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Post by cirquebound on Apr 5, 2016 6:52:06 GMT -7
Thanks y'all!
I just bought some batteries and metal bowls. Looking forward to some dry tips. New England is clammy for my wet hands!
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Post by MarkAnderson on Apr 5, 2016 13:51:54 GMT -7
Let us know how it goes.
Jon/Lamont,
Are either of you guys interested in writing a guest blog post about this for RCTM.com?
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Post by jcm on Apr 5, 2016 17:27:25 GMT -7
Yeah, I had already been starting to think about maybe writing about this experiment. RCTM makes sense as a good venue to spread this info, since most people crazy enough to electrocute their hands are probably also already reading this site. I'd be happy to write it myself, and/or collaborate with Slim if he wanted to join in on the fun.
What I think is interesting about this experiment is that as far as I can tell there isn't any information out there about people with reasonably average skin moisture using iontophoresis to optimize skin condition for climbing. Pretty much all the currently available information is for people trying to treat hyperhidrosis. I don't have hyperhidrosis; my skin and hand sweatiness is pretty average, but I want drier and tougher skin that works better for climbing. The question here is whether this method can be scaled down to dry out average skin in a small and controlled way (answer seems to be yes). I think this could be an interesting bit of information to put out there.
I have a bit more experimentation that I'd like to do with "dosage" and timing before putting out a write-up, but I could be able to do it later this spring.
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Post by Chris W on Apr 5, 2016 20:29:12 GMT -7
I wonder if my wife would have me institutionalized if I tried this. I'll have to do a little of my own research, but it sounds intriguing.
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Post by Lundy on Apr 6, 2016 8:00:20 GMT -7
RCTM makes sense as a good venue to spread this info, since most people crazy enough to electrocute their hands are probably also already reading this site. This is an amazing insight. I love it.
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Post by MarkAnderson on Apr 6, 2016 8:20:40 GMT -7
I wonder if my wife would have me institutionalized if I tried this. I'll have to do a little of my own research, but it sounds intriguing. I warned Kate that she might see something along these lines occur in the near future and she was convinced I'm going to kill myself. I told her it was better than rubbing a carcinogen on my fingers but that didn't seem to provide much relief. She's put up with a ridiculous amount of insanity from me, but this could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
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Post by cirquebound on Apr 6, 2016 12:19:34 GMT -7
Glad to hear that other partners are also convinced that we are insane! --> STILL looking forward to slightly electrocuting myself
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Post by alexandra on Apr 6, 2016 13:22:32 GMT -7
To quote my favorite poet "Some people never go crazy. I pity them" Back to the topic. I have used antihydral after reading some posts here and there and do not like it. I have only applied it to my tips and it seems like if anything, it makes my tips hurt more when I climb. My tips don't sweat much usually, however my palms do sweat a bunch and I was a little reluctant to put a large amount and spread it over my palms. Would you say (for those of you who have used it) that Tite Grip is safe(r) /less sketchy to use on the palms? I was not doing anything more than twice a week of antihydral and planning to do the same amount for any other product, cause I really don't want over dry hands...
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Post by Chris W on Apr 7, 2016 4:40:44 GMT -7
Do any of you engineer types know how the electricity of the iontophoresis would compare to the electricity of an electric fence on a farm? I know I've grabbed those without any issues, but never with bare feet. My dad did that once after we set up the new fence on the farm and, apparently, it packed quite a punch.
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Post by slimshaky on Apr 8, 2016 9:35:14 GMT -7
30 volts...yikes. Even the 12 volts lantern battery can be a bit intense. That said, adjusting the intensity seems to be pretty easy, by changing the amount of electrolyte (salt) added.
Since you've been on the iontophoresis program for 5 years, how has it worked out on this time scale? Any long-term issues that are not evident at first? i did start for a few months with a couple of 6 volt batteries in series, then moved up to the 30 volt box. i think i have the hidrex gs400 (not sure it is packed away at the moment). IIRC it goes up to 60 volts. over time, i have found that i can increase the voltage and my hands/feet get used to it. i think i do my hands around 24 volts and my feet around 30 volts. the device has current limiting and other safety features. pretty slick setup. i haven't really used it the last year or so, but i did use it for various periods over 3 or 4 years and i thought it was really, really helpful. i definitely plan on using again when things settle down. i didn't have any side effects that i know of. i think it has been researched fairly thoroughly as it is a common method for folks who sweat a lot, as well as for other medical processes. mark, i would be up for writing something but i probably won't be able to do so until late summer (by which time, unfortunately, it won't be the full on sweaty season).
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Post by slimshaky on Apr 8, 2016 9:35:50 GMT -7
Thanks y'all! I just bought some batteries and metal bowls. Looking forward to some dry tips. New England is clammy for my wet hands! just don't use a car battery
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Post by slimshaky on Apr 8, 2016 9:37:55 GMT -7
.. I'd be happy to write it myself... feel free to write something up jcm, you might be able to do so in a timely manner. i am still amazed how many climbers have ever heard of iontophoresis. i have only met one climber, ever, who knew about it.
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Post by slimshaky on Apr 8, 2016 9:46:17 GMT -7
...Would you say (for those of you who have used it) that Tite Grip is safe(r) /less sketchy to use on the palms? I was not doing anything more than twice a week of antihydral and planning to do the same amount for any other product, cause I really don't want over dry hands... I think tite grip would be quite a bit less sketchy. i have used it for quite a while and i think it is great. i use it before every climbing/training session. i like to use it, and then use a bit of liquid chalk throughout the day. i have pretty sweaty hands though - so i would recommend starting small and seeing how it goes. another thing i do (yet another thing that creeps everybody out... is using hoofmaker and blue goo on my hands and sleeping with cotton work gloves when my skin is dry an beat up at the end of the day. on the other hand, i have a pretty full tube of antihydral that i don't use. i just really didn't like my skin after using antihydral, i might try using it a bit on my feet though, in particular the callous areas on my toes to see if it toughens them up a bit.
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Post by slimshaky on Apr 8, 2016 9:52:14 GMT -7
Do any of you engineer types know how the electricity of the iontophoresis would compare to the electricity of an electric fence on a farm? I know I've grabbed those without any issues, but never with bare feet. My dad did that once after we set up the new fence on the farm and, apparently, it packed quite a punch. using the pair of 6 volt batteries, as well as the 30V box - it definitely feels like grabbing an electric fence when you dunk your hands. you also get a bonus jolt when you take your hands out . with an actual machine there isn't really a jolt - you just put your hands in and they slowly start tingling. then at the very end, the timer beeps and you take your hands out. it is definitely a lot better than just using the batteries. with the batteries it is kind of like jumping into an icy lake - 1,2,3 BIZZZATTT!
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Post by Chris W on Apr 8, 2016 20:32:14 GMT -7
Interesting. I still think my dad's nuts for trying the fence without shoes on. I don't dare give it a go; I have metal in my chest. Then again, the last time I studied electricity I earnest was in college taking physics. Fun class...
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