Over-activity of the sympathetic nervous system can result in sweaty palms. Individuals may experience sweaty palms during routine times of social interaction, such as meeting friends for lunch or paying for purchases at a store. Sweaty palms can lead to difficulties in social or professional life, and treatment of sweaty palms can improve quality of life.
Why do we get sweaty palms?
Humans generate heat to keep the internal body temperature around 98 degrees, and this usually varies only by 4 degrees in either direction. The body creates this heat through normal metabolism, (breaking down food products for energy).
After the heat is created, around 90% is usually lost through the skin. Humans are able to control how much heat is lost through the skin by controlling the amount of blood that flows to the skin. If the blood flow to the skin is increased, there is more heat exchange. An increase in perspiration (i.e. sweaty palms) helps this heat exchange.
Sweaty Palms can occur when there is a disruption in the balance of the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is the main control center for sweat glands, including those in the palms. The sympathetic nervous system is a division of the autonomic nervous system. We do not have control over the autonomic nervous system, therefore we cannot generally control the amount of sweat we produce. Overly sweaty palms can thus be seen as a disruption in the balance of a crucial everyday process.
Treatment of Sweaty Palms
There is treatment to stop sweaty palms. This includes non-surgical treatment as well as surgical treatment of sweaty feet with endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy.
Useful Links on Sweaty Palms
