The body controls its temperature by sweating. Everyone perspires, but having constantly sweaty hands can make one feel self-conscious. Experiencing sweaty palms all the time may be a cause of concern.
Sweaty palms can be a symptom of various medical conditions, including menopause and a normal life transition. A doctor may identify “palmar hyperhidrosis,” the medical term for sweaty palms, if the sweating is not a sign of an underlying illness.
No matter the cause, natural cures, and professional care can be beneficial. Discover the causes of sweaty palms in the section below, along with solutions.
Symptoms of sweaty palms all the time
Uncontrolled sweating in the hands’ palms is the main sign of sweaty palms. You might feel uneasy shaking hands with people, passing out papers at a meeting, or even typing on a keyboard because your palms might feel clammy or wet.
Sweating will occur independently, without external triggers like exercise or a rise in body temperature. Additionally, it can take place in any season or at any temperature. In times of anxiety or stress, the symptoms might get worse.
As a young child, you might experience the signs of sweaty palms, which get worse as you approach puberty. As long as another medical condition does not bring it on, sweaty palms symptoms frequently subside as you enter your 40s and 50s.
Causes of sweaty palms all the time
Overactive sweat glands result in sweaty hands, which can happen for various reasons. It can be in the family history and be connected to other types of hyperhidrosis or certain diseases.
The following conditions are related:
- Anxiety
- Infections
- Prescription medications
- Hyperthyroidism
- Lung disease
- Acromegaly
- Substance abuse
- Glucose disorders
- Tuberculosis
- Stroke
- Pheochromocytoma
- Heart disease
- Menopause
- Parkinson’s disease
- Carcinoid syndrome
Although both sexes are equally affected by the illness, women may be more inclined to seek medical attention for sweating palms.
When to visit the doctor
If self-care measures fail and palm sweating substantially impacts your quality of life, it is crucial to see a doctor.
A person needs to experience two of the following in addition to visible, excessive palm sweating for at least six months for a clinician to diagnose palmar hyperhidrosis:
- Sweating on both palms
- At least one weekly episode of sweating
- Sweating which interferes with regular activities
- The person began to sweat after turning 25
- The condition running in the family
- No sweating while you sleep.
In addition, the physician could carry out a Minor test. It entails placing an alcohol and iodine solution on the hand and then sprinkling cornstarch over it. Parts of the hand become stained dark blue due to palmar hyperhidrosis.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will inquire about your sweating pattern, time, location on your body, and whether you have any additional symptoms, such as fever, appetite loss, weight loss, or hormone imbalances.
Your doctor might do a lab test for you if you don’t have a medical problem at the root of your sweaty palms.
Tests might include
Starch-iodine testing
Iodine solution is applied to the palm, dusting it with starch after it has dried. The palms will turn a dark blue when exposed to the iodine and starch solution in sweaty areas.
A paper test
To remove sweat from the palms, a doctor applies special paper. The paper is weighed to determine how much perspiration has accumulated on the hands.
How to Avoid Sweaty Hands (While Holding Hands)
The excessive sweating must remain for at least six months without a known reason to be diagnosed as primary sweaty palms. Other elements that go into the diagnosis are the frequency of sweating (at least one episode per week), age (the disorder is most prevalent in people under 25), family history, sweat on both palms and the absence of nighttime sweating.
Treatment
Your emotional and mental health may be impacted by having sweaty palms, even when it has no negative effects on your physical health. There are numerous therapeutic possibilities.
Depending on how severe your symptoms are and how much you are bothered by them, you and your doctor can discuss which therapies are best for you.
Some possible treatments are
Blocking the sweat glands by applying antiperspirants to the palms
Drugs that disrupt the neurotransmitters that cause sweating, such as anticholinergics.
Treatments For Sweating Palms Through Medicine:
Botulinum toxin (Botox)
Acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, is released by this injection, which has been used to treat sweaty hands by lowering the amount of perspiration produced by the sweat glands in your palms.
Iontophoresis
In order to halt sweating in the palms, a medical gadget employs water and electricity to transfer an ionized material through the skin.
Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (Ets)
The link from the neurological system to the hands’ palms is removed during this minimally invasive surgery, which also renders the palms’ capacity to sweat redundant.
Coping
Some people may find it stressful to deal with sweaty hands. When you experience anxiety in routine actions like shaking hands, filing paperwork, or writing can be embarrassing and upsetting to others. Sweating is a sign of stress and worry and might aggravate the situation.
Psychotherapy is frequently advised in conjunction with medical therapies as a way to aid in the development of coping mechanisms. You may be able to successfully lower your body’s release of cortisol with the aid of psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (a hormone that frequently increases in stress times). As you continue receiving treatment for sweating hands, you might also pick up some social skills to assist you in getting by in everyday life.
Some people may experience stress when they deal with sweaty palms. Anxiety can lead to social shame and unhappiness if it manifests in regular activities like shaking hands, filing paperwork, or writing. Sweating might exacerbate the issue because stress and anxiety can trigger it.
Psychotherapy is frequently suggested as a complementary treatment to medical interventions to assist in learning coping mechanisms and coping skills. You may be able to successfully decrease the cortisol release in your body by utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapy. As you continue receiving treatment for sweating hands, you may also learn social skills to assist you in navigating daily life.
FAQ
What is palmar hyperhidrosis?
Palmar hyperhidrosis, sometimes called sweaty palms, is a medical disease in which the hands’ palms sweat excessively. Despite being referred to as sweaty palms, this condition can also involve sole foot perspiration (sweating in the feet is known as plantar hyperhidrosis).
Which sign of palmar hyperhidrosis is the most prominent?
Uncontrollable sweating in the palms of the hands is the primary sign of sweaty palms. When shaking hands with someone, passing out documents at a conference, or typing on a computer, you could experience clammy or damp palms, which makes you feel uneasy.
How do medical professionals identify palmar hyperhidrosis?
When and where you sweat on your body, the pattern and timing of your sweating, and whether you have any additional symptoms like fever, appetite loss, weight loss, or hormone imbalances will all be questioned by your doctor.
Final thought
In conclusion, having sweaty palms all the time can be an uncomfortable and frustrating experience. However, it is a common condition that affects many people, and there are various causes that can contribute to its development. Some of these causes may include anxiety, hyperhidrosis, medication side effects, or medical conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disorders.
Identifying the underlying cause is key to finding the appropriate treatment, which may range from lifestyle changes to medication or surgery. If you are experiencing persistent sweaty palms, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and treatment.