Sweaty Palms Treatment

You have just finished an excellent presentation. Your boss is pleased with your performance. The clients are impressed with the demonstration. They all move towards you to congratulate you. You are in a dilemma. Your palms are sweating profusely. You definitely do not want them to know about it. So you avoid the handshakes. You keep your bosses at bay and refrain from any handshakes. Obviously, the other person gets the negative vibes and there goes your chance of getting a promotion. You have had the problem of sweaty palms since a long time. You rather not discuss it with anybody else, for the mere fear of rejection. You try to stay away from social gatherings and parties because of this condition. Sweaty palms have banished your growth in personal and professional areas. Till date, you have not been able to have any girlfriend because you shy away from intimacy. Sounds familiar! 1 in every 500 Americans suffer from the problem of sweaty palms. This condition is medically termed as 'palmer hyperhidrosis'.You know your problem is minor and can be easily cured. Then why are you letting it affect your life adversely? Don't remain secluded, get your treatment done.

Sweating is a mechanism to keep the body heat in balance. Though sweating is a natural phenomena, excessive sweating qualifies as a problem that needs to be treated. There are various medication, surgical methods and sweat prevention products that have been effective in its cure.

Non-Surgical Treatment

Medicines: Sedatives, beta blockers and anticholinergics are the three major groups of medications that are used in the treatment for sweaty palms. They act by blocking the sympathetic nerve that is responsible for excessive sweating. Anticholinergics counteracts the acetylcholine which is a neurotransmitter that initiates production of sweat. However, this medicine has a lot of dreadful side effects like urinary retention, dry mouth and blurred vision.

Topical Measures: Sweaty palms remedy also comes in the form of antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride hexahydrate. This is recommended as a first therapeutic measure. Powders and cornstarch can be applied on your palms for temporary relief. The antiperspirants, deodorants and powders provide short-term relief but not complete cure.

Iontopheresis: The palms are dipped in water through which electric current is passed. This has to be done on every nightly basis till the sweating reduces or stops. You need to be patient as this process may take longer than you think.

BOTOX: Its popularity is fast emerging as a quick fix for the problem of sweaty palms. BOTOX acts by weakening the nerve that secretes acetylcholine, and thereby prevents excessive sweating. The effect lasts for 1 year.

Botulinum A Neurotoxin Injection: The treatment is done by injecting botulinum A neurotoxin directly into the palms. This therapy has to be repeated every 7-12 months.

Surgical Treatment

Endoscopic Transthoracic Sympathectomy: The patient is kept under the influence of general anesthesia. Small incisions are made below the arm pits. With the help of a video camera, the sympathetic nerve is located. Special instruments are inserted through the incisions and a small segment of the nerve is cut. The patient takes usually few days to recover.

Lumbar Sympathectomy: The procedure involves gaining access of the sympathetic chain that runs along the lumbar. The incisions are made on the side of the abdomen. With the help of an endoscopic equipment the sympathetic chain that runs along the lumbar vertebrae is located and then clamped below the second lumbar vertebrae.

Now that you realize that there exists a treatment, you know exactly what to do and where to go. Possibilities are endless, it's the inspiration that counts. Gladly, not perspiration.