Formalin and Hyperhidrosis
Basically Formalin is cytotoxic and with its strong affinity for water will enter the sweat gland and from my understanding denature the cell walls. Regrowth occurs eventually.
I normally apply formalin for treatment of pitting keratoloysis which, in my opinion, should be the main stay of treatment for all cases.
It is applied once daily at 10% concentration for 1 week. Depending on results the patient can continue on for a further week or two if necessary. No doubt the condition will recur but probably not for another 6 months. Hence it is repeated as necessary.
Formaldehyde can be quite irritating to the skin. This varies from the type of skin it is applied to, to the genetics of the individual. Axillae I have never tried it on but I assume it would be more irritating . I would suggest daily applications at 3% for a week and then see how it goes. If it does nothing then try twice daily for a week. If still no significant irritation but not enough effect then bump it up to 10% and try the same process again.
Don’t need to wipe off just let it evaporate. Just apply with gauze or cotton wool. Tried to avoid regular contact with your fingers as it will dry them out.
posted by Equusmedical at 10:45 PM
3 Comments:
is there anyone who can help?
i know all the rave is about formalin and hyperhidrosis, im enquiring about anhidrosis. after seeing a regular patient for a few months now, i have hit a brick wall. this 40 year old with no relevant medical history has had sever chronic anhidrotic heels B/F for over 2 years with fissures that bleed by just a few steps of walking. before seeing myself patient was regularly seen by her GP then referred off to a dermatologist however to minimal success. Patient has tried "everything under the sun" from creams, to occlusive dressings, etc. past treatments include, most of the emolients seen at pharmacies (her daughter works at one thus has tried heaps)-plastic bags at night/footwear, daily soaking/footbaths all have been tried. blood tests and swabs have come back negative and all is ok. however it has only been in the last few months that some improvement has occurred- the bleeding has gone along with some fissures: the patient has lost about >10kgs, also is using an ointment called WHITFIELD"S. anyhow im unsure what else i can do? do anyone have any handy tips?
21 February 2005 10:47 AM
Given the -ve cultures (I assume) then the patient should have a punch biopsy done to assess skin tissue. If it is apparent that there is parakeratosis then you could assume psoriasis is involved and treat as such. If not it may give an indication to other possible problems (dermatitis).
Potent steroid ointment maybe the best option (if not already tried)(Betnovate ointment).
It appears the patient is overweight i.e. has improved with loss of weight. There is an almost linear correlation in many people between heel fissures and obesity. The weight goes down and the cracks go. Hence this may be the best thing you can offer (albeit difficult to implement).
Otherwise, long soaks and gentle pumicing could be an option.
Hope this helps,
Matt
21 February 2005 4:30 PM
im really struggling to find some formalin, the chemists are rarely stocking it these days. i need some in the next few days, where can i get it? thanks
21 March 2005 1:42 PM
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