What should you know about super sweaty hands?

Palms sweat as part of temperature control and the body's response to emotion, concentration or physical activity. In excessive sweating, the palms may become wet without obvious heat and can affect grip, paperwork, keyboards or handshakes. It may begin early in life and occur with sweaty feet, or it may appear with a medicine or another health problem. Repeated dampness and wiping can irritate the skin. Athlete's foot affects the feet rather than the palms, so a hand rash needs its own assessment.

Carry a soft towel, dry hands before handling tools or electronics and use a bland moisturiser if frequent washing causes cracking. Wash with lukewarm water and avoid harsh cleansers that leave the skin tight. Note when episodes occur and whether they affect sleep, work or exercise. A clinician may discuss prescription antiperspirant or iontophoresis; both should be used according to professional instructions and not over broken or inflamed skin. Treatment choice depends on your health, skin condition and the pattern of sweating.

Seek an assessment when palm sweating is new, widespread, occurs during sleep, follows a medicine change or comes with tremor, fever, weight change or palpitations. Get urgent help for sweating with chest pain, fainting, severe breathlessness, confusion or marked weakness.

Could a medicine or medical condition be contributing? Is my sweating limited to the palms? Would prescription antiperspirant or iontophoresis suit my skin? How can I prevent cracking while treating the sweating?