Individuals who have Hyperhidrosis or sweaty hands dread the thought of holding or shaking hands. Some situations that may require doing this include holding hands with a prospective partner, participating in a sport where good grip is required, or attending a job interview. There are people who almost always have sweaty palms or sweat excessively in other parts of their bodies, even when temperatures are not high. This condition is known as Hyperhidrosis, and it causes frequent sweating. Getting soaked in sweat at a random place is quite embarrassing and negatively affects one's social life. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce these regular sweating episodes.
For those who have Hyperhidrosis and thinking about how to stop sweaty hands, here are some ways you can control the sweating before you think about invasive methods of treatment, such as iontophoresis and surgery. You will realize that you can easily put the moisture under control and go about life like any other normal person.
What Causes Sweating Hands?
A question in your mind right now is-why are my hands always sweaty? Overactive sweat glands cause excessive sweating and bring about Hyperhidrosis. So, this is not related to levels of physical activity and outdoor or indoor temperature. Your hands can sweat freely even when you are not in motion or the temperature is optimal.
There are people with sweaty hands who feel like it's no big deal. In most cases, Hyperhidrosis is hereditary and is usually not a sign of a severe medical condition though it could indicate underlying issues like:
- Infections
- Heart attack
- Overactive thyroid
- Problems with the nervous system
- Menopause/hot flashes
- Diabetes
- Low blood sugar
One may have other symptoms if sweaty hands result from an underlying condition. If the other symptoms include chest pain, lightheadedness, fever, nausea, or chills, get in touch with a doctor. Ensure that you also visit a doctor when the perspiration goes from bad to worse, or it starts to affect your daily life.
1) Clean Your Hands
Still, wondering about how to get rid of sweaty hands? One way to cool your skin and avoid excessive sweating is to wash your hands frequently. Only use soaps when your hands are filthy because soaps dry out your skin and increase the sweating in your palms. For cleansers, opt for non-soap types.
After washing your hands, make sure you completely dry them using a towel to get rid of any extra moisture on the surface of your skin. The purpose of this is to decrease the dampness in your palms.
The hand-washing technique won't keep your hands dry for a long time, but it's a sure-fire way to reduce moisture in your hands immediately. It's a quick and easy option for sweaty hands, especially if you are looking to shake many peoples' hands or heading to a job interview.
2) Stay Hydrated
By drinking a lot of water throughout the day, you can keep clammy hands at bay. You may be thinking that drinking water is what leads to sweaty hands, but it's dehydration that causes it. Drinking water decreases one's core temperature and keeps the body cool. Additionally, staying hydrated helps you reduce your stress and, in the process, prevents excessive sweating of the hands.
Keep in mind that drinking a lot of water keeps you from wanting spicy or salty foods, which can cause Hyperhidrosis and water retention. The point to note here is: Less moisture gets out when you take in more moisture, so it's an effortless way to control clammy hands.
Lastly, keeping yourself hydrated is a healthy habit. You've probably read or been told about the numerous benefits of drinking lots of water. Not only is it a natural way to treat sweaty hands, but it also improves your overall well-being.
3) Have A Towel Or Cloth At All Times
Have a towel or cloth nearby so that if your palms begin sweating profusely, you are ready. You can easily wipe your hands when stressed or just before shaking hands, ensuring that your hands are dry at the right moment.
Use cotton cloths/towels as they absorb more moisture and give the best results. Immediately you feel like your palms have started sweating; wipe them before the condition worsens to avoid any embarrassment thereafter.
To make the whole thing even more enjoyable, find a cloth with a lovely pattern for wiping your hands. This makes you look fashionable.
4) Remove Moisture From Your Hands
You can use an absorbent powder like baby powder. Soaking up the unnecessary hand moisture is a great and simple way to deal with clammy hands. One way to do this is by application of absorbent powder to your palms. Place a little amount of baby powder into your sweaty hands and spread it around evenly and gently. Your palms will immediately become drier and cooler. The following is a list of powders you can use:
- Chalk
- Talcum powder-keep in mind that it's poisonous if high amounts of it are inhaled
- Cornstarch-used for controlling excessive sweating by some people in Hispanic countries, where it is referred to as "maizena."
- Baking soda
5) Apply An Antiperspirant On Your Palms
Many people use antiperspirant to deal with underarm sweating daily. Did you know you can control clammy hands by spreading a small amount of antiperspirant on them? Before applying the antiperspirant, ensure you have wiped your hands with a towel. This way, the antiperspirant can plug your sweat pores well.
And don't opt for just any deodorant-look for an antiperspirant. Many people can' tell the two products apart, although they are starkly different. A deodorant only tackles the odor from sweating, while an antiperspirant deals with unwanted sweating.
Antiperspirants with aluminum compounds as their active ingredients give the best results. Aluminum is among the most efficient antiperspirant elements. Prescription antiperspirants with higher amounts of aluminum, such as Drysol, can be used for severe cases of sweaty palms.
6) Frequent Washing Of Hands
For those who find it challenging to keep their hands dry, washing them regularly may be a great alternative. Washing your hands regularly with soap removes natural oils from your palms and makes them feel and stay dry for a long time. So, regular hand washing each day is a fantastic way to tackle sweaty hands.
Keep in mind that washing your hands many times a day may make your palms too dry, especially when using soaps with detergent or harsh bar soaps. Consider using a moisturizing soap if regular hand washing causes irritation in your hands or makes them dry out-it's better if the palms are a little wet than looking raw and cracked.
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7) Steer Clear Of Greasy Lotions
You may be unknowingly making your hands wet if you regularly use lotion on your palms. Creams that have antiperspirant chemicals can help reduce moisture in your hands, but others can increase the moisture. Elements such as petroleum jelly can make your palms excessively greasy or wet. If you are a frequent lotion user, consider changing to one that is specifically designed for drying or one that is lighter.
8) Keep Your Hands Off Pockets And Gloves
Pieces of clothing that surround the hands like gloves and pockets can significantly increase moisture and sweat. Clothing traps heat and moisture against the palms, making them sweat more and prevents full evaporation of the produced sweat. There's one direct and straightforward way to handle this-strive to leave your hands out in the open during the day so that natural moisture from your hands evaporates easily.
If the weather is cold and leaving your palms uncovered is not an option, opt for gloves made of a lighter material or fingerless gloves. These will not only allow air to reach your hand but will also keep you warm.
9) Be Stress-free
Sweaty hands can be caused by nervousness or can be a reaction to a source of stress. In these instances, the person affected should not just focus on short-term elimination of the extra sweating, but needs to deal with his/her underlying emotional or mental stresses. People are affected by different stresses and react differently, so there is no "right" way to handle stress triggers. If you think you are in this category, you should talk to a licensed therapist or your doctor to chart the way forward. That being said, the following are some effective ways to tackle stress and keep sweaty hands at bay.
- New exercise routines
- Meditation
- Biofeedback
- Avoid harmful substances or habits
- Socialize more
- Change life/work arrangements
- Practice yoga
10) Opt For Botox Injections
Botox injections are popular in the cosmetic industry, but did you know that they can be used to curb excessive sweating in some circumstances? A low amount of a poison known as botulinum toxin is injected under the skin. In low amounts, this poison makes the skin firm and attacks the chemical that activates the sweat glands. A couple of Botox injections can control the extra sweating for more than a year, though it may require numerous applications.
Here are the side effects caused by Botox injections:
- Symptoms similar to those of flu
- Muscle drooping/twitching
- Headaches
- Redness/bruising at the injection area
Dangerous symptoms of botulinum toxin poisoning, though not common, are problems with vision, weakness, trouble speaking, and breathing issues. If you are suffering from sweaty hands, there are other treatments that you can turn to. Get in touch with your professional medical adviser or doctor to talk about treatment for Hyperhidrosis.
As you strive to put your sweaty hands under control, we trust that you will find valuable tips at Botox Beverly Hills medspa. Botox injections in Los Angeles can cure overactive sweat glands, and you will no longer be afraid of shaking/holding hands with someone or wearing certain outfits. Botox stops the production of sweat by softening the muscles.
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