3% Formalin Solution was used once upon a time as a paint for hyperidrosis. It can cause skin irritation and because there are safer synthetic alternatives available has kind of passed into history. Formalin in higher percentages is also a preservative and is the solution anatomical specimens are bathed in.
thanks Stephen and toeslayer. I normally recomend the over the counter antiperspirants (duofresh, deofresh), but they dont work for some...anyone have any favourites to recomend? Anyone tried iontophoresis? Results?
After that if it was just excessively sweaty feet, send them off to their local dermatologist for assessment and suitability for the other treatments that Steve mentioned.
However if they had the associated bacterial infection which produces the most foulest odour on the face of the earth (Pitted keratolysis) my favourite pharmacist tweeked a mix of 5% formalin in 70% alcohol solution which generally gets rid of it in under a week. The directions are that it should only be used for a max of 3 weeks if it continues, after that - referral to GP for topical Ab's.
The pharm mentioned in this concentration it was just as effective however diluted enough that it minimised the harmful effects. Is also super cheap to make and for the patient. Just need to find a pharmacist that knows how to mix stuff up.
My patients still get it dispensed by the new pharmacists so I presume it can't be that bad? Happy to hear other thoughts though.