3 Non-Surgical Treatments For Palmar Hyperhidrosis
Palmar hyperhidrosis is a condition characterized by excessively sweaty palms. While everyone's palms get sweaty sometimes, people with this condition experience profuse sweating that gets in the way of their normal activities. The excessive sweat can even make it hard to pick up objects. Many non-surgical treatments are available to get this excessive sweat under control; here are three non-surgical treatments that your doctor may recommend.
Antiperspirants are the main topical treatments for excessive sweating of the palms. Your doctor may recommend trying over-the-counter antiperspirants first. Look for a product that contains aluminum chloride; these antiperspirants will contain up to 19% aluminum chloride.
You'll need to apply your antiperspirant every night before you go to bed. To prevent the product from getting on your sheets, put on gloves as well. When you wake up in the morning, wash your hands. You'll need to follow this routine everyday to control your sweaty palms.
If over-the-counter antiperspirants aren't strong enough for you, your doctor can prescribe a stronger product. Prescription antiperspirants that contain as much as 25% aluminum chloride are available.
If prescription-strength antiperspirants don't help, your doctor may recommend iontophoresis. This treatment uses low levels of electricity to block the function of your sweat glands.
Your doctor will place your hands in a shallow dish filled with water. An electric current will then be sent through the water—at low levels that won't hurt you—for between 20 and 40 minutes. At first, this treatment needs to be done three times a week, but once your palms are dry, you only need one treatment per week to maintain your results.
Going to the doctor's office every week can be difficult, so if this treatment is working well for you, you may be able to continue the treatment at home. Your doctor can prescribe a iontophoresis machine for you to use on your own.
A class of drug known as anticholingerics can also be used to control your sweating. These drugs, which include oxybutynin and glycopyrrolate, work by targeting your acetylcholine receptors. These receptors have many functions within your body, including telling your sweat glands to produce sweat.
These drugs are effective—oxybutynin works for 50% of patients—but side effects are common. These side effects can include annoying problems like dry mouth or dry eyes, but more serious problems like urinary retention or blurred vision can also occur. Due to these side effects, your doctor will recommend anticholingeric medications when other treatments fail.
If you suffer from palmar hyperhidrosis, ask your doctor which non-surgical treatments are right for you.