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Hyperhidrosis of the palms (palmar hyperhidrosis) is a local hyperhidrosis, which is characterized by increased sweating in the area of the hands from the side of the palms. Palmar hyperhidrosis is the most common. 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 of hyperhidrosis there is included in the medical insurance and covered by it. 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 constraining circumstance affects the quality of life in the most negative way, limits the possibilities of self-realization and communication.
Symptoms of hyperhidrosis of the palms
Symptoms of hyperhidrosis of the palms can not be overlooked. Obvious manifestations of pathology are as follows:
The palms leave wet marks on paper, on fabric, on all objects with which they come into contact.
The skin of the palms is red.
The pattern of lines on the palms is clear, the furrows are deep.
While writing, a person will have difficulty holding the pen, as 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 embarrassed, a person must first find some kind of cloth on which to wipe the sweat.
Depending on the severity of hyperhidrosis, there are:
Mild hyperhidrosis of the palms. At the same time, they are always wet, but drops of sweat do 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 sweating on the palms and arms. It protrudes above the skin in the form of a drop.
Causes of hyperhidrosis of the palms
Idiopathic hyperhidrosis is the most common disorder, occurring in about 1% of people. It makes itself felt even in infancy, and in adolescence it intensifies. 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 sweating in the human body. It is vagotonia that most often causes excessive 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, vegetative vascular dystonia of a constitutional nature should be singled out, 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 the stabilization of the hormonal background, it will be eliminated on its own.
Hyperhidrosis of the palms, which has arisen in an adult without objective reasons, may indicate diseases of the peripheral endocrine glands. We are talking about the adrenal glands, the thyroid gland, the ovaries. The release of biological substances into the blood (thyroxine, catecholamines, steroids or insulin) cannot pass without a trace, since all of them interact with the autonomic nervous system, which means that they can externally be expressed in increased sweating.
Organic lesions of the brain will manifest themselves in neurogenic disorders of thermoregulation. Sweating is one of the processes of body temperature control by the body itself, therefore, with a sudden onset of hyperhidrosis of the palms, you should contact a neurologist.
The link between hyperhidrosis and neurosis has long been traced and proven. Increased sweating of the palms can happen after suffering stress or emotional shock.
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’s polykeratosis, Brunauer’s syndrome, Weir-Mitchell’s erythromelalgia.
It should be noted that sweating of the palms is not always a sign of a pathological condition.
Sometimes the body reacts in a similar way to internal or external irritating factors, which is quite natural, for example:
The person has experienced severe stress, excitement or fear. In the body, in this case, a single release of adrenaline into the blood occurs, which is expressed in increased sweating. This is especially pronounced in adolescence, against the background of an unstable hormonal background.
The high ambient temperature increases the body temperature, to cool which the body triggers the mechanisms of sweating.
Weakness after an illness may be accompanied by increased sweating of the palms and torso as a whole.
Eating foods containing extractives (onions, garlic, spices, spices, 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 hyperhidrosis of the palms begins with an examination and questioning of the patient. The doctor will be interested in how long the person began to worry about this problem, what preceded this (stress, emotional shock), whether any of the family members suffer from a similar problem.
When palmar hyperhidrosis is idiopathic, other than excessive sweating, no other pathological signs will be identified. If sweating of the palms is a consequence of a violation in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, then the following additional signs will be detected: bradycardia, cold pale skin, tachycardia, tremor of the limbs, 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:
Blood donation for general and biochemical analysis.
Blood test for latent infections (syphilis, HIV, hepatitis).
Blood test for thyroid hormones (T3, T4, parathyroid hormone).
Blood test to determine the level of glucose.
General urine analysis.
Focusing on the clinical manifestations of the disease and conducting laboratory tests will accurately determine the cause of hyperhidrosis and prescribe a quality treatment. In the case when hyperhidrosis has an idiopathic onset, no abnormalities in the data of laboratory tests will be revealed. It is important to take into account that the neurogenic nature of hyperhidrosis is also not reflected in any changes in the picture of blood or urine, so the conversation with the patient should be given special importance. It is possible that he may need the help of a psychiatrist and a neurologist.
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, fears – with all these conditions, tranquilizers and antidepressants are prescribed in a complex treatment regimen. The following drugs have a good effect: Amitriptyline, Imizin, Melleril. In parallel, sedatives that have a plant base (valerian extract, Sedavit, motherwort infusion, etc.) can be used.
It is possible to consolidate the achieved therapeutic effect 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 violation, 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 to eliminate hyperhidrosis, but do not have a lasting effect. Professional care products for hands 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 sweating), Teymur paste (has a deodorizing, drying and antiseptic effect). It should be noted that these funds are medical preparations, therefore, before using them, you should consult your doctor.
Quick remedies to get rid of sweaty hands:
Frequent hand washing with or without soap.
Applying an antiseptic to the palms at a time when it is not possible to wash your hands in the sink. The alcohol contained in such products will dry the skin of the hands.
Using alcohol-based disposable wipes. This method is universal. Napkins should always be kept with you and wipe your hands with them, for example, before the upcoming handshake.
Cooling hands with cold water or a stream of cool air.
Powdering hands with talc or powder. This is true in the case when wet palms become an obstacle to lifting weights, jumping rope and other things that require a firm grip. In order not to provoke an allergy, you can use baby powder or starch.
More radical methods of getting rid of hyperhidrosis of the palms 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 may last for 6-12 months. In the future, you will need to repeat the procedure.
A sympathectomy is a radical operation to remove a nerve inside the chest. Thus, there is a break in the nerve signal that is responsible for controlling sweating in the body. It should be noted that the decision to operate cannot be hasty. Moreover, the body may begin to look 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 palms, you can get a much more global problem.
Prevention
You should not wear those things that contribute to increased sweating. Gloves and mittens should be used only when there is a real need for them (during the cold season). If it is warm outside, it is not recommended to wear such things. They will allow you to hide the sweating of the hands, but they are able to get rid of it. On the contrary, the palms will heat up even more and sweat more than usual.
Do not use Vaseline-based or oil-based cosmetics for hand care. They do not allow the skin to dry out, as they retain moisture. As a result, the palms will always be greasy.
Antiperspirant should be regularly applied to the hands. Any means that are marked: “clinical strength” are suitable. They contain aluminum chloride hexahydrate, which will reduce sweating.
As far as possible, stress and nervous tension should be avoided. Such banal tricks as a bath with salt, a quiet evening spent in a family atmosphere often help to calm down.
At home, you should make hand baths with sea salt, a solution of potassium permanganate, decoctions of herbs (oak bark, chamomile, sage).
Provided that hyperhidrosis develops rapidly and suddenly in an adult, you should seek the advice of a specialist.