How To Get Rid Of Sweaty Hands

Many people experience sweaty hands and sweaty palms from time to time, often in response to stressful situations or intense heat. While sweaty hands are not usually harmful, they can be a cause of social anxiety and insecurity. If you are wondering how to stop sweaty hands, there are a wide variety of treatment options worth trying.

In rare cases, sweaty hands can be a symptom of an underlying medical disorder such as diabetes, low blood sugar, or an overactive thyroid gland. If you experience other symptoms – like fatigue, chest pain, chills, or nausea – talk to your doctor before attempting treatment at home.

Both home remedies and medical treatment can help alleviate excessive hand sweating, although it may take some trial and error to figure out what treatment works for you specifically. Below, we will go over some of the most common treatment options that can help you find relief.

Home Remedies for Sweaty Hands

Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants are usually used on the armpits, but can sometimes be used on other areas of the body that are prone to excessive sweat. Applying antiperspirant to your palms can help control excessive sweating. For sweaty palms specifically, antiperspirants work best when left on overnight.

If your hands do not respond to regular-strength antiperspirants, try clinical-strength options. For severe cases, talk to your doctor about a prescription antiperspirant.

Baking Soda

Baking soda can sometimes function as a natural antiperspirant or deodorant. It can both reduce sweating and make sweat evaporate more quickly.

To use baking soda, mix a couple tablespoons of baking soda with water to create a paste. Rub the paste directly into your palms for roughly five minutes and then wash your hands. For some people, doing this before bed each night greatly reduces sweaty hands.

Apple Cider Vinegar

While there is not a lot of clinical research, it is possible that apple cider vinegar could help balance PH levels in the body. You can wipe your hands with apple cider vinegar before bed or even add a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to your diet. For example, you can make salad dressing with apple cider vinegar.

Some people do experience side effects like redness and irritation from topical use of apple cider vinegar. If you notice these side effects, cease use and try another treatment option.

Track Your Triggers

Excessive hand sweating is often caused by a specific trigger. Spend a week or two tracking when you experience hand sweating and take note of any possible patterns.

Things like caffeine, processed foods, alcohol, high-fat foods, and dairy products cause hand sweating for some. Reducing or eliminating your intake of these foods and beverages could potentially help.

For some, hand sweating may be linked to stress or anxiety. Practicing relaxation techniques or working on reducing your overall stress levels can help with the issue. 

Medical Treatments for Sweaty Hands

Sometimes, lifestyle changes and home remedies are inadequate when dealing with sweaty hands. If you are struggling to manage excessive sweating on your own, you may want to explore medical treatments.

Iontophoresis

Iontophoresis is a treatment that involves placing your hands in a solution with a low electric current. This can potentially thicken the outer layers of your skin, preventing sweat from escaping.

Iontophoresis treatment entails undergoing 30 to 40 minute sessions four times a week. Treatment is not painful and you can resume regular activities immediately afterwards. If successful, the effects of iontophoresis last up to four weeks.

Botox

Botox is often used as a form of aesthetic medicine as it can reduce signs of aging and smooth and tighten skin. However, it can also be used to treat excessive sweating, including sweating in the hands and palms.

Botox injections work by blocking the signals to the sweat glands in the hands. Botox injections take no more than 30 minutes and the procedure is relatively pain-free. You can resume your daily routine immediately after receiving Botox injections.

Botox injections are much longer lasting than iontophoresis, with most patients maintaining results for roughly six months.

Medication

Anticholinergic drugs are often used to treat involuntary muscle movements and can be used for conditions like an overactive bladder or chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.

However, practitioners sometimes prescribe anticholinergic drugs on an off-label basis to treat sweaty palms. Anticholinergic drugs work somewhat similar to Botox in that they help block receptors that signal the sweat glands.

Some patients experience side effects such as dry mouth, trouble urinating, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

Beta Blockers

Beta blockers decrease blood pressure and are often used for people with hypertension. However, it can also decrease the sympathetic nervous system which is activated during stress and anxiety, which can lead to sweaty palms. Beta blockers are also often used during stressful situations such as public speaking. This is usually not a medication that people use chronically for sweaty palms, however it can be effective when you know a high anxiety situation is in your near future.

Sympathectomy

A surgical procedure is available where the sympathetic nervous system is surgically transected at the wrist. This stops the nerve impulse that triggers sweaty palms.

Sweaty Hands: The Bottom Line

Sweaty hands are generally not harmful, but can be irritating. Excessive sweating in the palms can cause insecurity around activities like shaking hands and hand holding. Home remedies can often address the issue, but for some patients require medical treatment.

If you are not finding success with home treatment, make an appointment with your doctor to determine the right treatment path for you.

Ready to get started? At BLUSH Beverly Hills, we can perform treatments such as Botox that can help alleviate excessive sweating. Reach out here to book a consultation.