Although "sticky hands" can create hilarious scenes in various movies, in real life they can be very embarrassing when they are always covered in a veil of sweat. Don't settle for awkward handshakes or uncomfortable high-fives. Rather, take action! With a few simple tips, you will have no difficulty keeping them dry (or you can at least run for cover when you feel they sweat).
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Dry Sweaty Hands
Step 1. Use talcum powder or another type of absorbent powder
If you want to eliminate sweat from your hands in a simple and effective way over time, you have to absorb it! You can do this in various ways, for example by applying an absorbent powder. Try pouring a small amount of talcum powder onto your palms and spread it out with gentle, even strokes. You will notice an immediate feeling of freshness. Here are the various types of powder you could use:
- Plaster;
- Talc (keep in mind that it can be poisonous if inhaled in significant quantities);
- Corn starch (sometimes used specifically for this purpose in Spanish-speaking countries, where it is called "maizena");
- Sodium bicarbonate.
Step 2. Use an antiperspirant deodorant
Many people apply it under their arms every day to keep underarm sweating at bay. Believe it or not, you can achieve the same effect by using it on your palms. First, before applying it, dry them with a cloth so that the antiperspirant properly clogs the pores of the skin.
- Choose an antiperspirant, not a regular deodorant. Although they are often combined into one product, it is not the same thing. The former fights excessive sweating, while the latter inhibits the odor caused by sweat.
- For a stronger effect, use an antiperspirant made with aluminum. Aluminum is one of the strongest and most effective antiperspirants on the market. In severe cases, you may also want to ask your doctor if he can prescribe an antiperspirant that contains a higher concentration of aluminum.
Step 3. Bring a tissue or some alcohol wipes with you
If your hands are slightly sweaty, sometimes just using something that can absorb moisture throughout the day. Old cloth handkerchiefs are great for drying hands and can be reused at any time, while disposable paper handkerchiefs and alcohol wipes allow you to solve the problem quickly and comfortably.
Even though alcohol wipes are moistened, they don't leave your hands wet because the alcohol evaporates very quickly, taking sweat from your palms with it. In fact, those with delicate skin complain of severe dryness in the hands after using them
Step 4. Wash your hands more often
If you can't keep them dry, try washing them more frequently. Water and soap help eliminate sebum, promoting a feeling of freshness. So, if you have the ability to wash them multiple times throughout the day, you may want to keep them dry longer.
However, be aware that your skin may dry out if you wash it frequently, especially if you use soaps and cleansers that contain harsh substances. If you experience irritation or dryness from frequent washing, opt for a moisturizing soap. Generally, it is more unpleasant to have rough, chapped hands than slightly sweaty hands
Part 2 of 4: Preventing the Problem of Hyperhidrosis in the Hands
Step 1. Avoid greasy creams
If you are used to applying cream to your hands, this could also be the cause. Although some products (such as those based on antiperspirants) are able to absorb moisture, there is a risk that others will produce an opposite effect. Some substances, such as petroleum jelly, can even make your hands wetter or greasy. If you use creams often, consider changing the product to a lighter or "drying" one.
Step 2. Avoid pockets and gloves
Gloves, pockets, and other accessories that cover the hands can increase sweating. By trapping moisture and heat, they lead them to dripping and prevent sweat from evaporating. To fix this, leave your hands uncovered all day - if you can - to allow the moisture to evaporate naturally.
If it's too cold to keep them uncovered, try using fingerless gloves or gloves made from lighter materials. Ideally, they keep their hands warm while allowing the skin to breathe
Step 3. Avoid foods and drinks that make you sweat
Sometimes, even the diet can promote hyperhidrosis. Some dishes can trigger episodes of sudden sweating, worsening the problem of sticky hands. Therefore, avoid the following food sources if they are part of your usual diet:
- Spicy foods. Believe it or not, hot and spicy foods trigger the same reactions caused by physical heat, which often leads to sweating.
- Caffeine. Some people start sweating if they consume too much caffeine because it is a substance that stimulates the nervous system and consequently causes nervousness, physical restlessness, excitability, and so on. Often, the effect is greatest when consuming hot caffeinated drinks.
- Alcohol. In some people, excessive alcohol intake can promote sweating due to a process called vasodilation, characterized by the increase in the caliber of blood vessels that raises the temperature of the skin, giving a sensation of widespread heat in the body.
Step 4. Reduce Stress
Sometimes, hyperhidrosis in the hands is not caused by a pathological process, but rather indicates a reaction to the stress and nervousness of everyday life. In these cases, sweating is only a temporary solution. To achieve lasting relief, it is necessary to eliminate the underlying mental and emotional stress. There is no one-size-fits-all recipe. The tensions to which everyone is subjected are different, so if you think the problem is psychological in nature, try to consult your doctor or a psychotherapist. Here are some frequently used techniques and practices to manage stress:
- Yoga;
- Biofeedback;
- Meditation;
- Give up harmful habits and substances;
- Increase and / or diversify social relationships;
- Play sport;
- Reorganize private and working life.
Part 3 of 4: Seeking a Medical Solution
Step 1. Consider anticholinergics
If wet, runny hands are a serious problem that you haven't been able to solve using home remedies or lifestyle changes, consider seeing your doctor. A class of drugs that can treat excessive sweating (and therefore hyperhidrosis in the hands) are anticholinergics. They work by inhibiting the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that, among other things, controls the sweating of the body. However, be aware that anticholinergics can trigger side effects, including:
- Increased body temperature;
- Blurred vision
- Constipation;
- Dry mouth
- Confusional state;
- Drowsiness.
Step 2. Consider iontophoresis
It is a minimally invasive method that is used to help people suffering from hyperhidrosis. During the procedure, the patient is asked to keep their hands immersed in water for about half an hour, while a gentle stream of electric current passes through them, closing the pores of the skin and relieving sweating. The current is not strong enough to cause pain. To get better results, you need to undergo several sessions.
Although iontophoresis does not cause side effects, in rare cases it can involve dry skin, irritation and / or blisters
Step 3. Consider Botox injections
Although they are known for their wide use in cosmetics, in some cases they can be used to reduce excessive sweating. The treatment consists of injecting a small amount of botulinum toxin under the skin. In small doses, this toxin contracts skin tissues and interferes with a chemical that activates the sweat glands. Although several applications are required, botulinum injection therapy can inhibit hyperhidrosis for up to a year. Side effects include:
- Bruising and / or redness at the injection site;
- Headache;
- Flu symptoms;
- Muscle spasms and contractions;
- In very rare cases, dangerous symptoms of botulinum toxin poisoning (trouble breathing, difficulty speaking, visual disturbances, weakness).
Step 4. Consider surgery in extreme cases
If the problem of clammy or sweaty hands is unresponsive to any treatment and causes severe social distress, surgery is possible, although it is usually considered as a last resort. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is a surgical procedure in which portions of the sympathetic nerve trunk associated with sweating of the hands and armpits are incised and destroyed. Although it is sometimes considered a "minimally invasive" technique, in reality it is a delicate surgery, which is performed under general anesthesia. Although the postoperative course is generally not characterized by problems, there is a small risk of serious complications or even death (as in any major surgery).
- Note that ETS is a surgical technique that involves "permanent and irreversible" changes once performed.
- Also, it is important to know that the vast majority of patients who undergo this surgery to correct hyperhidrosis in the hands or armpits subsequently experience "compensatory sweating" (increased sweating) in other parts of the body.
Part 4 of 4: Using Alternative Remedies
Step 1. Try dipping your hands in the tea
On the Internet you can find numerous "alternative" or "natural" remedies to treat hyperhidrosis in the hands. While some therapists are quick to swear by the results of these treatments, there is very little scientific evidence (if any) to support their effectiveness. If you are looking for a simple treat, try dipping your hands in hot or lukewarm tea. For best results, soak them (or hold wet tea bags in your hand) 30 minutes a day, for a week.
Step 2. Try using apple cider vinegar
Another alternative remedy for hyperhidrosis in the hands is to use apple cider vinegar. Try soaking them in a bowl full of apple cider vinegar for five minutes each, then wash them with soap and water. Remember that water and soap can sometimes dry out your skin (see above).
Alternatively, you could take a bath by adding 240-480ml of vinegar before entering the tub
Step 3. Try herbal treatments
According to some alternative medicine sources, the consumption of certain "detoxifying" plants, such as turmeric, shatavari and patola (Trichosanthes Dioica), helps to relieve sweat in hands and feet. Although some of these plants are used in popular therapeutic practices of oriental origin (for example, turmeric is used as a phytotherapeutic remedy against indigestion and for its anti-inflammatory properties), there is little scientific evidence to support their efficacy in the treatment of hyperhidrosis or other pathologies.
While most "detox" remedies provide few quantifiable or measurable benefits, be aware that some can also cause unwanted (though rarely dangerous) effects
Step 4. Consider supplements or homeopathic treatments
A simple Internet search can point you to dozens of homeopathic or "natural" cures for sweaty hands. Often these are remedies that come in the form of herbal medicines, vitamins, pills, supplements, or a combination of these elements. Although their effectiveness is often advertised with rather bold claims, in reality no homeopathic treatment has been scientifically proven.
Also, as some homeopathic supplements are beyond the control of the regulatory bodies for such products, there is no guarantee that they comply with the quality standards of "normal" pharmaceuticals. For this reason, most doctors advise against blindly relying on homeopathic treatments
Advice
- Stress can stimulate sweating. Take it easy.
- Spicy foods can give your hands a pungent smell through sweating.
- Avoid common triggers, such as monosodium glutamate, curry, cumin, alcohol, and caffeine.
