Hyperhidrosis Of The Palms - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Hyperhidrosis of the palms

Palmar hyperhidrosis (palmar hyperhidrosis) is a local hyperhidrosis characterized by increased sweating in the palms of the hands. It is palmar hyperhidrosis that occurs more often than others. About 3% of the world's population suffers from it.

If in Russia hyperhidrosis has not yet been recognized by official medicine as a disease, then in countries such as India, Great Britain, Austria and Brazil, qualified specialists are struggling with this pathology. Treatment for hyperhidrosis there is covered and covered by health insurance. Despite the fact that domestic medicine does not recognize hyperhidrosis as a disease, this does not mean that a person should suffer from excessive sweating of the palms throughout his life. Indeed, sometimes hyperhidrosis is so severe that sweat literally drips from the palms, and all objects that a person touches instantly become wet. This embarrassing circumstance in the most negative way affects the quality of life, limits the possibilities of self-realization and communication.

Content:

• Palms hyperhidrosis symptoms
• Causes of hyperhidrosis of the palms
• Diagnostics
• Treatment of hyperhidrosis of the palms
• Prevention

Palms hyperhidrosis symptoms

Symptoms of palmar hyperhidrosis cannot be overlooked. The obvious manifestations of pathology are as follows:

• The palms leave wet marks on paper, on fabric, on all objects with which they come in contact.
• The skin of the palms is red.
• The line pattern on the palms is clear, the furrows are deep.
• While writing, a person will have difficulty holding the pen, as the stationery constantly slips out.

In personal communication, a person undergoes certain difficulties. So, the usual handshake creates a lot of inconvenience. After all, in order not to feel uncomfortable, a person first has to find some kind of fabric on which to wipe the sweat.

Depending on the severity of hyperhidrosis, there are:

• Mild hyperhidrosis of the palms. However, they are always wet, but sweat does not drip from them.
• Moderate hyperhidrosis, in which not only the palms themselves, but also the fingers will be wet.
• Severe hyperhidrosis, which is characterized by profuse sweat flowing down the palms and arms. It protrudes above the skin in the form of drops.

Causes of hyperhidrosis of the palms

Idiopathic hyperhidrosis is the most common condition that affects about 1% of people. It makes itself felt even in infancy, and increases in adolescence. Such hyperhidrosis does not pose a danger to human health, but it can negatively affect the quality of life and the state of the nervous system.

Hyperhidrosis of the palms can be caused by the following reasons:

• Pathological activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the process of perspiration in the human body. It is vagotonia that most often causes increased sweating of the hands (and / or feet). Disorders in the work of the autonomic nervous system are caused by genetic defects, disruptions in the hormonal sphere, and taking medications.
• Separately, it should be highlighted vegetative-vascular dystonia of a constitutional nature, which provokes the appearance of hyperhidrosis already in early childhood. Often, such violations can be traced in blood relatives, that is, they are inherited.
• Hyperhidrosis of the palms can be observed during puberty, as well as during menopause, when endocrine changes in the body occur. In this case, the pathology is temporary and after stabilization of the hormonal background it will be eliminated on its own.

• Hyperhidrosis of the palms, which occurs in an adult without objective reasons, may indicate diseases of the peripheral endocrine glands. We are talking about the adrenal glands, thyroid gland, ovaries. The release of biological substances (thyroxine, catecholamines, steroids or insulin) into the bloodstream cannot pass without a trace, since they all interact with the autonomic nervous system, which means that they can externally manifest themselves in increased sweating.
• Organic brain damage will manifest itself in neurogenic disorders of thermoregulation. Sweating is one of the processes of body temperature control by the body itself, therefore, in case of a sudden onset of hyperhidrosis of the palms, you should consult a neurologist.
• The connection between hyperhidrosis and neuroses has long been traced and proven. Increased sweating of the palms can occur after suffering stress or emotional distress.
• Dermatological diseases that can lead to local hyperhidrosis of the palms: psoriasis, blue nevus, vitiligo.
• Genetic diseases in which hyperhidrosis of the palms occurs as a concomitant syndrome: Touraine polykeratosis, Brunauer syndrome, Weir-Mitchell erythromelalgia.

It should be noted that sweating of the palms is not always a sign of a pathological condition.

Sometimes the body reacts in this way to internal or external irritating factors, which is quite natural, for example:

• The person has experienced severe stress, excitement, or fear. In this case, a one-time release of adrenaline into the blood occurs in the body, which is expressed in increased sweating. This is especially pronounced in adolescence, against the background of unstable hormonal levels.
• High ambient temperatures increase body temperature, for which the body triggers sweating mechanisms to cool it.
• Weakness after an illness may be accompanied by increased sweating of the palms and trunk as a whole.
• Eating foods containing extractives (onions, garlic, spices, herbs, coffee, etc.) can cause increased sweating.

Therefore, if your hands sweat from time to time, then you should not worry about this. However, when excessive sweating is present on an ongoing basis, you need to think about visiting a doctor and establishing the cause of hyperhidrosis.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of palmar hyperhidrosis begins with examination and questioning of the patient. The doctor will be interested in how long ago a person began to be bothered by this problem, what preceded it (stress, emotional shock), whether any family member suffers from a similar problem.

When hyperhidrosis of the palms is idiopathic, then besides excessive sweating, no other pathological signs will be identified. If sweating of the palms is a consequence of a disturbance in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, then the following additional signs will be found: bradycardia, cold pale skin, tachycardia, tremors of the extremities, unstable body temperature, etc. Obesity is often observed in diabetes mellitus.

To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe the following laboratory tests to the patient:

• Donation of blood for general and biochemical analysis.
• Blood test for latent infections (syphilis, HIV, hepatitis).
• Blood test for thyroid hormones (T3, T4, parathyroid hormone).
• A blood test to determine the level of glucose.
• General urine analysis.

Focusing on the clinical manifestations of the disease and conducting laboratory tests will allow you to accurately find out the cause of hyperhidrosis and prescribe quality treatment. In the event that hyperhidrosis has an idiopathic onset, no abnormalities in these laboratory tests will be detected. It is important to take into account that the neurogenic nature of hyperhidrosis is also not reflected by any changes in the picture of blood or urine, therefore, special attention should be paid to the conversation with the patient. It is possible that he may need the help of a psychiatrist and a neuropathologist.

Treatment of hyperhidrosis of the palms

The tactics of managing patients with hyperhidrosis depends on the cause that provoked this disorder. When hyperhidrosis is a consequence of a disease (endocrine pathology, diabetes mellitus, infection, etc.), then treatment should be aimed at eliminating it.

Particular importance should be attached to the correction of the emotional sphere with the help of psychotherapeutic methods. With anxiety, stress, fear - for all these conditions, the administration of tranquilizers and antidepressants is prescribed in a complex treatment regimen. The following drugs have a good effect: Amitriptyline, Imizin, Melleril. In parallel, sedatives with a vegetable base (valerian extract, Sedavit, motherwort infusion, etc.) can be used.

The achieved therapeutic effect can be consolidated with the help of physiotherapy. This can be electrosleep, the use of a galvanic collar according to Shcherbak, iontophoresis, taking coniferous salt baths.

Provided that hyperhidrosis is an independent disorder, measures should be taken to eliminate its manifestations or reduce their severity. For this purpose, it is possible to use antiperspirants. They are simple and affordable means for eliminating hyperhidrosis, but they do not have a long-term effect. Means for professional care of palms with excessive sweating: Klima, Everdry, Odaban 30%, Active dry. They are applied to clean, dry skin of the hands and left until completely absorbed.

Topical preparations for the local treatment of hyperhidrosis include various creams and pastes. Among them: Formagel (disinfects the skin, inhibits perspiration), Teymurov paste (has a deodorizing, drying and antiseptic effect). It should be noted that these funds are medicinal products, therefore, you should consult your doctor before using them.

Quick remedies for hand sweating:

• Washing hands frequently with or without soap.
• Applying an antiseptic to the palms when there is no way to wash your hands in the sink. The alcohol contained in such products will dry your hands.
• Use of disposable alcohol-based wipes. This method is universal. Always keep napkins with you and wipe your hands with them, for example, before shaking hands.
• Cooling hands with cold water or a stream of cool air.
• Powder your hands with talcum or powder. This is true when wet palms become an obstacle to lifting weights, jumping rope and in other things that require a firm grip. In order not to provoke allergies, you can use baby powder or starch.

More radical methods of getting rid of palmar hyperhidrosis include the introduction of botulinum toxin under the skin of the palms. Botox is injected into the area of the sweat glands, which blocks their performance for a long time. The effect can last for 6-12 months. In the future, you will need to repeat the procedure.

Sympathectomy is a radical surgery that removes a nerve inside the chest. This breaks down the nerve signal that is responsible for controlling perspiration in the body. It should be noted that the decision on the operation cannot be hasty. Moreover, the body may start looking for other ways to remove sweat. He will do this, for example, through the sweat glands located on the back. Therefore, getting rid of sweating of the palms, you can acquire a much more global problem.

Prevention

You should not wear things that increase perspiration. Gloves and mittens should only be used when there is a real need for them (during the cold season). If it's warm outside, it is not recommended to wear such things. They will allow you to hide the sweating of your hands, but get rid of it in a state. On the contrary, the palms will become even hotter and sweat more than usual.

Do not use petroleum jelly-based products or cosmetics with oils for hand care. They prevent the skin from drying out as they retain moisture. As a result, the palms will constantly be greasy.

An antiperspirant should be regularly applied to your hands. Any means with the mark: "clinical strength" are suitable. They contain aluminum chloride hexahydrate to reduce sweating.

As far as possible, you need to avoid stress and nervous strain. Such banal receptions as a bath with salt, a quiet evening spent in a family atmosphere often help to calm down.

At home, you should do hand baths with sea salt, a solution of potassium permanganate, decoctions of herbs (oak bark, chamomile, sage).

Provided that hyperhidrosis develops in an adult rapidly and suddenly, you should seek the advice of a specialist.

The author of the article: Kuzmina Vera Valerievna | Endocrinologist, nutritionist

Education: Diploma of the Russian State Medical University named after NI Pirogov with a degree in General Medicine (2004). Residency at Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, diploma in Endocrinology (2006).