How Are Sweaty Hands Treated?

Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is abnormally heavy sweating that is not always related to heat or exercise. You may sweat so much that it soaks through your clothes or drips off your hands. Heavy sweating can make your daily life more difficult and cause social anxiety and embarrassment.

Treatment for hyperhidrosis usually helps. Treatment usually starts with antiperspirants, and if this does not work, you may need to try different medications and therapies. In severe cases, your healthcare provider may recommend surgery to remove the sweat glands or to disconnect the nerves responsible for producing too much sweat. If your symptoms are this significant, it is important to consult your doctor and get expert support for treatment.

What Are the Symptoms of Hyperhidrosis?

The main symptom of hyperhidrosis is heavy sweating. This goes beyond being in a hot environment, exercising, or feeling anxious or stressed. The type of hyperhidrosis that usually affects the hands, feet, underarms, or face occurs at least once a week while you are awake. And the sweating usually happens on both sides of the body.

When Should You See a Doctor About Excessive Sweating?

Sometimes excessive sweating can be a sign of a serious condition. We recommend that you seek medical help if you have heavy sweating along with dizziness, pain in the chest, throat, jaw, arms, or shoulders, cold skin, and a rapid pulse.

Sometimes excessive sweating can be a sign of a serious condition.

See your healthcare provider if:

• Excessive sweating disrupts your daily routine
• Sweating causes emotional distress or social withdrawal
• You suddenly start to sweat more than usual
• You have night sweats for no apparent reason

What Causes Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)?

Sweating is the body's mechanism for cooling itself. The nervous system automatically triggers the sweat glands when your body temperature rises. Sweating also occurs when you are nervous, especially on your palms. Primary hyperhidrosis is caused by faulty nerve signals that trigger the eccrine sweat glands to become overactive. It usually affects the palms, the soles of the feet, the underarms, and sometimes the face. There is no medical cause for this type of hyperhidrosis. It can run in families.

Secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by an underlying medical condition or by taking certain medications, such as pain relievers, antidepressants, and some diabetes and hormonal medications. This type of hyperhidrosis can cause sweating all over the body. Conditions that can cause it include:

• Diabetes
• Menopausal hot flashes
• Thyroid problems
• Some types of cancer
• Nervous system disorders
• Infections

Complications

Complications of hyperhidrosis include:

• Infections. People who sweat a lot are more prone to skin infections.
• Social and emotional effects. Having clammy or wet hands and sweat-soaked clothes can be embarrassing. Your condition may affect your work and educational goals.