A Polymer Film Device to Treat Excessive Palmar Sweating

Study Summary

Perspiration or sweating is a normal physiological response to increased body temperature, environmental heat and humidity, emotions, nervousness, or physical exertion. Perspiration occurs when sweat is secreted from sweat glands, travels through sweat ducts and exits sweat pores to coat the skin's surface. The evaporation of sweat from the skin dissipates heat and is the primary thermoregulatory mechanism used by humans and primates. Excessive sweating beyond what is required for maintaining body temperature homeostasis is termed hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis is idiopathic affecting the palmar, plantar, axillary, or craniofacial regions bilaterally, while secondary hyperhidrosis is less common and is often a side effect of medication or an underlying pathology. Primary hyperhidrosis may affect up to 4.8% of the US population, yet it is widely underreported and undertreated. Hyperhidrosis can negatively impact daily activities, cause significant stress, limit social interactions, and reduce the quality of life for patients. In particular, excessive palmar sweating interferes with professional activities (e.g., shaking hands, working with tools, or wearing exam gloves) and degrades sports performance. Hyperhidrosis (HH) is especially difficult to treat on the hands and feet, with clinical care beginning with prescription strength topical aluminum chloride hexahydrate antiperspirants such as DrySol or Secret Clinical, and OTC products (e.g., Carpe). However, prescription strength aluminum chloride antiperspirants are often ineffective, can be irritating and leave a residue that degrades skin texture and grip. Currently, iontophoresis is the only medical device approved for treating palmar and plantar HH, but these devices are expensive (\~$1,500), uncomfortable to use and are time consuming (30 minutes sessions, 3-4 times a week for several months). Oral anticholinergic medicines such as oxybutynin are often prescribed but they have unwanted side effects inclu

Primary Outcome

Participants will be assessed for a mean change in hand sweating severity score from Baseline to Day 1 and Day 7 post-treatment. Participants are asked "How would you rate the severity of your hyperhidrosis?" (1) My sweating is never noticeable and never interferes with my daily activities (2) My sweating is tolerable but sometimes interferes with my daily activities (3) My sweating is barely tolerable and frequently interferes with my daily activities (4) My sweating is intolerable and always i

Conditions Studied

Interventions

• DEVICE Polymer Skin Barrier

Study Locations (1)