Excessive sweating of the palms, or palmoplantar hyperhidrosis, often begins around the age of 13 and continues throughout life. Sweaty hands can be embarrassing and interfere with some activities, but the good news is that regular attention to the problem, combined with medical treatments, can help reduce humidity. Learn some quick fixes and some long-term solutions to deal with the problem of sweaty hands.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part 1: Quick Remedies
Step 1. Wash your hands
Sweaty hands don't dry on their own, so you'll need to wash them more often than normal people to keep them dry. Wash them when the amount of sweat starts to bother you, then dry them well with a towel.
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When you are not washing your hands before eating or after using the bathroom, you can only rinse them with water. This way you will avoid drying the skin on the back of your hands due to excessive use of soap.
Treat Sweaty Hands Step 1Bullet2 Step 2. Bring an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (non-antibacterial) with you, for situations where you can't wash your hands in a sink
A splash of alcohol will temporarily dry out the sweat.
Treat Sweaty Hands Step 1Bullet3 Step 3. Bring a cloth handkerchief or packet of paper handkerchiefs with you so you can dry your hands when you need them
Use them before shaking someone's hand.
Step 4. Cool your hands
Many people sweat their hands when their bodies heat up slightly, so cooling them can be a quick and effective remedy. Keep your hands in front of a fan or air conditioner to dry out the moisture and slow down the production of sweat.
- To quickly cool your hands when you are not at home, find a bathroom and put your hands under cold water, then dry them well with a paper towel.
- Avoid getting too hot. Don't use a stove unless absolutely necessary, and turn down the thermostat in your room.
Step 5. Sprinkle some powder on your hands
If you are at home and don't mind having white hands, sprinkle some powder on them to temporarily absorb sweat. It can help if sweaty hands prevent you from doing daily activities like lifting weights, jumping rope, or completing chores that require a tight grip. Try the following types of powder:
- Borotalco, perfumed or unscented.
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Baking soda or corn starch.
Method 2 of 3: Part 2: Lifestyle Changes
Treat Sweaty Hands Step 4Bullet1 Step 1. Don't use items that make you sweat
Keeping your hands free of clothing or products that block the flow of air will prevent them from remaining moist. Gloves, pot holders and other items that cover your hands. Wear them if it is very cold outside of course, but avoid wearing gloves indoors or in situations where they are not needed. Gloves can be helpful in hiding the sweat in your hands, but they will keep your hands so warm that they will sweat more than normal.
Treat Sweaty Hands Step 4Bullet2 Step 2. Lotions and other petroleum-based skin products
Glycerin is used by people with dry skin to trap moisture, and has the same effect on sweaty skin. Glycerin can cause your hands to become greasy and not cause sweat to dry out. The same goes for coconut oil and other cosmetic oils used to moisturize the skin.
Treat Sweaty Hands Step 5 Step 3. Start using an antiperspirant
You may not have thought about using an antiperspirant on your hands, because they are generally reserved for the armpits, but those substances can help you a lot.
- Choose an unscented "clinical intensity" antiperspirant that contains aluminum zirconium.
- There are prescription-only antiperspirants available that contain aluminum chloride hexahydrate, a very strong chemical agent; consult your doctor.
Treat Sweaty Hands Step 6 Step 4. Stay relaxed
Excessive sweating is often triggered by anxiety and stress. Practice meditation, yoga, or other activities that help reduce stress and prevent stimulation of your sweat glands.
- If you sweat thinking about a problem that worries you, find a solution and deal with it. If you need help, talk to a psychologist.
- For a quick fix to sweating from anxiety, sit down, close your eyes, and take deep breaths. Try to calm your mind before moving on with your day.
Method 3 of 3: Part 3: Medical Treatments
Treat Sweaty Hands Step 7 Step 1. Learn about iontophoresis
This procedure involves using water to send an electric current under the skin, which will temporarily prevent sweating.
- During iontophoresis, the hands are immersed in water while an electric current is sent through the liquid. You may feel tingling, but the procedure is not painful.
- Iontophoresis kits are available for home use. Consult your doctor and buy one to use at any time.
Treat Sweaty Hands Step 8 Step 2. Take oral medications
Oral anticholinergic medications stop sweating as a side effect, so doctors sometimes prescribe them to treat excessive hand sweating.
- It may be a good option if you are not an athlete, but if you are an active person, it can be dangerous to interfere with the body's production of sweat, which serves to cool the body that is overheated due to training.
- Anticholinergic drugs can cause dry mouth and other side effects.
Treat Sweaty Hands Step 9 Step 3. Ask about Botox injections
Botox injections, which are often used to smooth facial wrinkles or swell the lips, can also be used to block the nerves that produce sweat. However, the injections can be painful, and stop excessive sweating only temporarily.
Treat Sweaty Hands Step 10 Step 4. Consider a sympathectomy
This procedure involves the surgical removal of a nerve inside the chest, permanently stopping the sending of signals that control the body's sweating.
- This surgery should only be considered as a last resort, because in half of the cases, the body compensates by producing more sweat in different areas. This may solve your hand sweat problem, but you may notice increased sweating on your back or other areas.
- If you want to undergo this procedure, find an experienced surgeon who has already done it. Do not attempt such a risky procedure under the knife of a surgeon who is unfamiliar with the process.
