From the Research
For the treatment of sweaty palms, or palmar hyperhidrosis, the most effective method is botulinum toxin injection, as it provides 3-6 months of relief with significant improvement in symptoms, as shown in a comparative study published in 2014 1.
Treatment Options
- For mild cases, start with aluminum chloride antiperspirants (like Drysol or Certain Dri) applied to dry palms at night, then washed off in the morning.
- Iontophoresis devices, which pass a mild electrical current through water-immersed hands, can be used 2-3 times weekly for 20-30 minutes, then reduced to maintenance sessions, with a study in 2023 showing aluminum chloride hexahydrate gel iontophoresis to be an effective alternative treatment 2.
- For moderate to severe cases, oral anticholinergics like glycopyrrolate (1-2mg twice daily) or oxybutynin (5-10mg daily) can reduce overall sweating, though they may cause dry mouth and blurred vision.
- Botox injections into the palms provide 3-6 months of relief but can be painful and may temporarily weaken grip.
Lifestyle Adjustments
- Simple lifestyle adjustments like avoiding triggers (spicy foods, caffeine, stress) and using absorbent powders can complement medical treatments.
- The underlying cause of hyperhidrosis is overactive sympathetic nerves stimulating sweat glands, and treatment aims to block this pathway.
Considerations
- For permanent results, endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy surgery can be considered, though it carries risks of compensatory sweating elsewhere, as mentioned in a study published in 2018 3.
- A study in 2014 compared botulinum toxin versus iontophoresis with topical aluminium chloride hexahydrate in treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis, showing better improvements with botulinum therapy 1.