WET HANDS
Dr David Khoo Sin Keat
Consultant Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon
Since 1920, surgical procedure remains the most effective and reliable approach towards treating wet hands
Sweating is a necessity for life, as is food and water.
In all humans, sweating is an automatic process. The amount of sweat put out depends upon physical and emotional stimulation. During physical activities or being in surroundings that increase our body temperature, the human body would sweat more in order to aid in the process of cooling. During times of fear, stress and anxiety, sweating is a part of the “fight or flight” process, all regulated by the Autonomic Nervous System.
In some people, natural perspiration is excessive, a condition
PALMAR HYPERHIDROSIS
Palmar hyperhidrosis is a physical condition with uncontrollable excessive hand sweating. It may cause severe psychological, social and/or professional disability. Problems such as difficulties handling paper, pens, buttons, tools, electronic equipment as well as the need to avoid handshakes force many people to seek treatment.
The characteristics of palmar hyperhidrosis include:
Endocrine conditions such as hyperthyroidism
Menopause
Obesity
Psychiatric disorders
Systemic malignant disease
TREATMENT OF PALMAR HYPERHIDROSIS
NON-SURGICAL TREATMENT
There are many non-surgical approaches to controlling excessive sweating in palmar hyperhidrosis. Many of these treatments may be effective for short periods of time or for people with mild cases of hyperhidrosis. All treatment plans should be based on individual needs and be done under medical supervision.
Medication
Sedatives and anticholinergics (medications that block the substances responsible for nervous system activity) are the common medications used. These medications however were not developed specifically to treat hyperhidrosis and carry many side effects.
Antiperspirant
Antiperspirants and deodorants are used on a daily basis to reduce underarm wetness and fight odour. In people with excessive sweating, special antiperspirants containing aluminium chloride hexahydrate are often the first therapeutic measure recommended. These topical medications are easy to apply but some people experience skin irritation and the results are inconsistent. Topical agents are most effective for those with mild hyperhidrosis.
Ionthophoresis
This treatment uses low-intensity current to disrupt the function of the sweat glands. The hands or feet are placed on a pad and low-intensity electric current is passed through the pad. This procedure is often time-consuming and must be repeated at regular intervals.
Botox
As used in treating wrinkles, Botox injections can be used to paralyse the sweat glands and the treatment is used especially to treat underarm hyperhidrosis. This procedure often needs to be repeated.
SURGICAL TREATMENT
As none of the non-surgical treatments can offer
The introduction of thoracoscopy (a surgical method whereby a rodlike instrument with viewing openings at the end) to perform sympathectomy in 1942 led to hundreds surgeries being performed in the 1940s but for unknown reasons, this method fell into oblivion and was not adopted on a larger scale until 1980s with the introduction of a camera-mounted thoracoscope and video assisted thoracoscopy.
