Home Remedies for Sweaty Palms and Feet

Are you afraid of shaking someone’s hand because your palms are sweaty? Are you embarrassed by your smelly feet due to excess sweat?

Well, you are not alone. Many people suffer from sweaty palms and feet.

Excessive sweating occurs when you sweat more than you might expect due to the surrounding temperature or your activity level or stress.

In medical terms, excessive sweating is known as hyperhidrosis. The condition can affect any part of the body, but the most common areas are the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, underarms, and face. The condition is often linked to a genetic predisposition as most patients have a sibling or parent also suffering from the same condition.

The underlying cause of extreme sweating is overactivity of the nerves that trigger the sweat glands.

This can be triggered by certain medications, menopausal hot flashes, obesity, substance abuse, low blood sugar, an overactive thyroid, a heart attack or an infectious disease like malaria or tuberculosis. Even nutritional deficiencies as well as an unhealthy diet and unhygienic lifestyle can contribute to excessive sweating.

Hyperhidrosis can be uncomfortable, as it often disrupts typical daily activities and causes anxiety or embarrassment. However, several simple home treatment options can provide some relief.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for sweaty palms and feet.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

One of the most effective home remedies to deal with sweaty palms and feet is apple cider vinegar.

It has natural astringent properties that help control excessive sweating by keeping the pores tight. Also, when taken internally, apple cider vinegar helps balance the body’s pH level.

Plus, apple cider vinegar boosts your body’s metabolism to fight obesity, one of the reasons behind hyperhidrosis.

• Rinse the area that sweats the most with lukewarm water. Then, use a cotton ball to apply some raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar on the area. Leave it on overnight. The next morning, take a bath or shower and then apply some baby powder. In case you have sensitive skin then mix dilute the apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of water and then apply.
• Alternatively, make a solution by mixing equal parts of apple cider vinegar and rosewater. Apply it on the affected area 2 or 3 times a day.
• Also, you can add 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and a little honey to a glass of lukewarm water and drink it twice daily.

2. Cornstarch

Another home remedy to deal with hyperhidrosis is cornstarch. It works as a natural antiperspirant, which helps absorb moisture and neutralize any unpleasant odor.

Plus, as cornstarch is easy enough to carry around with you, it is also a convenient option for people who travel a lot.

1. Mix equal amounts of cornstarch and baking soda and store it in an old talcum powder bottle.
2. Remove excess sweat from the areas where you perspire most profusely with some tissue or paper towel.
3. Dust some of this mixture onto the areas.
4. Use this simple remedy as needed.

3. Lemon Juice

Lemon is another simple and readily available home remedy for treating sweaty hands as well as feet. It works as a natural deodorant.

Plus, lemon helps eliminate bacteria and keeps you smelling nice and fresh.

• Squeeze the juice out of a fresh lemon into 1 teaspoon of baking soda and mix it up into a smooth paste. Apply it on the areas where you sweat most profusely. Wait 10 minutes, then rinse off the paste. Repeat once daily.
• Alternatively, add the juice of 1 lemon to a cup of water. Soak a washcloth in it and rub it all over your body. Leave it on for 20 minutes, then take a bath or shower. Do this once daily.
• Another option is to sprinkle some salt on a piece of lemon and gently rub it on the affected area until the area becomes dry. This remedy slows down the activity of the sweat glands.

Note: Do not go out in the sun immediately after using lemon juice, as it temporarily causes your skin to become more sensitive to ultraviolet light.

4. Witch Hazel

The astringent and antiperspirant properties in witch hazel help control excessive sweating.

The tannic acid in it closes the pores, which inhibits excess sweating. It can be safely applied to all areas of the body prone to excessive sweating.

• Soak a cotton ball in witch hazel liquid extract and rub it gently on the areas where sweating is excessive. Do this 2 or 3 times daily, or as needed.
• Alternatively, mix 1 tablespoon of witch hazel bark powder with a little water to form a paste. Apply the paste on the affected areas and allow it to sit for 1 hour. Rinse off the paste using cold water. Repeat this treatment daily for 1 to 2 weeks.

Note: Do not use witch hazel remedies for more than a couple of weeks, as it may cause over-dryness.

5. Tomatoes

The cooling and astringent properties of tomatoes can also help control the problem of sweaty hands and palms.

Being a natural astringent, tomatoes help shrink pores and block the ducts that secrete sweat. Even drinking tomato juice can help lower the body temperature, which in turn will reduce sweating.

• Simply cut a good-sized slice of tomato and rub it over the areas of your body where you are experiencing excessive sweating.
• Alternatively, apply freshly extracted tomato juice on the sweaty parts of your body and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water. Do it once daily.
• Also, you can drink 1 cup of fresh tomato juice daily for a week, and slowly reduce the dosage to 1 cup every other day for another week.

6. Activated Charcoal

You can also try activated charcoal to deal with the problem of sweaty hands and feet. Activated charcoal can absorb moisture from the body, thus preventing excessive sweating.

Simply consume 1 teaspoon of activated charcoal with a glass of warm water in the morning on an empty stomach.

If you experience pain and vomiting after taking activated charcoal on an empty stomach, have it after eating your dinner.

Note: Do not use activated charcoal if you suffer from intestinal problems. Also, keep it away from children and pets.

7. Black Tea

The ordinary black tea that you often drink in the morning is also an effective remedy for hyperhidrosis.

Black tea is rich in tannins that have astringent qualities. This means it can effectively block the pores and prevent excess sweat from seeping out.

Additionally, tannins help keep the body temperature cool, thus reducing the chance of excessive sweating.

• Hold moist tea bags in your palms for 5 minutes. Do this 2 or 3 times a day.
• Alternatively, make a large bowl of weak black tea using used tea bags. Allow it to cool, then soak your hands or feet for 30 minutes, twice daily.
• Also, do not forget to drink 2 to 3 cups of black tea every day.

8. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is another effective remedy for hyperhidrosis. It aids in controlling excessive sweating due to its natural astringent property.

Plus, its antifungal properties can reduce the risk of fungal infections caused by too much moisture.

1. Add 4 or 5 drops of tea tree oil to a bowl of lukewarm water.
2. Dip a cotton ball in this solution and rub it onto the affected areas of your body.
3. Repeat 2 or 3 times a day.

Note: Before applying tea tree oil on your skin, always do a spot test on a small patch of skin. This is important as some people may be sensitive to this essential oil.

9. Sage

Another natural remedy that has strong astringent properties is sage. In fact, it is an age-old remedy for treating sweaty hands. It helps dry up the excess oils and prevents excessive sweating.

Plus, sage tea is rich in vitamin B and magnesium, which help reduce overactivity in the sweat glands.

• Put 2 or 3 sage tea bags in a large bowl of water. Cover and allow it to steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Soak your sweaty hands in this water for 20 to 30 minutes, 1 or 2 times daily. Similarly, you can soak your sweaty feet in sage-infused water.
• In addition, drink a cup of warm sage tea on an empty stomach every morning for maximum benefits. To make the tea, add 1 tablespoon of fresh or dried sage leaves to a cup of hot water and let it steep for 5 minutes. Strain it, then add lemon juice and honey for taste.
• Also, include this herb in your daily cooking whenever possible.

Note: Drinking too much sage tea may cause a headache.

10. Eat Magnesium-Rich Foods

One of the causes of sweaty palms and feet can be a deficiency of magnesium in the body. Magnesium helps control sweat gland activity to prevent excessive sweating. It also neutralizes odor-producing chemicals.

Hence, to control sweating, first get your magnesium level checked by a doctor. If you have low magnesium, eat more foods rich in magnesium.

Some magnesium-rich foods are almonds, avocados, bananas, beans, pumpkin seeds, blackstrap molasses, tofu, soy milk, cashews, pecans, walnuts, potatoes with skin, yogurt, whole grains and green leafy vegetables.

You can opt to take magnesium citrate supplements (400 mg). However, consult your doctor before taking any supplements.

Additional Tips

• Soaking your hands and feet in cold water for 30 to 45 minutes can provide relief from excessive sweating for several hours.
• Frequent application of talcum powder on the hands and feet can help reduce excess sweat.
• Take a regular bath or shower to get rid of bacteria. Remember to scrub and clean your feet, rather than just splashing water on them.
• Use over-the-counter antiperspirants on the affected areas.
• Make sure to dry your feet thoroughly after bathing, especially between the toes.
• Wear shoes and socks made from natural materials.
• From time to time, allow your feet to breathe by removing your shoes and socks.
• Change your socks daily.
• Carry paper towels so you can wipe off your hands when you need to.
• Avoid getting too hot in the first place, if possible.
• Drink enough water throughout the day to stay cool and hydrated.
• Don’t use items that cause more sweating to occur, such as gloves, mittens and other items that cover your hands.
• Avoid petroleum-based lotions and skin products.
• Stay calm and relaxed, as excessive perspiration is often triggered by anxiety and stress.
• Spicy foods are known to trigger excessive sweating, so stay away from such foods.

Resources:

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/UCLA-Study-Finds-Evidence-That-3056