Hyperhidrosis of the palms or, as it is called in wider circles, increased sweating of the palms, is a fairly common occurrence. When patients complain of increased sweating, many domestic doctors simply shrug their shoulders, while in many foreign countries this disorder has long been officially recognized as a disease, and in some it is even covered by health insurance.
Today, various methods are used in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.
Now our doctors spend whole years trying to get rid of hyperhidrosis, using all kinds of drugs in their practice, from formaldehyde to hypnosis. However, along with this, for about 50 years there has been a special technique for the treatment of hyperhidrosis of various parts of the body, including the palms, which is sometimes also called palmar hyperhidrosis.
Since it has received official status as a disease in countries such as Austria, Italy, the UK, Argentina and Brazil, its treatment is covered by health insurance. In our country, such progress has not yet been observed, although practice shows that hyperhidrosis of the palms is a constraining condition that significantly limits a person and excludes the possibility of occupying a number of positions.
Sweaty palms - reasons
Hyperhidrosis, or increased sweating, can be general and localized. In the first case, it occurs with increased physical activity, increased ambient temperature, anxiety and certain diseases. A person sweats, and this is natural, regardless of age and gender. However, the body’s thermoregulation does not affect the palms, therefore, when the palms sweat, the reasons should be sought in collaboration with a specialist. Possible factors influencing localized hyperhidrosis may include:
1. Unpleasant surprises from the endocrine system - incorrect activity of the pituitary gland or adrenal glands, dysfunction of the thyroid gland.
2. Frequent stress and psycho-emotional stress.
3. Genetic predisposition - usually associated with an increase in the number of sweat glands on the palms or their excessive activity.
4. Vegetative-vascular dystonia - especially important in adolescence. The process is under the control of the autonomic nervous system and affects not only the palms, but also the feet.
5. Palms sweat - the reasons may simply lie in poor nutrition. Are you consuming too much overly spicy food, and are there enough vitamins in your diet?
To reliably establish the causes of a process that can develop self-doubt and excessive shyness, it is easier to consult a doctor. With such a problem, you should consult a therapist, neurologist or endocrinologist. Only by acting on the source of trouble, and not on external manifestations, can an effective result be achieved.
How to get rid
Depending on the stage of the disease, the treatment method is selected. For mild sweating of the palms, you can use traditional medicine methods. If a person has been sick for a long time, he will need drug treatment. In especially severe cases, surgical treatment is used: the innervation of the sweat glands is blocked.
What to do with hyperhidrosis:
- Pay due attention to personal hygiene. You need to wash under running warm water, in the summer at least 2 times a day. Sweating increases from a bath, hot water, sauna.
- Do not eat foods that cause sweating.
Important! For hyperhidrosis, antiperspirants are used only as a temporary remedy to help with unpleasant odor.
Sweaty palms - diagnosis
A doctor can make a diagnosis of hyperhidrosis at the first visit. After carefully listening to complaints about increased sweating, its location and the circumstances of its occurrence, the doctor conducts a small test. If your palms are sweaty, the diagnosis consists of conducting a Minor test, which requires only an iodine solution and starch powder. Iodine is applied to clean and dry skin of the palm. After it has completely dried, starch is sprinkled on top, which, when interacting with sweat, acquires a purple hue. The doctor carefully measures the diameter of the painted surface and makes a diagnosis based on this - the size indicates the degree of the disease:
- less than 10 centimeters - weak form;
- from 10 to 20 centimeters - average;
- more than 20 cm - severe form of hyperhidrosis.
As you can see, if your palms sweat, diagnosis is not difficult. If necessary, to clarify the causes of the disease, the doctor may prescribe an additional examination.
Medical treatments
For treatment of this disorder to be effective, it is very important to consult a specialist in a timely manner. Medicines, folk remedies, and surgery help to cope with the disease
Medications
Medicines that need to be taken at regular intervals help to cope with the disease. Atropine is considered one of the most effective drugs. This medicine dries out the sweat on the palms. However, the drug also has side effects - dry mouth and dilated pupils. As a result, there is a risk of vision impairment. Therefore, atropine is not always used.
Another category of medicines includes sedatives - infusion of valerian or peony . Also, treatment at home is often carried out using homeopathic sedatives. They have a beneficial effect on the nervous system of patients with sweating, because constant thoughts about the problem provoke neuroses.
Sweaty palms - treatment
When your palms sweat, treatment must be comprehensive. The use of various sprays and lotions will help get rid of the external manifestations of the disease, and medications and therapeutic and preventive procedures effectively affect the cause of the disease. It should be noted that if your palms sweat, treatment should include, if necessary, menu adjustments, taking antidepressants, and certainly maintaining personal hygiene.
For external use, solutions of aluminum hexachloride or glutaraldehyde, tannin and formalin are successfully used. However, they all have some toxicity, so they should be prescribed by a doctor and used strictly in the recommended dosage. If used incorrectly, they can complicate an existing problem with skin rashes and itching.
Sweaty palms - treatment may include the latest effective procedures. Botox injections are well known to the fair half of humanity for their unique properties in rejuvenating facial skin. By acting on certain muscles, the drug is able to permanently eliminate treacherous wrinkles and restore former attractiveness. However, Botox has been known to doctors for quite a long time, and was previously used in the treatment of various neuralgic diseases. It turns out that the drug can cope with excessive sweating of the hands no less successfully. It is injected under the skin at certain points on the palms and blocks acetylcholine, without which the glands will not be able to secrete sweat. The procedure lasts about an hour, is absolutely safe and harmless, and the spectacular 100% result will please you for 7-8 months. However, its cost is not affordable for everyone, so you can try a different method.
Another pleasant innovation is the drone device. Twenty minutes of immersion in water, through which a weak electric current is passed, eliminates general excessive sweating. Topical application based on the same principle, called iontophoresis, helps protect the handles from excess moisture. The baths are filled with a special medicinal solution and the electrodes are lowered into them. Under the influence of current, ions of the active substance inhibit the sweat glands, and for six months the palms will remain dry even in extreme situations. However, it is necessary to undergo several sessions until the unpleasant symptoms completely disappear. After 6 months, the course of treatment can be repeated.
Palms sweat - treatment can also be surgical. An operation called sympathectomy involves blocking the nerve trunks responsible for regulating sweating. Surgical intervention is carried out at a high level and in most cases helps to reliably get rid of the problem. The disadvantages include the possible manifestation of increased sweating in another place and, as a side effect, the occurrence of compensatory sweating, which can sometimes exceed the initial level.
To summarize, we can state that if your palms are sweaty, treatment can be both long-term and pleasantly quick. The most effective and do not require lengthy procedures are surgery and Botox injections. The remaining methods encourage patience and careful execution, but the result will certainly be positive and will allow you to forget about the discomfort in communication. In parallel with the treatment prescribed by the doctor, the use of traditional medicine recipes is very effective, which reliably relieves the external manifestations of the disease.
How a former “hard worker” was able to get rid of arthritis and osteochondrosis in a month
15 million people die every year due to parasites! How to save your life
Elena Malysheva: “one step from obesity to anorexia”
Sweaty palms - is it so scary?
Hyperhidrosis of the palms is one of the most common. People suffering from sweating in this part of the body often complain that an ordinary handshake or even a touch becomes a whole problem for them, which interferes with them both in their personal lives and communication with friends, and at work. In the latter case, the conclusion of a contract and the outcome of the transaction may depend on a good handshake, no matter how funny it may sound.
A strong, warm handshake has always been associated with open, trusting relationships. “Unclean”, “sick” and even “dishonest”... These are the epithets that are awarded to people with sweaty, cold palms. Therefore, many people who have a wide circle of contacts among their colleagues and people who have nothing to do with work strive to get rid of this unpleasant, inconvenient disease as quickly as possible.
A firm, warm handshake is a sign of trust and openness.
As you can see, the need for treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis is predominantly social in nature. A handkerchief or small towel is an indispensable attribute for a person suffering from this disease. Many people, due to their busyness or ignorance, believe that the only way to somehow smooth out the consequences of excessive sweating is to periodically wipe their palms with napkins or some kind of rag.
In addition, with palmar hyperhidrosis, it is difficult to use an ink pen and sign documents. In the first case, droplets of sweat leave streaks on the paper, in the second, just wet prints remain on it, which also causes some inconvenience at work.
An example of how palmar hyperhidrosis can affect work relationships and a person's well-being is, for example, an episode from the French comedy "Toy", in which a boss recklessly fires an employee because he has sweaty palms.
Sweaty palms - treatment with folk remedies
Ointments, infusions and baths prepared according to the recipes of our grandmothers successfully help solve an unpleasant problem. This is an excellent addition to drug treatment or a temporary solution for those who cannot find time to visit a doctor. Palms sweat - treatment with folk remedies contains many options, you can choose any of them.
1. Lemon is an affordable, fragrant and effective remedy in the fight against excessive sweating of the palms. To prepare the medicinal mixture, you will need to mix a spoonful of lemon juice, the same amount of alcohol and two tablespoons of glycerin. Mix thoroughly and lubricate the handles several times a day. Their tenderness and pleasant dryness will surprise and delight you in just 3-4 days. Regular baths with lemon juice are also useful - you only need one tablespoon per liter of water.
2. A tablespoon of ammonia per liter of warm water is the secret to preparing a medicinal bath for hands. The procedure lasts 20 minutes and is performed twice a day. Instead of ammonia, you can use sea salt.
3. A few drops of geranium or cypress oil added to your favorite hand cream will turn it into an effective remedy for sweaty palms, and at the same time help strengthen your nails.
4. Homemade cream - don’t be too lazy to make it, its effectiveness has been tested. Mix dry nettle, dandelion, calendula and plantain in equal proportions. Pour a tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water and leave for about an hour. Take 50 grams of chicken or pork fat, add 2 teaspoons of castor oil, 1 tablespoon of honey and herbal infusion (2 tablespoons). Lubricate your hands at night, the results will not take long to arrive.
5. Contrast rinses and subsequent baths using natural ingredients are an excellent treatment for sweaty palms. Sage, oak bark, black tea, regular or sea salt, chamomile, and nettle give excellent results.
When your palms sweat, treatment with folk remedies is quite effective, although it requires regularity and time. A little patience, desire and perseverance will definitely be rewarded with a successful result.
What to do if your hands sweat
First, try simple methods of dealing with wet palms, the implementation of which will not require serious effort from you.
Rub your palms with apple cider vinegar
Natural vinegar brings the pH of the skin back to normal, and at the same time promotes faster evaporation of sweat. It is best to wipe your hands to prevent them from sweating in the evening, after all cleansing procedures have already been completed, that is, just before going to bed. It will be very good if you can sleep without washing the vinegar off your palms. Otherwise, keep it for at least half an hour.
Drink more fluid
Yes, yes, it sounds crazy, but it will help your hands sweat less. A sufficient level of moisture is a key link in the body’s thermoregulation. And we are not talking about plain water, but any liquid that helps quench thirst.
Cool down
Overheating is the main factor that stimulates sweating. Therefore, if your hands often sweat, do not forget to monitor the air temperature in the room where you spend a lot of time. Also, simply rinsing your hands in cool water helps with wet palms.
Use alcohol hand rubs
Or alcohol-based sanitary napkins, which are sold in any chain store. Alcohol has the property of evaporating faster than water, which allows it to more effectively remove heat from the palms.
Change your skin care products
If you use oily hand creams, then be aware that while protecting the outer part, they harm the inner part - the palms. The applied cream impedes natural heat dissipation, which only aggravates the problem of wet palms. If you can no longer live without them, then use less “heavy” nourishing creams, giving preference to “lighter” ones.
Use baby powder
The main components of powders are talc and starch, which perfectly absorb excess water. Why say anything else when powders are simply designed to absorb excess moisture so that children don’t get heat rash. Therefore, when wondering what to do if your hands sweat, think about powders. The effect lasts up to several hours.
If you are embarrassed to use powders or don’t have them on hand, then separate talc or starch will also work.
Buy hand antiperspirant
In our modern age, if not everything has been invented, then a lot has been invented. So antiperspirants for palms based on aluminum chloride, designed to suppress the activity of sweat glands, exist. You need to use them before bed, when your hands are already clean, but not yet sweaty (dry).
Perform a massage using baking soda
Baking soda helps reduce sweating and increase the rate of sweat evaporation.
Recipe for a soda mixture for hand massage: pour two tsp. soda one tbsp. l. water at room temperature. It is necessary to make rubbing movements with the resulting mass for five minutes. Then wash your hands in cool water.
Have a sage sachet with you
Dried sage leaves have an astringent effect, which reduces sweating and also eliminates odor. To get rid of sweaty hands, carry small cloth bags filled with the plant and rub them in your hands from time to time.
In addition, sage baths can also help with wet palms. Pour 1 liter of boiling water over a handful of dry sage leaves, let the broth brew and cool, and then put your palms in it for 20-25 minutes.
Sweaty palms - prevention
If sweaty hands only bother you occasionally, preventative measures will help you avoid more significant problems in the future. By following simple tips, you can significantly reduce the frequency of unpleasant processes and their intensity. When your palms sweat, prevention in the form of losing excess weight, normalizing your menu, or avoiding stress is quite effective. Additionally, try:
- regularly visit the sauna or bathhouse to remove toxins;
- do not eat too hot food;
- fall in love with daily contrast showers;
- use special cosmetics;
- Use antibacterial soap to wash your hands.
And in conclusion, I want to reassure you that science does not stand still; in recent years, active work has been carried out to find the latest methods of getting rid of the problem of hyperhidrosis. If your palms sweat, prevention will help you wait until the time when a reliable, optimal way to cure excessive sweating is successfully found.
Iontophoresis for sweaty hands
If you have been examined and found out why your palms are sweating, the doctor may offer you a long-known method of therapy - iontophoresis. It is based on the ionic principle: a weak electric current is passed through water, which literally soaks the sweaty areas of the skin (in this case, the palms). Mild and moderate hyperhidrosis is perfectly treated in this way.
Modern devices that work on this principle are called electronic antiperspirants. You can undergo a similar procedure in a clinic, but you can purchase equipment at home. Multifunctional devices with a set of adapters are on sale today - they allow you to control excessive sweating of the forehead, chest, buttocks, feet and palms.
If you intend to buy a portable electronic antiperspirant for home use, it is still recommended that you take the first treatment course in a medical facility. You will understand the principle of operation of the device and will not make mistakes in home treatment.
