Stop The Sweat

Palmar hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating of the hands.

Features

It is characterised by hands that sweat excessively and sometimes drip, regardless of the ambient temperature. It is also often seen in combination with plantar hyperhidrosis (feet). Many sufferers will sweat more when emotional triggers are activated in situations of social anxiety.

Like other forms of hyperhidrosis, the cause is unknown but it can be hereditary and is usually first seen in childhood.

Difficulties

Palmar hyperhidrosis is particularly unique because sufferers find it more difficult to live a normal life than for some of the other types.

For instance, it is common to shake hands when meeting people and many sufferers will try to avoid such social situations. The expectation of such a situation can also give rise to anxiety and make it more likely and worse (from a sweat volume perspective) than it might otherwise have been.

Many people also find it difficult to work in an office environment, especially when working with paper materials which instantly become wet on touch.

Additionally, this type of excessive sweating can also affect personal and intimate relationships with members of the opposite sex.

Treatments

Initially, the best treatment to use are strong prescription antiperspirants which can be applied to the hands, unlike over the counter and less effective solutions. A common treatment in this case is Drysol.

To control anxiety driven sweating, antidepressants or beta blockers can be prescribed.

If antiperspirants do not work then the next step is usually iontophoresis. This is a method commonly used to treat palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis. An mild electric current is applied to the hands and only a tingling sensation is felt. Repeat treatments can stop this type of sweating for weeks at a time. A person can even buy a home kit to use themselves if this treatment is found to be especially effective.

An alternative to this is Botox or botulinum toxin injections. These treatments normally are effective for a few months.

In extreme situations where the above treatments do not work, surgery may be advised such as liposuction where a small incision is made and the sweat glands are removed.