Can You Help Solve an Embarrassing Problem?

Updated on April 03, 2008
E.B. asks from Tucson, AZ
27 answers

My teenager is concerned that his hands are always very moist. He's embarrassed to shake hands with people or hold their hands because of this. Has anyone heard of an idea to help eliminate this? Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thank you so much to all of you that responded to my question about sweaty hands! In 24 hours I received a wonderful variety of answers from 23 different people! Amazing! I wrote down all of your ideas and will check into each of them starting with his doctor. I really appreciate your input!

Featured Answers

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P.H.

answers from Phoenix on

My friend gets Botox injections in her arm-pits for excessive sweating. She has not had to use anti-perspirant in a year. NO SWEAT.
Ask a Dr. about Botox. If it helps underarms perhaps it would help hands.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.N.

answers from Phoenix on

I saw Dr. Oz on Oprah this week, either tues. or wed. They addressed this issue. See if you can find the show online.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.M.

answers from Phoenix on

My sister in law had the same problem, and she went to a dermatologist who gave her some antiperpirant medication to put on her hands at night. From what I understand, it worked pretty well. My husband can also get the same problem (I guess it runs in their family!). His usually will improve when he's wearing socks. Weird, I know. =) good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

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A.D.

answers from Phoenix on

A good friend of mine also has a teen son with the same problem and took him to the Dr. It turns out that he has Automatic Sweat Syndrome. Maybe you want to check into that possibility?

1 mom found this helpful
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L.W.

answers from Santa Fe on

I've heard of hypnotherapy helping with moist and sweaty hands.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.C.

answers from Flagstaff on

That was on Oprah and Dr Oz yesterday. They suggested not drinking sodas or caffeine. He also suggested using a more Asia type greeting of bowing to people.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.H.

answers from Phoenix on

It is probably a type of skin problem, like eczema. My daughter has it and the dermatologist gave her some hand cream/ lotion that will help, but doesn't solve the problem. I have a friend whose daughter actually had surgery on her sweat glands to stop the problem. It stopped it and she is a happy mother of three now.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.H.

answers from Flagstaff on

This subject was on Oprah yesterday. Dr Oz suggested going to a Dr and getting the Thryoid tested, or antipersipant RX strength through the Dr.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.R.

answers from Tucson on

I'm not sure how extreme his problem is but I had the exact same problem when I was in high school. My hands and feet sweat really bad. Anyways just recently someone told me that there are shots that you can get in your hands and feet that will stop the sweating. If I had known about them then I would have done it cause I was always so embarassed about my hands especially. Good luck.

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J.S.

answers from Phoenix on

inquire about botox injections. This lasts for a few months per treatment.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.G.

answers from Phoenix on

I don't know if this will work, but it is worth a try. You know those extra powerful deoderant? the ones that are almost 8 dollars in the store. well supposedly used under the armpits in the evening redirect the sweat to another part of the body (usually the head). the redirection could last 3 days.

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C.W.

answers from Tucson on

I saw on the Discovery channel that this is a problem that can be solved with surgery. I don't remember what's called, but I think they cut a nerve in her inner arm to keep the sweat glands from working so much. Take her to the doctor. I don't know if it's covered by insurance, but I think it's a half hour procedure and it's cured for life.
Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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B.W.

answers from Phoenix on

I think doctors have a pill that can help.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.A.

answers from Tucson on

My brother has that same problem and we got him a face wash that drys skin out like clean and clear the orange bottle and he washes his hands in it and it drys them out then he uses johnsons baby lotion and rubs it in and then drys his hands off

1 mom found this helpful
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S.R.

answers from Flagstaff on

E.,
my sister had this problem for years except it was her hands and feet. She would always have a paper towel in her hands especially when she was in school or around the public.. Some one had recomended acupuncture for getting rid of the sweat it sounded strange at first but with nothing to lose she gave it a try. I think the cost was around 50 dollars give or take a few.... and it actually worked she was able to hold hands with her boyfriend with out being embarrised. Ive also heard about certain diets that can also help too... I would definitly consider your options before you think about surgery.. I hope this helped... Good Luck.. S.

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C.L.

answers from Phoenix on

Dr Oz was just talking about this on Oprah yesterday! He said to cut out ALL caffiene. You might want to check out www.oprah.com for info from yesterdays show.

Good luck!
C.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.W.

answers from Phoenix on

Baby powder. I used to have the same problem when I was that age and I used to carry baby powder with me so it would help with the wetness.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.C.

answers from Phoenix on

I had a niece with the same problem! She had a surgery that corrected the problem! I am not sure what it is called but if you are interested I will contact her and ask her exactly what it was called! Her hands would litterally drip with sweat even in the freezing cold weather! It was strange. But she had this surgery and has the problem no longer!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi E., my older brother had the same issue when he was a teenager. I remember my mother taking him to the dermatologist. I'd start there and ask plenty of questions when you call. I'll speak to him and get back to you.
S.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.M.

answers from Phoenix on

I have the same problem and have since I was a teen and I am 38!! shaking hands is only an option....there are other ways to greet others.

I keep tissue available, wipe my hands often!! I also wash my hands often. It helps. PLEASE becareful of using products with lots of chemicals....they will go right into his system.

Work on the self esteem, then there is not that nervous sensitivity!!!

Oh isn't growing up fun!!!

T.
www.tesabartell.myarbonne.com

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J.A.

answers from Phoenix on

my cousin has the same problem...he has been trying to get it fixed for years. he is 28 years old. he had a surgery to block the sweat glands, it did help a little, but not completely. I know he found out about it by searching the internet. if I can find out the name of the surgery he had, I will let you know. good luck!

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J.K.

answers from Phoenix on

I had this problem too. Eventually, I did out grow it!

I had a friend though that would actually have sch moist hands that it would leave little drops of sweat wherever she laid her hand. They had to do surgery. It was a little scary how she explained what they did. They had to deflate one lung cut whatever...then let it fill up again.

You might want to look into vitamins or such.

I always hated to shake hands and would carry tissue in my pocket so I could give the tissue a squeeze before I shook hands!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.

answers from Albuquerque on

see your doctor as there is prescription meds for this

1 mom found this helpful
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H.S.

answers from Albuquerque on

I did not see the recent Dr OZ on Oprah show, but I saw him address something similar a while back (maybe a re-run this week?). Anyhow, he had a woman with super sweaty feet soak her feet in strong black tea. I'm not sure how often but it did help with the problem. I've also heard of rubbing natural crystal deodorant on ones feet to help relieve the prob--maybe it would also work with hands.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.B.

answers from Phoenix on

I just saw this on Oprah yesterday. Dr Oz suggested that he quit drinking caffeine and to have his thyroid checked. In the mean time he could use antipersperant on his hands. I know it sounds weird but that's what the doc said.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.K.

answers from Phoenix on

A quick remedy I've heard of is to put anti-persperant on his hands which will keep back the sweating.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Someone was just on Oprah yesterday with the same problem. He asked Dr. OZ about tie. He suggested cutting chocolate and caffine from his diet. He also mentioned a spray you can use. I believe it was just an over the counter athletes foot spray. There is a surgery for it but he did not seem to think this was a good idea. You might be able to find more info. on Oprah.com.

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