Sweaty palms and soles or palmoplantar hyperhidrosis is part of a specific disease entity known as primary focal hyperhidrosis which includes, in addition to palmoplantar hyperhidrosis, axillary hyperhidrosis and hyperhidrosis of face and scalp (cranio-facial hyperhidrosis). The causes and negative effects of these primary focal hyperhidrosis are similar.
What is Palmoplantar Hyperhidrosis?
When excessive sweating occurs in both palms without any apparent cause and remains for more than six months, it is known as palmar hyperhidrosis. The same occurrence on the soles is known by the name plantar hyperhidrosis. As both occur simultaneously in individuals and the treatment modalities are almost similar, both are considered together as palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. Some call it sweaty hands and feet, but ‘sweaty palms and soles’ is more accurate as the sweating occurs only on the palmar and plantar (sole) sides. The sweating occurs on both sides and disappears during sleep. Sweaty palms and soles may be accompanied by sweaty armpits or axillary hyperhidrosis and sweating on the face and scalp.
What is the Cause of Sweaty Palms and Soles?
The exact cause of palmoplantar hyperhidrosis is not known. Experts believe that a familial tendency of the sweat glands to over react to stimulation by the autonomic nervous system is the main underlying cause for the sweaty palms and soles. Though stress may increase the sweating, palmoplantar hyperhidrosis is different from the emotional sweating of the forehead and clammy hands.
What are the Other Causes of Excessive Sweating?
Causes of excessive sweating or secondary hyperhidrosis may be classified into generalized, regional and focal.
- Generalized Hyperhidrosis: Can be caused by certain medications, drug abuse, heart problems, lung failure, fever, infections, cancers, endocrinal and metabolic disturbances as seen in thyroid over activity or diabetes, neurological diseases like Parkinsonism.
- Regional Hyperhidrosis: Any central or spinal diseases which damage the peripheral nerves may cause cessation of sweating at some areas of body with compensatory sweating at other sites. This is typically seen in stroke and peripheral neuropathies.
- Focal Hyperhidrosis: Frey’s syndrome (occurring after parotid gland surgery where patient gets sweating on one side of the face while eating or even on thinking about food), gustatory sweating (sweating after eating), social anxiety disorder, sweat gland tumors and some neurological disorder or tumors.
What are the Negative Effects of Sweaty Palms and Soles?
Sweaty palms and soles causes embarrassment in public and students find it very inconvenient while writing – difficulty in holding a pen, and wetting the papers and books. Persistent clamminess predisposes the palms and soles to fungal and bacterial infections. Tinea pedis and pitted keratolysis are common complications of plantar hyperhidrosis. The feet especially may become malodorous.
The choice on How to Treat Sweaty Palms and Soles will depend upon patient education, acceptability by the patient and effectiveness of various therapeutic modalities available at present.
Reference
J Hornberger et al. Recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of primary focal hyperhidrosis. J Am Acad Dermatol 2004; 51:274-86.
Disclaimer
The information given in this article is for educational purpose only so that patients are aware of the options available. No diagnosis should be made or treatment undertaken without first consulting your doctor. If you do so, the author or suite101 will not be responsible for any consequences. The images provided are for illustration purpose only.
Hanish Babu - Dr.Hanish Babu, MD is a dermatologist and a feature writer on Suite101.com with more than 200 articles related to skin diseases on the ...
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