Why clammy hands and feet

Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that most commonly occurs in the hands palmar hyperhidrosis , axillae axillary hyperhidrosis , and feet plantar hyperhidrosis. The excessive sweating is usually intermittent but can be continuous. It usually increases with stress and elevated temperature. The basic problem with hyperhidrosis is over-activity of the sympathetic nervous system. This leads to excessive stimulation of sweat glands and vasoconstriction narrowing of arteries. Ironically, at the same time when the excessive stimulation to the sweat glands makes the hands wet, this means that decreased blood flow to the hands makes them cold and clammy.

Hyperhidrosis can be caused by other diseases, including obesity, increased thyroid function, etc. However, the most hyperhidrosis is not due to other medical problems.

Palmar hyperhidrosis can be a severely debilitating problem. Wet hands are extremely embarrassing when shaking hands with people so it severely interferes with social and business activities. Axillary sweating can be so severe that patients that people have to change their shirts several times per day, wear only dark colors that do not show the sweat as much and avoid certain materials, such as silk, that are destroyed by the sweat.

Pedal sweating may cause the foot to slip off the brake when driving a car, slip in a sandal to cause a twisted ankle or fill a shoe with sweat so that the shoe cannot be worn on consecutive days. The cause of hyperhidrosis can be serious. For some, hyperhidrosis symptoms are so severe that it becomes embarrassing, causing discomfort and anxiety.

Fortunately, there are several options which can treat symptoms effectively. The biggest challenge in treating hyperhidrosis is the significant number of people who do not seek medical advice, either due to embarrassment or because they do not know that effective treatment exists. Hyperhidrosis is defined as sweating that disrupts normal activities. Episodes of excessive sweating occur at least once a week for no clear reason and have an effect on social life or daily activities.

Experts are not certain why, but excessive sweating during sleep is not common for people with primary hyperhidrosis the type not linked to any underlying medical condition. The causes of primary hyperhidrosis are not well-understood; on the other hand, secondary hyperhidrosis has a long list of known causes. However, recent research has demonstrated that individuals with primary hyperhidrosis are no more prone to feelings of anxiety , nervousness, or emotional stress than the rest of the population when exposed to the same triggers.

In fact, it is the other way round — the emotional and mental feelings experienced by many patients with hyperhidrosis are because of the excessive sweating. Studies have also shown that certain genes play a role in hyperhidrosis, making it look more likely that it could be inherited. The majority of patients with primary hyperhidrosis have a sibling or parent with the condition. Initially, a doctor may try to rule out any underlying conditions, such as an overactive thyroid hyperthyroidism or low blood sugar hypoglycemia by ordering blood and urine tests.

Patients will be asked about the patterns of their sweating — which parts of the body are affected, how often sweating episodes occur, and whether sweating occurs during sleep. The patient may be asked a series of questions, or have to fill in a questionnaire about the impact of excessive sweating; questions may include:.

Thermoregulatory sweat test: a powder which is sensitive to moisture is applied to the skin. Merck Manual Professional Version. Accessed Aug. Smith CC, et al. Primary focal hyperhidrosis. What is a heart attack? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Eisenach JH, et al.

Hyperhidrosis: Evolving therapies for a well-established phenomenon. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Hyperhidrosis excessive sweating. Riggin EA. Decision Support System.

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Hines RL, et al. Diseases of the autonomic and peripheral nervous systems. Philadelphia, Pa. Sweat can cool the body through a process called transpiration, in which heated sweat is released from the body onto the surface of the skin, which then evaporates into the air. This is important to understand in relation to hyperhidrosis.

When a person has hyperhidrosis, they sweat constantly, for an unknown reason. This means that they are often sweating in cold temperatures, when sweating is actually a disadvantage, and so they will often experience clammy hands and feet as a result.

They have a constant source of sweat cooling their hands or feet down, which can create some very uncomfortable situations. Another reason that people with hyperhidrosis often sweat from the hands and feet is because there are a high concentration of eccrine sweat glands on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. People with hyperhidrosis may also experience excessive sweating of other body parts with a high concentration of eccrine glands like the armpit, forehead and back.

The good news is that primary focal hyperhidrosis is not a dangerous condition, although at times it can be distressing. There are a few ways that a person with hyperhidrosis can prevent and treat clammy hands and feet. The first way is to treat the underlying cause, which is hyperhidrosis.

These treatments stop hand and foot sweat and its odor which in turn prevents clammy hands and feet from occuring. There are various treatments available, which were outlined in articles written for the journal Dermatologic Clinics, including:.

Typically, antiperspirants are a good first choice for someone who is just starting treatment for hyperhidrosis. They are noninvasive, inexpensive and easily accessible for patients. In order to begin the other forms of treatment that are listed above, a person would need to manage their hyperhidrosis with a doctor.

Each treatment has benefits and drawbacks, and a dermatologist can help an individual with hyperhidrosis figure out which treatment options work for them.

Some practical habits can reduce the amount of sweating experienced by those with hyperhidrosis. One of these is to wear shoes that do not promote sweating and picking absorbent socks that will keep moisture away from the feet.

It can be a little trickier to deal with sweaty hands, but some find that using antiperspirant wipes and keeping a handkerchief, or other absorbent cloth, in their pocket is useful. There is a clear correlation between stress triggers and the sweating that is experienced by those with primary focal hyperhidrosis. While hyperhidrosis and Raynaud's are common reasons that people may have clammy hands and feet, they are not the only possible causes. Sometimes clammy skin is an indicator of another potential health condition or issue.

Hot flashes are one potential cause of clammy skin. These are typically experienced when a women is in menopause due to fluctuations of the amount of estrogen that is in the body.

Hot flashes are a normal part of the aging process for menopausal women and are not a cause for concern, although they can be disruptive and frequent. Another common cause of clammy skin is fever. However, this is not a reason that someone would have skin that is perpetually clammy. Fever is usually an indicator that the body is fighting off an illness or infection and should not last for an extended period of time. Some more serious health problems can lead to clammy hands and feet, so it is important to speak with a doctor if you are concerned.

An overactive thyroid, known as hyperthyroidism, can cause skin to be clammy for an extended period of time. Luckily, there are medications to treat the condition which can help get rid of clammy skin. In very rare cases, a heart attack can lead to someone having clammy skin temporarily. If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in the back or arm, nausea, and lightheadedness along with suddenly clammy skin then you need to seek medical attention.

However, it is important to remember that in the vast majority of cases clammy hands and feet are not indicative of a dangerous condition.

Not all cases of clammy hands and feet are caused by hyperhidrosis, but for those cases that are, there is hope! Most people can significantly reduce their symptoms and live a more comfortable life with proper treatment. On my first day of work a few years ago, I got dressed to impress and walked the 20 minutes to my new office to meet my new colleagues for the first time.

I arrived to meet my colleagues looking like a wet bass in business clothes. Thank goodness I arrived 15 minutes early, which brings me to the first outrageous thing people try to avoid armpit sweating.

I anxiously scurried to the nearest bathroom, declothed, and put the hand dryer to good use on my shirt stains and sweat stains. More outrageously, I awkwardly hovered my sweaty extremities including my sweaty underarms over the hand dryer. Thankfully, I reapplied my antiperspirant and headed out to meet my colleagues a decently dry man.

That was the day I knew I really needed clinical strength antiperspirant for my excessive armpit sweating and a car. Many with excessive underarm sweating already know that underarm pads are one way to help with sweating armpits.

But if you find yourself sans pad and worried about your excessive armpit sweating, you would not be the first person to try pantyliners. In , a reddit user posted that to combat his excessive armpit sweating, he skipped the typical clothing and made his own shirt. He posted asking others to try out his creation and received over replies! By creating and giving others shirts, this innovative reddit user designed his way into the hearts of many with smelly armpits.

A study found that getting inked helped reduce sweat [1]! Yes, like Steve Carrell who actually has hyperhidrosis himself in the hit movie year Old Virgin, removing hair can help reduce sweat buildup for you too. A more outrageous approach to excessive underarm sweating is actually turning sweating armpits into art.

Creative, fun, and beautiful, and even better when combined with sweat prevention like antiperspirant or carpe underarm. You may already know how to get rid of pit stains with vinegar, but there are other interesting ways it can help with excessive armpit sweating.

Splashing vinegar on your sweaty underarms is one method many recommend. Those that swear by this method also recommend using deodorant or antiperspirant, too. If you find deodorant or antiperspirant irritating, one creative way to help alleviate your excessive underarm sweating is baking soda. Many crafty people with hyperhidrosis swear that not only can baking soda help reduce sweat, but it can also help alleviate pesky underarm smell with some of the best sweat prevention.

Black t-shirt, black sweatshirt, black button down, black tank top. But if you want some variety as you fight excessive armpit sweating, add some plaid, a trick many with hyperhidrosis use that you may not know. You walk in and confidently reach out to shake the CEOs hand.

But then, your confidence turns to dread as the CEO pulls her hand back, wet with your sweat. They get so upset, they tell you to take a break to let another friend play. Despite your domination, your palmar hyperhidrosis excessively sweaty hands has taken center stage. Do these scenarios sound familiar?

Wondering how to cure sweaty hands permanently? One of the best ways to cure sweaty hands at home is actually not related to the hands at all. Instead, working on reducing anxiety can have immensely positive results on how to cure sweaty hands permanently naturally. There are many root causes of anxiety, and some or many may be related to your hyperhidrosis. Likewise, it is easier said than done to reduce anxiety. But there are also many ways to work on reducing anxiety that are worth a try.

One interesting way to reduce anxiety, and in turn, sweaty hands, is to be grateful. Other ways include stepping outside for a walk, drinking tea, or even distracting yourself. In general, starting with anxiety reduction not only can help with how to cure sweaty hands, but also your wellbeing in general. Another great way to cure sweaty hands at home permanently is to reduce consumption of coffee and alcohol.

And while I wholeheartedly agree and enjoy coffee and alcohol myself, consumption in moderation is key, especially with hyperhidrosis. Caffeine, for example, activates part of the brain that is already a main part in causing hyperhidrosis symptoms. Instead of giving it up, try to reduce consumption to under mg or add in decaf to your routine. Alcohol can affect hyperhidrosis in a similar manner, but like coffee, glasses of alcohol may be okay.

When figuring out how to cure sweaty hands permanently naturally, it is important to find a balance of coffee, alcohol, and managing your hyperhidrosis. And remember to always drink responsibly, in moderation. Luckily, there are other great remedies you can try at home! First, finding the right antiperspirant is of paramount importance, especially appropriate antiperspirant for hands.

Another possible over the counter option is anti-sweat wipes. If neither of these work for you, another option to cure your sweaty hands permanently is to buy your very own iontophoresis machine for at-home use. This machine delivers mild electrical currents to your hands or other affected body part while submerged in water.

A combination of these treatments may have your hands feeling less clammy in no time! Ultimately, your palmar hyperhidrosis may not be treatable at home and permanently, but these recommendations may help alleviate some of your symptoms.

If symptoms persist, consult a medical professional for further assistance with how to cure sweaty hands. Our worries about shirt stains, sweaty underarms, and smelly armpits may dominate how we think about excessive armpit sweating.