Your sweaty palms could be due to a condition called hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). Your body produces sweat when it needs to cool itself during exercise, in warm weather, or in stressful situations. While sweating may be normal in any of those occasions, some people secrete more sweat than they need to cool their bodies.
Many people suffer from excessive sweating without really knowing its underlying causes while others simply live with it thinking that there is no treatment for it. Hyperhidrosis usually affects the palms, feet and face, which causes embarrassment and interferes with daily activities.
Causes of Sweaty Palms
Emotional stimuli
The first type of excessive sweating (primary focal hyperhidrosis) is believed to be caused by emotional stimuli. Doctors are unable to explain why this occurs but it may be hereditary as it is often seen in families.
Underlying medical condition
Certain health conditions are associated with the second type of excessive sweating (generalised hyperhidrosis). These include menopause, low blood sugar, leukemia, lymphoma, heart attack, malignancy, neurologic or endocrine disorder, spinal cord injury, or an infectious disease.
Symptoms
You may be suffering from hyperhidrosis if you experience the following:
- frequent, noticeable, excessive perspiration that can soak through clothing
- abnormally excessive and bothersome sweat on your feet, underarms, head or face
- clamminess or dripping of sweat droplets on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet
Treatment
Excessive sweating that is caused by an illness or disease requires medical attention for the treatment of the underlying condition.
Antiperspirants
Over the counter antiperspirants which contain aluminum salts help control sweating by inhibiting the action of your sweat ducts. An antiperspirant may reduce the amount of perspiration that reaches your skin. Look for an antiperspirant, not just a deodorant, to control sweat. For best results, you should apply an antiperspirant nightly to sweaty palms.
Aside from applying an antiperspirant, you can reduce sweating with the following lifestyle changes:
Bathe daily
Regular bathing not only cools down your body to prevent sweating but also washes away excessive sweat that can lead to body odour and skin bacteria.
Use over-the-counter foot powders
You may also have sweaty feet if you have sweaty palms. Foot powders help absorb sweat. It is best to apply a good foot powder on your feet after every bath.
Wear shoes and socks made of natural materials
Natural materials like leather help prevent sweaty feet by allowing your feet to breathe. Cotton and wool socks also absorb moisture to help keep your feet dry. It is also best to change socks or hose once or twice a day.
Bring cotton handkerchiefs
Clean cotton hankies instantly remove sweat whenever you need it. Replace used hankies whenever necessary.
Choose natural fibre clothing
Natural fabrics such as cotton, wool and silk allow your skin to breathe and prevent excessive sweating. If you exercise, use workout clothes made of “dry-fit” materials that are highly absorbent to keep you dry.
Practise relaxation techniques
Yoga, meditation and biofeedback help you learn to control or reduce stress which may trigger excessive sweating.
Your sweaty palms need not lower your confidence in public. For as long as it is not caused by disease or some health problem, you can still live a normal life by making some lifestyle adjustments to manage its symptoms.
Originally published on Oct 14, 2009
