Sweaty palms can be embarrassing when they happen at the wrong time—and there usually isn’t ever a “right” time, anyway. Beyond that, they can be a hassle when you need to grip and hold things. It’s an inconvenience all around.
Ahead, we’ll take a look at some changes you can make and remedies you can use to get rid of those sweaty hands once and for all.
We included some quick-fix changes and long-term fixes that will help keep your hands dry, regardless of where you are or what you’re doing.
8 Ways to Stop Sweaty Hands & Palms
- Baby Powder
- Using Natural Deodorants
- Sage Soak
- Coconut Oil
- A Change in Diet
- Staying Hydrated
- Exercising
- Medications
Baby Powder
Baby powder is another excellent home remedy for sweaty hands, and it doesn’t require much effort or investment on your part.
Baking soda works as a decent alternative, but the idea is the same. Baby powder and substances like it absorb moisture, which will help get rid of those clammy palms as they start to develop.
We recommend bringing a small bottle of baby powder with you on the go. That way, if the antiperspirant isn’t enough, you can use the powder to get rid of the sweat.
Using Natural Deodorant
Natural deodorants are the first line of defense in most sweaty situations. There are some more extreme measures you can take when figuring out how to stop sweaty hands and palms, but using natural deodorants is one of the safest and easiest places to start.
A natural deodorants will work the same way on your hands as it does in your armpits. It will shrink your sweat pores and reduce the amount they’re able to release.
There are several natural deodorants options. If you want a quick fix without going to the store, you can always use what you have at home.
Outside of that, you can purchase other sprays or roll-on deodorant sticks to use on your hands – whichever form you’re most comfortable with.
Natural deodorants are ideal for situations that you know will cause you to sweat. Exercising, gaming, and playing an instrument can all trigger sweaty hands, so it’s helpful to add some antiperspirant to prevent the inevitable.
How to Use Natural Deodorant on Your Hands
The first – and most important – tip about using natural deodorants on your hands is that you need to apply it when your hands are dry. The product won’t absorb into your pores if there’s any moisture in the way.
You should apply the natural deodorants one to three times per day – especially before activities that commonly make your hands sweat.
It’s even a good idea to put some on if you’re a nervous sweater.
Sage Soak
Sage is becoming more and more popular as an ingredient in deodorant, and some people are replacing it entirely.
You can use sage tea as a natural home remedy to help prevent your hands from sweating too frequently.
To start a sage soak, all you have to do is get four or five bags of tea, fill a large bowl with water, and let them steep. Once the tea has cooled, soak your hands in for about 30 minutes.
Drinking the tea works as well, so make a pot for yourself as well. A sage soak will limit some sweating over time, but it’s not as quick of a fix as some of our other tips.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is one of the natural “miracle” products you’ll find. It works well for a lot of things. It’s antibacterial, and it’s also a natural antiperspirant.
Using coconut oil has a ton of topical benefits, so it will help strengthen the skin of your hands even if the antiperspirant properties aren’t strong enough.
A Change in Diet
Changing your diet isn’t a quick-fix solution to reducing your sweaty palms, but it will make a drastic difference over time.
The phrase “you are what you eat” is truer than people realize. Your food is your fuel, and some foods can cause your body to produce more sweat than others will.
Your diet doesn’t just affect your energy levels. Eating too much of the wrong kind of food will make you gain weight, add to your anxiety or stress, lead to illnesses, and make you sweat more frequently.
The recipe for changing your diet is simple, but we know it’s not as easy as it sounds. The best way to get started is to make small improvements that add up over time.
Caffeine, spicy foods, fried foods, processed foods, and alcohol can all trigger your hands to start sweating. They raise your heart rate which raises your body temperature, causing you to sweat.
Supplementing Your Diet
Supplementing your diet with vitamins is also a way to curb your clammy hands. You can, for instance, use B-vitamins as an energy boost instead of relying on your morning cup of coffee.
A troubling number of Americans have a vitamin D deficiency as well, so it’s important to take vitamin D supplements along with your dietary changes.
Of course, vegetables and fruits will help improve your overall well-being as well, leading to a reduction in your hand sweating.
Fruits with a lot of water will also help keep you hydrated, which leads us into our next tip on how to stop sweaty hands and palms.
Staying Hydrated
Staying hydrated is an essential tip for anyone, but it’s especially important if you suffer from palmar hyperhidrosis.
Drinking water can lower your body temperature, which will keep you cool and prevent you from sweating too frequently.
In some cases, people can mistake your body’s call for water as the sensation of being hungry. Junk foods and like burgers and chicken nuggets will only make your sweaty palms worse, so it’s best to keep a water bottle handy to bring your body temperature down and replenish any hydration you lose by sweating.
Exercising
It’s counterintuitive to think that exercising will actually reduce the amount you sweat, but it’s true.
Of course, you’re going to sweat more when you’re exercising than when you’re resting. You’ll probably need one of our other fixes to limit the amount you sweat while you’re in the gym or on the run.
There are all kinds of ways you can get a good workout in. You can join a class, pick up a sport, hit the gym, go for a bike ride – pretty much anything that gets your heart rate up.
Raising your heart rate while you’re exercising will keep it lower the rest of the time. This will keep your body temperature down and limit the amount you sweat while resting.
Medications
These home remedies and lifestyle changes might not be enough for those who have severe cases of palmar hyperhidrosis.
In these cases, you will need to visit a dermatologist and get a prescription. These medications will mostly consist of topical creams but may include oral medicine as well.
There are a lot of options out there, but you’ll need to see a doctor first. If our list doesn’t work out for you, don’t be afraid to seek medical help.
Why Are Your Hands So Sweaty?
There are several reasons your hands might start to sweat. It’s helpful to understand them before you dive deep into the home remedies we included.
Here are a few reasons you may experience sweaty palms and hands.
Palmar Hyperhidrosis
Palmar hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes your hands to sweat excessively. A lot of people get sweaty hands in certain situations, but those who have persistent sweaty palms and hands may have palmar hyperhidrosis.
You should check with a dermatologist if you’re concerned about your sweaty palms. Getting sweaty hands is normal, but you may need more advanced treatment if our list of fixes doesn’t work for you.
Genetics
There is an element of genetics when it comes to how much you sweat. Hyperhidrosis is hereditary – even if it doesn’t affect any of your direct family members.
You might not have palmar hyperhidrosis, though; your palms just might tend to get sweaty during certain activities.
Genetics can be part of this as well. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do about your genes other than using some of the remedies we included on our list of fixes.
Stress and Nerves
Nerves and stress are two common culprits of sweaty hands as well, which is particularly troublesome when you need to shake someone’s hand.
These emotions can trigger the natural “fight or flight” response in your body. Your body then releases hormones that get you ready to fight or flee, which includes raising your temperature.
Of course, a rise in body temperature means you’re going to start sweating a bit, especially in your hands.
Finding Relief for Sweaty Hands
Hopefully, we were able to give you some insight into how to stop sweaty hands and palms. The home remedies and lifestyle changes we’ve listed should take care of a lot of instances that cause your hands to start sweating.
You don’t have to accept that your sweaty hands and palms are just a part of life. There are several ways to resolve the issue, even if it involves going to the doctor and getting a prescription.