Managing Perspiration: How to Keep Your Hands from Sweating

Excessive hand sweating is a common yet discomforting phenomenon. For those who have this condition, simple daily tasks can become awkward and challenging. This condition, known as palmar hyperhidrosis, can be mitigated by a few methods.

Before diving into the methods of controlling hand sweat, it’s important to understand why our hands sweat excessively in the first place. Sweating is essentially our body’s process of cooling down. Our sweat glands get the cue to start producing sweat when our body temperature rises. However, some people’s sweat glands are overly active, leading to excessive sweating, even when they are not overheated. This can impact various parts of the body, including hands, feet, armpits, and face.

Now that we’ve understood what causes excessive hand sweating, let’s move forward to the methods of how to control and manage it:

Antiperspirants

The most common tactic for dealing with excessive hand sweating is using an antiperspirant. Just like antiperspirants for underarm sweat, there are similar products for hand sweat. They work by forming a plug on top of your sweat glands, which prevents sweat from coming to the surface of your skin.

Oral Medications

Oral medications such as anticholinergic drugs can reduce sweating. These work by inhibiting the sweat glands from producing sweat excessively. However, they should be taken under the guidance of a health professional due to potential side effects.

Iontophoresis

This involves using a device that sends a low voltage current through water into your hands, blocking the sweat from reaching the surface of the skin. It’s a procedure that can be done at home or in a clinic and can reduce sweat production by 81%.

Botox Injections

Getting Botox injections in the hands can block the nerves that trigger your sweat glands. It’s a procedure that you’ll need to repeat every 4 to 6 months but it’s quite effective at reducing hand sweat.

ETS Surgery

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is a more drastic measure for severe cases. It involves cutting or clamping the nerves that signal the sweat glands but is generally considered a last resort because of the possible side effects.

Also, it is worth noting that, apart from the hands, feet can also sweat excessively. This condition is referred to as plantar hyperhidrosis and is similarly discomforting. However, the ways to treat excessive sweating are quite similar, be it for hands, feet, or underarms.A foot bath with a low voltage current, antiperspirants for feet, and oral medications are some of the effective methods for hyperhidrosis treatment feet.

In conclusion, excessive hand sweating can be controlled through multiple methods, but it’s crucial to also maintain good hygiene and health practices, including eating a healthy diet, staying well-hydrated, keeping stress levels to a minimum, and getting a regular exercise regimen. Remember, do not self-diagnose or self-medicate; always seek professional guidance for the best results.