What are the treatment options for sweaty palms?

Palmar hyperhidrosis is sweating from the hands that is greater than the body needs for cooling. It may occur during quiet activities as well as heat, exercise or stress, and can make paper, tools or phones difficult to hold. A clinician will ask when sweating began, whether sleep is affected, which medicines you take and whether other body areas sweat excessively. Sudden generalised sweating can have a different cause and needs medical assessment.

Iontophoresis passes a mild electrical current through water while the hands rest in trays; repeated sessions can reduce sweat output for some people. Botulinum toxin injections temporarily block signals to sweat glands in the treated palms. They may cause injection discomfort or temporary weakness in hand muscles, so the injection plan matters. Your clinician may also discuss antiperspirant products or treatment of an underlying cause. Keep a record of triggers and bring a list of medicines to the consultation.

Arrange assessment if sweating starts suddenly, affects the whole body, occurs during sleep or comes with weight change, fever, tremor, chest symptoms or faintness. Seek urgent help for chest pain, severe breathlessness or confusion. Contact the treating clinic if a hand becomes increasingly weak, swollen, numb or painful after injections.

Ask whether your pattern suggests primary or secondary sweating, how often treatment is needed, whether hand weakness is a concern, and which option fits your work and daily activities.