Sweaty hands

We use our hands every day, so palms damp with sweat can cause issues with everything from greeting people to handling objects.

Why do my hands sweat?

We often get sweaty palmsOpens in a new window in stressful situations, when we’re nervous or excited. This is because eccrine sweat glands are highly concentrated in the hands, forehead and feet. They’re connected to our sympathetic nervous system, which kicks in when we’re stressed.

What condition is sweaty hands?

Some people who have hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, find they only sweat heavily on the palms of their hands. This condition is called palmar hyperhidrosisOpens in a new window. It may be present at birth, but mostly starts to occur in adolescence. For some people the problem goes away, while others experience it all their lives.

How to stop sweaty hands?

Here are some quick tips if you get sweaty palms:

• Wash your hands regularly. Unless they’re actually dirty, just using water is fine, as constantly washing with soap will dry your skin.
• Carry tissues with you and wipe your hands throughout the day.
• Pocket-size hand gels will help cleanse and dry when you can’t get to a sink.
• Talcum powder can help absorb sweat and give your hands a better grip, so grab a small container from the baby products aisle and keep it in your bag.
• Outside of winter, don’t resort to gloves to cover up sweaty palms – this will make your hands sweat more, as your skin won’t be able to breathe.
• Since stress can be a big factor in sweating, tackling the cause of your stress can sometimes help with symptoms like sweaty hands.

For those with excessive sweating of the hands, other treatments are also available. Speak to your doctor or a professional medical adviser to discuss what causes sweaty hands and all the options available to you.

Discover more about excessive sweating