Comparison of topical methenamine, glutaraldehyde and tap water iontophoresis for palmoplantar hyperhidrosis

Abstract

Sixty patients with palmo-plantar Hyperhidrosis were studied to compare the efficacy and safety of topical methenamine in the treatment of palmo-plantar hyperhidrosis with established therapies like glutaraldehyde and tap water iontophoresis. Patients were randomly allocated to 3 treatment groups: topical Methenamine (10%) solution, topical Glutaraldehyde (5% for palms and 10% for soles) and tap water iontophoresis.
Hyperhidrosis was graded into 4 grades. The total duration of therapy was 4 weeks for all the 3 groups. Patients were followed up weekly for 4 weeks and 2weeks after completion of therapy. Response to therapy was evaluated by the change in the grade of hyperhidrosis. Side-effects like irritation and pigmentation were looked for at every follow up. Wilcoxon’s rank sum test was used for comparison between changes in grading of 2 groups. It showed that methenamine is superior to tap water iontophoresis and acts faster than glutaraldehyde. Fewer side effects were noted with mether amine.