How to Reduce Sweaty Palms
Sweaty hands is a condition people may experience occasionally when they are stressed or nervous, but it usually resolves when the stressful situation has resolved. In some cases though, sweaty palms can be a sign of a serious medical condition that should be discussed with a physician or medical practitioner. Excessive sweating of the palms of the hands is called palmar hyperhidrosis. Depending on the severity of the problem, an individual may exhibit emotional and psychological symptoms. There are a number of home treatment approaches to help reduce sweaty palms. The materials listed in the "Things You'll Need" section should not be tried at the same time. The most effective approach is to first make modifications to the types of foods consumed and address hygeine issues.
Things You'll Need
- Alcohol wipes
- Tissues
- Anti-perspirant
- Talcum powder
- Medicated powder
- Cornstarch
- Aluminum chloride paint
- Sage tea
- Zinc cream
Instructions
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Food Adjustments
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1
Reduce foods rich in iodine such as iodized salt, sea salt, mayonnaise, haddock, cod, cheddar cheese and condensed milk.
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2
Avoid broccoli, asparagus, white onion, alcohol and hot spices.
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3
Avoid beef, liver and turkey.
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4
Reduce intake of caffeine. This means coffee, sodas and most teas.One exception is drinking sage tea as it is recommended as a strategy for reducing sweaty palms.
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5
Limit snacking in between meals. The body needs to work harder when it is digesting food. The less frequently you eat each day, the less heat your body is required to produce for digestion.
Hygiene Adjustments
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6
Remove the sweat build-up on your hands by washing them often. This is an effective strategy to ensure bacteria and germs from your hands are washed away.
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7
Keep tissues in your pocket or purse to dry sweaty palms.
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8
Use individually packaged alcohol wipes periodically, or as needed, to remove sweat and germs from palms.
Additive Adjustments
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9
Use aluminum chloride paint on the palms of your hands. This is applied with a paint brush. Aluminum chloride helps prevent moisture from building up on your palms.
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10
Buy an antiperspirant specifically formulated for use on the palms of hands and feet.
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11
Rub zinc into your hands like a hand cream. Zinc has shown promise in reducing perspiration as well as body odor.
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12
Soak hands in a tea bath made by seeping five tea bags in a quart of boiling water. When cool, soak for thirty minutes. Tannic acid, found in tea, is an astringent, which acts as an antiperspirant.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If these homemade remedies do not work sufficiently and you continue to have emnbarrassing sweaty palms, make an appointment to talk to your physician.
Be careful with zinc and avoid long term use. There is some specualtion that long-term use may interfere with the body's ability to absorb copper.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit hands image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
