Palmar Hyperhidrosis

Palmar hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive sweating of the hands. This is a physiologic condition caused by an overactive sympathetic nervous system. It occurs in about 1% of the population and may be hereditary. Hyperhidrosis can be very embarrassing and debilitating.

However, excessive hand sweating occurs without such triggers. Those with palmar hyperhidrosis appear to have overactive sweat glands. The uncontrollable sweating can lead to significant discomfort, both physical and emotional.

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Excessive sweating of the hands, feet and armpits without any underlying cause is called Primary Hyperhidrosis. It affects 2-3 percent of the population, yet less than 40 percent of patients with this condition seek medical advice. In the majority of primary hyperhidrosis cases, no cause can be found. It seems to run in families.

If the sweating occurs as a result of another medical condition, it is called secondary hyperhidrosis. The sweating may be all over the body, or it may be in one area.