The condition of hyperhidrosis is caused by the over-stimulation of the sweat glands by the sympathetic nervous system. Hand perspiration can be extreme. A lot of individuals perspire so severely that dripping sweat can actually be seen on the floor. These can be observed even in the most frigid of conditions. A few individuals may not experience dripping sweat, but their hands are typically cold, discolored and clammy. Newspaper print easily mark their hands. Book pages tend to have curled edges due to the constant wetness of their hands.

Before the start of excessive perspiration, several individuals claim to have a tingling sensation on their fingers. One individual claimed, “it seems as if my skin pores are opening up.” The phenomenon is unintentional and cannot be deliberately controlled. There is an unusual interrelationship that develops between anxiety and severe perspiration. The relationship develops variably to a greater or lesser degree in most individuals with extreme hyperhidrosis disorder. The condition is frequently worsened by anxiety. The onset of symptoms usually provokes anxiety to the sufferer. A vicious cycle is unfortunately created due to this. Countless sufferers struggle to get away by pulling out of or staying away from stressful situations. This repetitive pattern is unhealthy and it only serves to create more emotional injury to the person.

People with hyperhidrosis would normally try to hide their hands when having conversations with other people.  They may do one or any of the following things like placing their hands under their arms, putting their hands behind their backs or simply place them under their thighs. Numerous individuals with hyperhidrosis of the hands have reported that holding a cold drink in their hands during social occasions makes shaking other people’s hands socially acceptable. This is because people would tend to assume that the hand they just shook was cold, wet and clammy due to the cold glass.

One reported case about a young woman professional with hyperhidrosis of the hands mentioned that, before a job interview, she would rub her hands on her car’s tire. She would then tell the interviewer that she had had a flat tire and she shouldn’t shake his hand because her hands were filthy. This is a very unfortunate example of how people suffering from this condition try to adapt. This is primarily because people who are not familiar with this particular disorder has the tendency of looking down at the person with the condition.

Fortunately, with the latest advances in modern medicine, many forms of treatment are now available for palmar hyperhidrosis. Antiperspirants are the first choice in the treatment of hyperhidrosis. Iontophoresis home kits are now available for patient use but the equipment that hospitals use is still stronger and more reliable. Botox on the other hand works well but it is quite expensive and the relief it offers only last from 6 to 12 months. Low dosage medication and surgical operations are also utilized to cure severe hyperhidrosis. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy or ETS can be a very effective technique to treat hyperhidrosis. However, great care must be taken in choosing a surgeon. This is due to the risk of side effects from compensatory sweating.  The patient should consider everything carefully before deciding to undergo this procedure.