SWEATY PALMS.....what's the cure??

nurse_wannabe · May 27, 2005

I'm just replying so I can watch this thread closely in case anyone has any ideas.

I also have this condition. It becomes a very embarassing problem when I meet a new person and have to shake hands with him/her. I always dread it, and briefly consider ignoring their outstretched hand, but that would be construed as being rude. :chuckle

Even though my hands are extremely dry on top, I can't use lotion b/c my sweaty palms won't allow the lotion to absorb so they stay slick and icky feeling. I always end up washing the lotion off.

If anyone knows any good remedies, I'd also love to hear them.

lady_jezebel · May 27, 2005

I had this problem as a teenager. It's very common according to the dermatologist I saw, and he prescribed a roll-on type lotion made specifically for this problem! It is similar to an antiperspirant. See a dermatologist if it's really that troublesome for you.

lady_jezebel · May 27, 2005

http://www.curesweatypalms.com/Management_Hyperhidrosis_Article.htm

STOP EMBARRASSMENT OF SWEATY PALMS

Management of hyperhidrosis

American Family Physician Nov, 1989

Management of Hyperhidrosis

Primary hyperhidrosis occurs in response to psychologic stress and emotional stimuli. It usually involves the palms, soles and axillae and may lead to wetness and staining of clothes, damp hands, plantar infection and blisters. For some persons, sweating may be so excessive that it leads to social isolation, low self-esteem or even to medical illness. Morificeov and Nadeau review the pathophysiology and treatment of hyperhidrosis.

Sweat production is controlled by circulating catecholamines and the autonomic nervous system. The amount of sweating is also modulated by local physical variables, such as local skin temperature, wetness and blood flow. The sweat rate is highly variable among individuals and seems to be a function of acclimatization, sex, age and, possibly, diet.

Treatment of hyperhidrosis has been disappointing. Treatment ranges from topical medication to surgical sympathectomy and axillary dissection (see table). Topical medications should be used before other interventions are considered. The preferred topical agent is aluminum chloride. It has been generally successful and is usually well tolerated. Glutaraldehyde and tannic acid are effective for control of plantar and palmar hyperhidrosis, although they cause brown staining of the skin. More aggressive therapy includes anticholinergic medications, alpha-adrenergic blocking agents and surgical sympathectomy.

Treatment of Hyperhidrosis

Topical medication

Aluminum chloride

Glutaraldehyde

Tannic acid Iontophoresis Anticholinergics Surgical

Axillary excision

Sympathectomy

The authors report two case histories of patients with hyperhidrosis who were successfully treated with the alpha blocker phenoxybenzamine. Side effects were minimal, and the drug was well tolerated. For those patients in whom sweating is uncontrolled by topical antiperspirants, the use of phenoxybenzamine may be effective. (Journal of Family Practice, April 1989, vol. 28, p. 412.)

***************************************************

also: http://www.sweaty-palms.com/forum/archive/index.php/f-1.html

a discussion board for those with this problem

HealthyRN · May 27, 2005

Well I can certainly give both of you some information. I have generalized hyperhydrosis, which means that I sweat excessively on my palms, feet, and underarms. I can also experience some sweating on my thighs and stomach. However, it is the palmar sweating that is most distressing. Others who don't have this condition can have no idea of the embarrassment and emotional distress that I have gone through in my life.

Hyperhydrosis is a benign dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The cause is truly unknown, but there is believed to be a genetic link. The excessive release of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, is what triggers the sweating. This sweating can occur at any time, even when relaxing, but I find that it also occurs in any situation in which one would normally be nervous or anxious.

I am 20 years old and I developed this condition when I was about 12. Some people with hyperhydrosis can remember having it even in early childhood, but most develop it around the time of puberty. For the first few years, I was brushed off by physicians and family members and told that it was "just hormones" and I would grow out of it. I knew that something was not normal about the amount of dripping sweat that I had to deal with everyday and I took it upon myself to do some research. What I came up with was hyperhydrosis and a dermatologist was finally able to confirm this.

Over the years, I have tried just about every form of treatment that exists for hyperhydrosis. Bottom line is, there is no cure for hyperhydrosis and the treatments have not been very effective for me. That is not meant to discourage either of you or anyone else suffering from this conditon, because I have very severe hyperhydrosis and I do know that there are people that are satisfied with various treatments.

I started out with a topical agent called Drysol. It is a solution of aluminium chloride 20% that is meant to block the sweat ducts. It is to be applied to the palms, underarms, or feet during the night and washed off in the morning. I still use Drysol although it is not very effective. It does help somewhat though and I would be a mess without it. There is also a form of treatment known as ionphoresis. This used to be available only in dermatologists' offices but there are now machines that you can buy. The web site for the most popular brand is http://www.drionic.com. This requires a lot of time and it is somewhat painful and uncomfortable. After about a month of use, parts of my hands were completely dry, but the machine cannot reach all parts for some reason. I'll let you read more about that or you can pm me with any questions. The machine works by sending a small current to block the sweat ducts. It is not permanent though and you must continue to use it. Another treatment option is anticholinergics. I have tried a variety and I find that Ditropan XL is among the best. A common side effect of these meds is decreased sweating and with hyperhydrosis this is what you want! Unfortunately, the effectiveness tends to decrease after about a month of continued use. I try to use these a few days before an important event. Along with the Drysol, this is currently the most effective combination for myself. One of the latest treatments is the use of Botox injections for hyperhydrosis. The FDA has recently approved Botox to be used for underarm hyperhydrosis. There are dermatologists who will do it for the hands though. However, I must caution you on this. If this is something you want to look into, make sure the doc is experienced or has treated someone before. When I tried Botox, I was just desperate to find a doc to perform the treatments. I am in Ohio and there just really aren't any. Most of the dermatologist who do Botox for the hands are out in California. A lot of celebrities have these treatments to prevent any sweating during big events. Anyway, I finally found someone willing to do it. Basically, I got ripped off. Botox is really expensive, especially when you're talking about injecting hundreds of units into the hands. But I was willing to do just about anything to rid myself of this condition. To make a long story short, the doctor had no idea what he was doing, and therefore the Botox was not effective. However, I have heard great things about this really working if it is done correctly. You must get injected at least every six months though. The last treatment I would like to mention is ETS or endoscoptic thoracic sympathectomy. This is a surgery that many thoracic surgeons claim will "cure" hyperhydrosis. Please, please, please think very hard before agreeing to such a procedure. The surgery consists of cutting or clamping the nerves that control sweating to the hands or upper body. I have heard many nightmare stories about these surgeries and I cannot believe that they are actually still occuring. The same nerves that are responsible for the sweating also contribute to the control of many important functions, for example heart rate. There is evidence that indicates people who have had ETS have altered sympathetic activity in the heart. There are many other side effects (PM me to discuss more) and the surgery basically moves the area of sweating from the hands or underarms to other parts of the body.

So, hyperhydrosis cannot be cured. I've had a very difficult time accepting this condition. I have struggled with social anxiety and depression on and off. Hyperhydrosis almost prevented me from taking the path to become a nurse, but I soon realized that patients who need me the most don't really care how wet and drenched my hands are. I am learning to live with it and life is much better now that I've begun to accept it. Nursing makes me appreciate the fact that I even have hands or the ability to feel and realize that my hands are wet. Other people who don't have this condition usually can't understand the psychological impact that it can have on a person. There is a lot of information about hyperhydrosis on the internet, but be very careful where you get your information from. There is also a lot of people who have realized that they can make a lot of money off those with complexes about sweating. There are some online support groups also. Please feel free to e-mail me with any other questions or just to chat! Sorry this post is so long, I just felt that I should share my knowledge!

~Katy

suzanne4, RN · May 27, 2005

They are also using Botox sometimes for this. Please consult with your dermatologist about this. :)

HealthyRN · May 27, 2005

The above article is a good example of why you need to be very careful from where you obtain information about hyperhydrosis. That physician is a thoracic surgeon promoting ETS surgery.

lady_jezebel · May 27, 2005

The above article is a good example of why you need to be very careful from where you obtain information about hyperhydrosis. That physician is a thoracic surgeon promoting ETS surgery.

Yikes! I cut/paste the article only for a list of treatment options. I agree with you -- after seeing a handful of spinal surgeries being botched while working on an ortho floor at a major uni medical center (ex. patients with "back pain" leaving surgery permanently blind or paraplegic!), I would NEVER voluntarily decide to have (or promote) surgery that involves cutting nerves. Sorry about that.

KPOP · May 29, 2005

HI THERE.

TRY THIS WEB SITE

http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/search?query=PALMAR%20HYPERHYDROSIS

MY OWN REMEDY -- IS CONSTANT CLEAN HANDS AND USE LOTION

WIPE HANDS WITH CLEAN WIPE

DRINK LOTS OF WATER

DO NOT USE POWDER ON YOUR HANDS

PERHAPS YOU NEED TO WASH YOUR HANDS ONCE IN THE MORNING AFTER BREAKFAST AND JUST BEFORE 10 A.M. AGAIN AND USE LOTION

THEN DO THIS IN THE AFTERNOON ONCE AFTER 2 P.M. AND AGAIN IN 4 P.M.

BUT DO NOT FORGET TO USE LOTION SUCH AS VASELINE OR NEVIA OR ST EVES OR WHATEVER THAT YOU CAN AFFORD BUT MAKE SURE YOU READ THAT IT IS A GOOD LOTION

MAKE SURE YOU WIPE YOUR HANDS THOUGH AND KEEP IT DRY AND DO NOT USE POWDER IN YOUR HANDS AND DRINK LOTS OF WATER WITH ICE OR COLD WATER

DRINK COFFEE TOO BUT NOT TO HOT AND NOT TOO COLD AND NO CREAM OR SUGAR

DRINK COFFEE THOUGH AT LEAST WHEN YOU DO WITH CREAM OR SUGAR TWICE A DAY THEN IF YOU LIKE THEM WITH YOUR COFFEE AND YOU DO NOT SWEAT ANYMORE THEN THAT IS FIND

GOOD LUCK

IF YOU LIKE YOU CAN PRINT THIS AND THEN PUT IT IN YOUR AFFECTED HANDS AND PRAY TO GOD AND TO JESUS CHRIST AND HAVE FAITH

MABUHAY!

KATHY

KPOP

[email protected]

Hex, LPN · May 29, 2005

Lots of interesting info, katyosu2006

Thanks.

I may give Drysol a try since my condition is mild.