With the typically hot weather in our country regardless of the season, “sweating” is considered a normal occurrence but we should also carefully observe whether the “sweat that comes out,” whether on the body, armpits, folds, or hands, is abnormally excessive. Because if it is found that there is an abnormal amount of sweating, it could be a sign of a serious disease or an abnormality in the body that may affect our quality of life and happiness. Currently, excessive sweating of the hands is becoming more common. To provide guidance for observing symptoms and understanding the condition of excessive hand sweating clearly—whether it is just normal sweating or caused by an abnormality—today we will introduce this condition in more detail.
What is excessive hand sweating? Get to know it better to understand more.
Excessive hand sweating is a condition where sweating occurs abnormally in large amounts. It can actually happen in many parts of the body, but the hands are the most impactful on a patient’s daily life because it interferes with their responsibilities. Medically, excessive hand sweating is called Hyperhidrosis, which can be divided into two main groups: one group where excessive hand sweating is triggered by other diseases such as heart disease or thyroid disease, and the other group where it is caused by abnormal functioning of the autonomic nervous system or overactive sweat glands. The latter group is more commonly found.
How much sweating on the hands is considered abnormal?
In reality, we cannot measure or count the exact amount of sweat that defines abnormality. Instead, we consider the pattern of daily life. For example, if you normally live and work in an air-conditioned room at 23-25 degrees Celsius but sweat drips from your hands or flows like when playing sports, this is considered abnormal. Another example is related to work duties: if you work outdoors or do heavy labor, it is likely to have excessive sweating. However, if your job does not involve outdoor work or heavy labor and you mostly work in air-conditioned rooms but sweat when nervous or in social situations, this tends to be abnormal. Overall, to observe whether you have abnormal sweating, consider whether the amount of sweat relates appropriately to your work and lifestyle. If you sit still in an air-conditioned room and sweat, this is definitely abnormal.
How is the cause of abnormal sweating diagnosed?
When a patient visits a doctor with excessive hand sweating, the first step is to take a medical history, ask about symptoms, and perform a physical examination to investigate the cause of the abnormal sweating. Blood tests and chest X-rays may also be done to confirm whether heart disease or thyroid disease is the trigger. If so, treatment will follow the guidelines for those diseases. If not, and the diagnosis is excessive hand sweating caused by autonomic nervous system dysfunction, specialized treatment will be required, and the patient must decide on the most suitable treatment approach.
How is it treated to stop sweating and return to normal life?
Currently, there are three treatment methods for excessive hand sweating in Thailand:
- Topical medication treatment using a drug containing aluminum chloride, which reduces the activity of sweat glands in the hands. This is the easiest and most economical method but is only a temporary solution, requiring frequent application several times a day.
- Injection treatment using botulinum toxin, the same type used to treat facial wrinkles. The injected botulinum toxin inhibits neurotransmitters that stimulate sweat glands, preventing sweat production. This treatment can suppress excessive sweating for up to 6 months depending on the patient’s body. It is not a permanent cure and carries risks of complications that may cause hand muscle dysfunction, affecting hand use.
- Endoscopic surgery treatment which is currently the best treatment method, offering a cure. The surgical incision is small, about 1 cm under the armpit. The doctor inserts instruments into the chest cavity where the autonomic nerves that control sweat glands are located and cauterizes the nerve ganglion to reduce nerve signals that stimulate sweating. After completion, the incision is closed. This minimally invasive technique causes minimal pain, quick recovery, and allows patients to return home and resume normal life.
How dangerous is it if abnormal hand sweating is left untreated?
The dangers of excessive hand sweating can be divided into two cases: if it is caused by thyroid or heart disease and the patient is unaware, leaving it untreated may lead to serious harm or even death. If it is caused by autonomic nervous system dysfunction, severe cases may cause skin inflammation and abnormal body odor. Excessive hand sweating affects daily life, making it difficult to perform tasks requiring hand use because the sweat interferes with work. It also impacts mental health due to lack of confidence in social interactions or handshakes. Overall, leaving it untreated reduces happiness and quality of life gradually.
Excessive hand sweating or excessive sweating in other body areas is a warning sign that may be caused by serious diseases and can easily reduce life happiness if not treated promptly. To keep life safe and return to normal, confidently using hands for work and socializing again, it is very important to observe symptoms and consult a doctor to choose the most suitable treatment according to your lifestyle. The longer it is left untreated, the more happiness and quality of life will decline.
