When should iontophoresis not be used?
Contraindications are not very numerous but significant. Under no circumstances should patients with pacemakers with iontophoresis be treated by the current flow. Not because of the medication, but because of the current flow.
This can severely disturb the “current balance” of a pacemaker and its function can be impaired. Since the heart is “driven” by the body’s own electrical impulses, patients with cardiac arrhythmias should not be treated, as they can aggravate them and lead to life-threatening complications. In addition, iontophoresis should not be used on open or inflamed wounds or skin injuries.
Smaller defects can be covered with Vaseline and are thus shielded from the current and the affected persons can still be treated. Pregnant women should also not be exposed to current. Effects of the current on the child would be unpredictable and there are no studies that prove its harmlessness.
Even in patients with metal parts on their bodies, the pros and cons should be carefully weighed. Piercings can easily be removed, problematic are joint prostheses at knees or hips or also screws, nails or plates, which were inserted into broken body parts. Also the spiral for contraception is partly made of metal and should not be in the treatment area. Patients with disturbed pain sensation are also advised against therapy, as injuries such as burns may be noticed too late or not at all.
What are the side effects?
In general, electricity is not harmful to the body. In a few cases, light electric shocks may occur (especially when the body parts are moved in and out). However, this should be prevented if used carefully and correctly.
In extreme cases, pain and blistering are the result. This can be prevented by carefully checking the skin under the electrodes during treatment. Tingling or slight pricking has also been described, but this usually disappears by itself.
Directly after the treatment, the affected skin areas may be reddened and small blisters may appear. In the worst case, the altered areas under the electrodes can be damaged by burns. It is essential to inform the therapist about this in order to optimize the next treatments and prevent further damage.
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