Why do I have sweaty palms? (Query)

Tired of dealing with sweaty palms and excessive sweating? Here's what you need to know about this condition.

Written By: Anuradha Varanasi | Updated : May 25, 2016 10:25 AM IST

I am a 24-year-old woman and I have extremely sweaty palms. Even if it isn t too hot or humid, I have noticed my palms are always sweaty due to which I have to keep tissue papers in my pocket all the time and wipe my hands thoroughly before I shake hands with someone. I also face difficulties in opening doors or holding certain objects for a long time because of this problem. What are the causes of sweaty palms and should I be worried?

This query was answered by Dr Pradip Shah, Consultant Physician, Fortis Hospital, Mumbai.

Sweaty palms are not a cause of concern when it comes to your health and general well-being. It is actually quite common for people to have sweaty palms, especially during summers when the humidity is at an all time high. However, for those who have sweaty palms despite the weather conditions, the main cause is usually excessive sweating or what is medically known as hyperhidrosis.

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People who only sweat excessively on their palms suffer from a condition known as palmar hyperhidrosis. This is the most common cause of clammy hands. Excessive sweating can take place irrespective of the temperature or any physical activity and this is due to overactive sweat glands. Here are expert tips to deal with excessive sweating.

Another major cause of sweaty palms is when the person is suffering from anxiety or is in a stressful or even exciting situation. The sweat glands are mainly present in a person s feet and hands and they are directly connected to the sympathetic nervous system which gets activated when you re stressed out.

Other than anxiety and stress, there are no underlying health conditions that cause sweaty palms. Hyperhidrosis doesn t affect your health in anyway and basically means excessive sweating . You can try these home remedies for sweaty palms that will help in keeping your hands dry.