Causes, Cure & Treatments for Hyperhidrosis of The Hands & Palms
Sweaty Palms is known medically as palmar hyperhidrosis. Sweaty palms/hands are the most common form of hyperhidrosis for those suffering from excessive sweating. Excessive hand sweating (sweaty palms), is a clinical medical condition affecting patients in their day-to-day lives with social and or functional activities. This condition affects 1-2% of the world’s population.
Sweaty Palms is known medically as palmar hyperhidrosis. Sweaty palms/hands are the most common form of hyperhidrosis for those suffering from excessive sweating. Excessive hand sweating (sweaty palms), is a clinical medical condition affecting patients in their day-to-day lives with social and or functional activities. This condition affects 1-2% of the world’s population.
Over time
The good news, is that there is a proven outpatient surgical solution for sweaty palms. Patients, even with sensitive skin, can return home the same day and resume normal activities within a short time. Dedicating his career to hyperhidrosis, Dr. Reisfeld has helped more patients end their suffering from sweaty palms than any other doctor in the U.S. He has an incredible 98%+ success rate.
The good news, is that there is a proven outpatient surgical solution for sweaty palms. Patients, even with sensitive skin, can return home the same day and resume normal activities within a short time. Dedicating his career to hyperhidrosis, Dr. Reisfeld has helped more patients end their suffering from sweaty palms than any other doctor in the U.S. He has an incredible 98%+ success rate.
Below you will find more information on the condition and the proven surgical solution.
Since the 1990s, important advancements have been made, and many operations are now performed with the help of miniature cameras (Endoscopic Surgery). In these surgeries, entrance into the body cavities, such as the abdomen or chest, is done through miniature incisions that results in minimal surgical damage and allows for speedy recoveries.
There are some rare cases in which anatomical abnormalities can be found, preventing the surgeon’s ability to complete the operation safely. Also, in some rare cases severe scarring from previously unrecognized infections within the chest cavity can prevent the surgeon from completing the operation safely.<
Safety always comes first in these elective procedures. Operations today are done on an outpatient basis (patients return home the same day), achieving the same results as the open operation in the past. Today’s procedures can be done without the long hospital stays, severe pain, and excessive scarring.<
There are some rare cases in which anatomical abnormalities can be found, preventing the surgeon’s ability to complete the operation safely. Also, in some rare cases severe scarring from previously unrecognized infections within the chest cavity can prevent the surgeon from completing the operation safely.<
Safety always comes first in these elective procedures. Operations today are done on an outpatient basis (patients return home the same day), achieving the same results as the open operation in the past. Today’s procedures can be done without the long hospital stays, severe pain, and excessive scarring.<
Excessive sweaty hands can be quite severe, affecting a patient’s everyday life both functionally and socially. Everyday activities, such as using computers, musical instruments, and even driving can become a difficult task due to excessive hand sweating.<
Simple tasks, such as opening a doorknob can be difficult. Personal relationships can also be affected negatively. (See Hyperhidrosis Testimonials) In a smaller sub-group of patients, excessive hand sweating is associated with panic attacks, which can be attributed to their fear of simple social situations.<
In about 50% or more of the patients, sweaty palms and hands are genetic. Sweaty palms and hands usually manifests itself early in childhood, and can get more severe towards the late teenage years. In some rare cases hyperhidrosis started, after a definite physical injury, either within the chest cavity or in a few cases because of electrocution.<
These kind of cases are rare but point to other rare possibilities as a cause of hyperhidrosis.<
There are some rare cases in which anatomical abnormalities can be found, preventing the surgeon’s ability to complete the operation safely. Also, in some rare cases severe scarring from previously unrecognized infections within the chest cavity can prevent the surgeon from completing the operation safely.<
Safety always comes first in these elective procedures. Operations today are done on an outpatient basis (patients return home the same day), achieving the same results as the open operation in the past. Today’s procedures can be done without the long hospital stays, severe pain, and excessive scarring.<
Excessive sweaty hands can be quite severe, affecting a patient’s everyday life both functionally and socially. Everyday activities, such as using computers, musical instruments, and even driving can become a difficult task due to excessive hand sweating.<
Simple tasks, such as opening a doorknob can be difficult. Personal relationships can also be affected negatively. (See Hyperhidrosis Testimonials) In a smaller sub-group of patients, excessive hand sweating is associated with panic attacks, which can be attributed to their fear of simple social situations.<
In about 50% or more of the patients, sweaty palms and hands are genetic. Sweaty palms and hands usually manifests itself early in childhood, and can get more severe towards the late teenage years. In some rare cases hyperhidrosis started, after a definite physical injury, either within the chest cavity or in a few cases because of electrocution.<
These kind of cases are rare but point to other rare possibilities as a cause of hyperhidrosis.<
The International Hyperhidrosis Society divides the severity of Palmar Hyperhidrosis, or Excessive Hand Sweating, into four subgroups. Group one consists of patients that have mild hand sweating which does not cause any functional or social problems. On the other end of the spectrum are patients with excessive hand sweating at a level of wetness described as dripping. This affects negatively on a daily basis.
The International Hyperhidrosis Society divides the severity of Palmar Hyperhidrosis, or Excessive Hand Sweating, into four subgroups. Group one consists of patients that have mild hand sweating which does not cause any functional or social problems. On the other end of the spectrum are patients with excessive hand sweating at a level of wetness described as dripping. This affects negatively on a daily basis.
Patients from the last group rarely benefit from conservative measures such as Drysol, Drionic, Maxim, Oral Medications, or BOTOX® Cosmetic. The above classification is an artificial one, and even patients without dripping symptoms are good candidates for the surgery.
In numerous studies, as well as in our experience, the patient’s quality of life is improved dramatically after the operation. For most people, after living under the cloud of hyperhidrosis for so long, the ability to appear with confidence in public and social settings is amazing. This, coupled with an improvement on simple daily tasks such as driving, computer usage, writing, and personal interactions is very uplifting.
For examples please see any number of our numerous hyperhidrosis success stories.
A somewhat misunderstood presenting symptom in palmar hyperhidrosis, is the fact that sweating in palmar hyperhidrosis is limited from the wrist, to the fingers. Any other illness that causes sweating will not be limited only to that segment of the body. This is an important distinction. Other illnesses that can cause sweating, such as diabetes, cancer, and febrile situations will cause overall body sweating.
A somewhat misunderstood presenting symptom in palmar hyperhidrosis, is the fact that sweating in palmar hyperhidrosis is limited from the wrist, to the fingers. Any other illness that causes sweating will not be limited only to that segment of the body. This is an important distinction. Other illnesses that can cause sweating, such as diabetes, cancer, and febrile situations will cause overall body sweating.
This very fine distinction is not always recognized by physicians who are not familiar with the topic. Physicians often look for other reasons for this very specific type of sweating, and a lot of time and money is wasted by missing the true cause.
A somewhat misunderstood presenting symptom in palmar hyperhidrosis, is the fact that sweating in palmar hyperhidrosis is limited from the wrist, to the fingers. Any other illness that causes sweating will not be limited only to that segment of the body. This is an important distinction. Other illnesses that can cause sweating, such as diabetes, cancer, and febrile situations will cause overall body sweating.
This very fine distinction is not always recognized by physicians who are not familiar with the topic. Physicians often look for other reasons for this very specific type of sweating, and a lot of time and money is wasted by missing the true cause.
The term “hypersympathetic activity” is more accurate terminology because excessive sweating is caused by heightened activity in the sympathetic chain. The sympathetic chain is part of the autonomic nervous system, which is located within the chest cavity. It has nothing to do with motoric or sensory functions, which are part of the voluntary nervous system. Those functions are controlled by us compared to the independent nature of the sympathetic system.
Today, sympathectomies are performed endoscopically. One or two small incisions are made on each side of the chest cavity through which a fiber optic camera and other instruments are inserted. The sympathetic chain is then resected, coagulated, or clamped. At present, Dr. Reisfeld only performs the clamping method.
The term “hypersympathetic activity” is more accurate terminology because excessive sweating is caused by heightened activity in the sympathetic chain. The sympathetic chain is part of the autonomic nervous system, which is located within the chest cavity. It has nothing to do with motoric or sensory functions, which are part of the voluntary nervous system. Those functions are controlled by us compared to the independent nature of the sympathetic system.
Today, sympathectomies are performed endoscopically. One or two small incisions are made on each side of the chest cavity through which a fiber optic camera and other instruments are inserted. The sympathetic chain is then resected, coagulated, or clamped. At present, Dr. Reisfeld only performs the clamping method.
Due to the fact that this is the preferred method done Dr. Reisfeld, he uses two small incisions on each side of the chest cavity. This method has the possibility of reversal as well. The success rate by all methods for the treatment of sweaty hands is about 98%. To learn more about the procedure in detail click here.
The term “hypersympathetic activity” is more accurate terminology because excessive sweating is caused by heightened activity in the sympathetic chain. The sympathetic chain is part of the autonomic nervous system, which is located within the chest cavity. It has nothing to do with motoric or sensory functions, which are part of the voluntary nervous system. Those functions are controlled by us compared to the independent nature of the sympathetic system.
Today, sympathectomies are performed endoscopically. One or two small incisions are made on each side of the chest cavity through which a fiber optic camera and other instruments are inserted. The sympathetic chain is then resected, coagulated, or clamped. At present, Dr. Reisfeld only performs the clamping method.
Due to the fact that this is the preferred method done Dr. Reisfeld, he uses two small incisions on each side of the chest cavity. This method has the possibility of reversal as well. The success rate by all methods for the treatment of sweaty hands is about 98%. To learn more about the procedure in detail click here.
Excessive hand sweating a serious problem, both in social settings, and everyday functional activities. These include but are not limited to: opening a door, writing on paper, driving, computer usage, or signing your name, intimacy with others. These are just a few examples of how palmar hyperhidrosis can severely affect a person.
You may ask what should I do? Those affected should first discuss the matter with their doctor, and then first try conservative hyperhidrosis treatment measures available. If those measures do not give satisfactory relief, then patients should consider hyperhidrosis surgical treatment.
As a matter of fact, after years of doing the Thoracic Sympathectomy procedure, it is now evident that the success rate for plantar hyperhidrosis (foot sweating) is about 30-38% with the ETS procedure.
As a matter of fact, after years of doing the Thoracic Sympathectomy procedure, it is now evident that the success rate for plantar hyperhidrosis (foot sweating) is about 30-38% with the ETS procedure.
For this reason, the lumbar sympathectomy has emerged as a excellent option for those patients who did not get sufficient relief from their plantar sweating after the thoracic sympathectomy, or for those whom their plantar sweating is their major problem. The success rate of lumbar sympathectomies for excessive foot sweating is about 97%.
As we gain more and more experience (cases), it is strongly recommended for patients that have excessive feet sweating as a major issue.
At present we do encounter some resistance from insurance companies about the investigational nature of the procedure, but slowly we are getting to the point that we can prove to them that it is not investigational anymore. Swaying insurance companies is a difficult task, but an active participation by the patient with his/her insurance company can help a lot.
99.2% Success Rate
ETS Procedure
The age range of patients for which Dr. Reisfeld performs the ETS procedure is between 10 years old and 66 years old. Dr. Reisfeld assesses each patient on a case-by-case basis. Generally speaking, at present the recommendation for younger patients is to wait until they have gained more physiological, physical, and mental maturation.
This means that potential patients should wait until the approximate age of 15 or greater. It is, however, recommended that Dr. Reisfeld be contacted for a more precise assessment. Please see our section on younger age hyperhidrosis.
Dr. Reisfeld consults and meets with every interested patient to determine if the procedure is right for him or her. Sometimes Dr. Reisfeld has to deny the procedure to patients even when they are desperate to have the operation due to physical factors (height and weight ratio), mental maturity and or severe cases of anxiety, etc. In other words he makes sure, to the best of his ability, that only patients who are really good candidates receive it. This is done in order to give the patient the best advice and outcome of this potential procedure.
The surgical solution to end hyperhidrosis is both highly effective and extremely safe. Dr.Reisfeld is the most experienced ETS doctor in the U.S. He takes great pride in what he does, and it shows time and time again. He performs this proven surgery practically on a daily basis to help those who suffer from hyperhidrosis take their lives back.
Dr. Reisfeld consults and meets with every interested patient to determine if the procedure is right for him or her. Sometimes Dr. Reisfeld has to deny the procedure to patients even when they are desperate to have the operation due to physical factors (height and weight ratio), mental maturity and or severe cases of anxiety, etc. In other words he makes sure, to the best of his ability, that only patients who are really good candidates receive it. This is done in order to give the patient the best advice and outcome of this potential procedure.
The surgical solution to end hyperhidrosis is both highly effective and extremely safe. Dr.Reisfeld is the most experienced ETS doctor in the U.S. He takes great pride in what he does, and it shows time and time again. He performs this proven surgery practically on a daily basis to help those who suffer from hyperhidrosis take their lives back.
Contact us and we can arrange for you to personally speak with Dr. Reisfeld and ask any specific questions you have.
Dr. Reisfeld consults and meets with every interested patient to determine if the procedure is right for him or her. Sometimes Dr. Reisfeld has to deny the procedure to patients even when they are desperate to have the operation due to physical factors (height and weight ratio), mental maturity and or severe cases of anxiety, etc. In other words he makes sure, to the best of his ability, that only patients who are really good candidates receive it. This is done in order to give the patient the best advice and outcome of this potential procedure.
The surgical solution to end hyperhidrosis is both highly effective and extremely safe. Dr.Reisfeld is the most experienced ETS doctor in the U.S. He takes great pride in what he does, and it shows time and time again. He performs this proven surgery practically on a daily basis to help those who suffer from hyperhidrosis take their lives back.
Contact us and we can arrange for you to personally speak with Dr. Reisfeld and ask any specific questions you have.
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“We are coming up on two years since my daughter had the ETS surgery for her hands. Best decision ever! I don’t think that she would’ve been able to make it through nursing school the last two years having to put on gloves with dripping, wet hands.”
Samantha
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