In the medical field there are several ways in which a patient can get medicine into their body. There are pills, capsules, powders and granules mixed into fluids and drank. There are injections (e.g. botox injections)  and some medications go under the tongue and are absorbed through the mucus membranes in the mouth. Some medications come in patch form and some are given electricity through the skin by an electric charge.

Iontophoresis or the electronic drug administration is a way of delivering a potent medication through the skin using an electric charge. Medicated skin patches are placed on the skin and slowly dissolved through the skin and depending on the type of medication the patch stays on the skin from a few days up to a week. This system is much the same, only it is delivered through the skin and body more rapidly by and electric charge.

A cylinder with medicine used to be hooked up to these patches to deliver the electric current. Researches have developed a patch that has a self contained area of medication and electrodes in it that will self administer the medication. This patch has a flashing led on the top that the nurse or doctor is able to monitor for medication results and effectiveness. These patches are latex free in you happen to have a latex allergy.

Some patients have a condition where they sweat profusely on the hands known as “sweaty palms” , face, neck, under the arms and on their back, called hyperhydrosis and they rely on an iontophoresis machine to greatly resolve their problem. Hands or feet are placed into a container of water where a very weak electric current goes through the water and through the sweat glands to inhibit excessive sweating. Many people say that this is not painful but it is somewhat uncomfortable. Most all patients endure the uncomfortable feeling of this procedure because of such positive results. Some patients also report that the more expensive machines cause no discomfort at all. Patients find that only 10 minutes a week will take away most of their symptoms.

Sometimes people will try to replicate an Iontophoresis machine at home and they are dangerous to use because of the risk of electric shock, this is why you need a good guide. The amount of current in a good purchased machine is not high enough to cause shock and is also not high enough if you follow a step by step Iontophoresis device building guide.  If you know how to build a Iontophoresis machine, it is not difficult and using a homemade Iontophoresis machine is not dangerous at all.