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Sweating is how the body regulates its temperature, but excessive sweating can make you self-conscious. Home remedies may help, but your doctor can give you the best advice on the cause and treatment.
Depending on your routine, greeting others with a handshake might be an everyday occurrence. People who don’t experience sweaty hands have no problem extending their hands. But if your hands are constantly clammy and wet, something as simple as shaking hands can bring on anxiety.
If you have frequent sweaty hands or excessive sweating in other parts of your body that are not caused by higher temperatures, you may have hyperhidrosis. This is a condition marked by sweating for no apparent reason. Sweat may soak through your clothes and disrupt your social life. It can be a frustrating problem, but there are ways to get sweating under control.
In the case of hyperhidrosis, overactive sweat glands trigger excessive perspiration. This response has nothing to do with indoor or outdoor temperature or your level of physical activity. It doesn’t matter whether the temperature is comfortable or you’re not moving, your hands may sweat profusely.
Some people shrug off mild hand sweating as a minor concern. Although this condition doesn’t always indicate a serious problem and may run in families, excessive sweating is sometimes a symptom of an underlying condition, such as:
- diabetes
- menopause/hot flashes
- low blood sugar
- overactive thyroid
- heart attack
- nervous system problems
- infections
When sweating is caused by an underlying problem, you may have other symptoms. See a doctor if sweating is accompanied by chills, chest pain, nausea, lightheadedness, or a fever. Also make a doctor’s appointment if sweating worsens or begins to interrupt your routine.
If sweaty hands don’t merit a trip to your doctor, several tricks and home remedies can significantly reduce perspiration.
1. Antiperspirants
Antiperspirants are commonly associated with underarm sweating, but these are also effective for stopping perspiration in different areas of the body, including the hands. If you have problems with excessive sweating, apply antiperspirant to your hands to reduce wetness and clamminess. Start with a regular-strength antiperspirant, and then switch to a clinical-strength antiperspirant if you don’t get the desired results. Antiperspirants work best when you apply them at night because it gives your hands more time to absorb them. These products work by signaling your body to stop sweating. Examples include:
If these don’t work, talk to your doctor about a prescription antiperspirant.
2. Baking soda
Baking soda is a quick and inexpensive way to reduce sweaty hands. Most people have a box of baking soda in their kitchen or bathroom. The effectiveness of baking soda on cleaning and whitening teeth is well-known, but you may not realize how baking soda functions as an antiperspirant and deodorant. Because baking soda is alkaline, it can reduce sweating and make sweat evaporate quickly. Mix a couple teaspoons of baking soda with water to create a paste. Rub the paste over your hands for about five minutes and then wash your hands. Here are two options:
3. Apple cider vinegar
If you have hyperhidrosis, organic apple cider vinegar can keep your sweaty palms dry by balancing pH levels in your body. You can wipe your palms with apple cider vinegar. Leave it on overnight for best effect. You may also want to include 2 tablespoons in your daily diet. It tastes better with honey and water or with a fruit juice. Here are a few brand options:
4. Sage leaves
Adding sage leaves to your food or sipping sage tea may provide relief from hand sweating. You can also carry dried sage in cloth wrap (sachet) in your pocket, and put your hand around it to absorb and prevent perspiration. The astringent property of sage eliminates excess skin oils and prevents sweating. This property can also reduce odor caused by sweating. For best results, put a handful of sage leaves in water and then soak your hands in the mixture for about 20 minutes. Another option is drinking sage tea. Since sage is an herb, talk to your doctor before drinking this tea to ensure it doesn’t interact with any medications you’re currently taking. You can try:
You probably already have at least one item in your kitchen or bathroom that can stop sweating in its tracks! If you are experiencing excessive sweating, talk to your doctor. They may suggest other options if your condition doesn’t respond to home remedies.