Managing palmar hyperhidrosis?
April 23, 2022 1:03 AM   Subscribe

My palmar hyperhidrosis is nowhere near as bad as when I was a teenager. Back then my palms would be wet, even in situations where I wasn't consciously stressed or anxious. It caused me a lot of emotional pain and shame. I remember using a mouse and keyboard at school and leaving droplets of my sweat all over them, it was gross. Other girls during dance and physical activities wouldn't hold my hands, not in a cruel way and I can understand to be honest. If I held my hands in a fist, I'd feel droplets form.




Anyway, at 33 it's a lot better now in that my hands are mostly dry or at least much less damp when I'm relaxed and comfortable in the situation or around whomever I'm with.

The problem is, they become super sweaty again in an instant, the minute I get a bit nervous or feel anxious around people or in a stress inducing situation, it comes back.

Its never really gone, I've just got older, a little more confident, my hormones aren't as crazy and I'm not in an abusive family home ( which I now realise was the key driver of stress and anxiety at that time). My brain's calmed down a bit.

However there are things I've always wanted to do, that I never did and still don't do because of this issue.

Chiefly I would love to do partner dancing, particularly swing dancing. I did take some classes (I went with my sister who also has damp hands) and I adored it. I'd also love to play the piano, which I know would cause my sweat glands in my hand to go berserk, being scrutinised by a piano teacher.

These are things I have always wanted to do and still want to do despite my social anxiety/shyness. I want to do these things and think they'll help me find joy, connection and confidence in my journey. I just don't want to be limited by this anymore.

As a teenager I tried anti perspirants on my hand and they never worked, they made it worse.

I understand this is a condition I can't cure and can only manage.

On that basis has anyone found a genuinely effective way to manage this? Has anyone tried an iontophoresis machine with consistent success or any kind of topical treatment/medication?
posted by Sunflower88 to Health & Fitness (12 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I haven't tried it personally but a close friend of mine has had success with Botox as a half yearly solution.
posted by socky_puppy at 2:32 AM on April 23, 2022


Seconding Botox - Google Botox palmar hyperhydrosis + your area to find a doctor who is proficient at it. You’ve now been suffering for 20 years and it’s time to throw some $$ at the problem. You’re worth it.
posted by tatiana wishbone at 5:11 AM on April 23, 2022


See a dermatologist. They have options.
posted by decathecting at 5:51 AM on April 23, 2022 [2 favorites]


Botox apparently works great - and also, if for some reason botox doesn't work, you could maybe try layered gloves? A thin cotton glove to absorb sweat, a latex glove to block water, and then maybe a thin cloth or leather glove so your hand doesn't feel like a latex glove to a dance partner. Good luck!
posted by nouvelle-personne at 6:06 AM on April 23, 2022


You've probably tried strong antiperspirant. I think Botox is well worth pursuing.

I do recreational dance with hand-holding, and you could wear cotton gloves and explain that you have a non-contagious medical issue. My ex- is a photographer who does some processing; the chemicals have made his hands hyper-sensitive to chemicals; he wears gloves a lot. What an incredibly difficult thing for you to have had to manage; I hope Botox works.
posted by theora55 at 6:22 AM on April 23, 2022 [1 favorite]


Buy an iontophoresis machine and use it at night with tap water that has minerals. I use the dermadry one for my underarms but they have plates to use it on your palms and soles of your feet it’s painless and effective. Just have to be consistent. I’ve gotten botox before but it’s too expensive and wears off too fast for me. You could also try a drying Rx like glycopyrrolate or oxybutinin extended release. Glycopyrrolate is effective for me but I only use it for special occasions.
posted by zdravo at 7:05 AM on April 23, 2022


A family member had this and had a surgery to stop it: endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy.
I don't know where, probably somewhere in PA where they were living at the time.
posted by fiercekitten at 7:21 AM on April 23, 2022 [2 favorites]


Talk your your primary care doc about medication. There are topical options and pills you can take to help this.
posted by emilynoa at 8:22 AM on April 23, 2022 [1 favorite]


I feel your pain and sympathise greatly.

Sweat Block is the first thing to try before you go with botox or surgery. Several members of my immediate family and me suffer from hyperhidrosis (weirdly it's in different areas for each of us - torso, head, feet) and this stuff essentially cured a problem which had severely blighted our lives for decades. If you use it regularly then you eventually only need to use it once a fortnight or so (YMMV depending on heat/humidity). It says it's for hands and feet but I've seen it used effectively on other areas with no problems. Consult a physician if in doubt, etc.

I haven't used the wipes, so I haven't linked to them, but fellow sufferers have said they are just as effective as the lotion.
posted by underclocked at 11:10 AM on April 23, 2022 [2 favorites]


I have not tried this but I've seen ads- Carpe Antiperspirant Hand Lotion.
posted by oneirodynia at 1:22 PM on April 23, 2022 [1 favorite]


Oy. I have this problem, but it's the crown of my head. I "rain". It makes me miserable.
posted by Goofyy at 2:32 PM on April 23, 2022


Try Antihydral ointment - put it on before bed and wash it off in the a.m. German, loved by foosball players, apparently, but cheap and available on Amazon, so worth a try if more intensive solutions like Botox are financially out of reach.
posted by Ausamor at 2:03 PM on April 24, 2022 [1 favorite]


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