How To Combat Sweaty Hands And Feet Due To Anxiety

Sweaty hands and feet due to anxiety are a defensive response of the body. When the nervous system interprets a situation as a threat, blood flow increases and body temperature rises. The result is increased sweating in the hands, feet, and other parts of the body. The problem arises when this happens suddenly, without any justifiable cause, and in a disproportionate manner. Then we’re talking about hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating. Specifically, palmoplantar hyperhidrosis.

In these cases, excessive sweating in the extremities is triggered or aggravated by prolonged situations of stress or nervousness.

This anxiety-related sweating often significantly diminishes the quality of life of those who suffer from it, causing self-esteem issues, inability or difficulty in performing certain daily activities, and a negative impact on personal, social, and work relationships.

Having to shake hands when greeting, getting paper wet when writing, sharing objects with others, or taking off your shoes are situations that often cause embarrassment and a lot of discomfort.

In the case of sweaty feet due to anxiety, wounds and skin conditions such as blisters, chafing, and bad odor also tend to appear .

This type of hyperhidrosis usually first manifests in adolescents or young adults, with the implications this has at key stages in the development of personal identity, and can occur both day and night.

Sweaty hands and feet due to anxiety cause discomfort in everyday situations such as greeting, writing, or taking off shoes.

During rest, sweaty hands and feet can be accompanied by sleep disorders, which can worsen depression, anxiety, and emotional instability.

This is the case, for example, of hot flashes and insomnia during menopause, where excessive sweating often causes nighttime awakenings, difficulty in getting back to sleep, and a state of nervousness and/or low mood that makes it very difficult to break the anxiety-sweat cycle.

Night sweats are a common symptom of generalized anxiety disorder.

In this type of palmoplantar hyperhidrosis, people often experience social withdrawal and avoid specific situations such as meeting new people, going on dates, facing a job interview, or traveling on public transportation.

This is because these are circumstances in which one tends to be more nervous than normal and, therefore, sweating is greater.

This is how a fear of sweating in certain situations is created, which only makes the problem worse.

Due to the psychological component of this type of hyperhidrosis, it is also known as nervous or emotional sweating .

Those affected usually consult primarily for excessive sweating due to anxiety in their hands (palmar hyperhidrosis), because it is the area that causes the most discomfort.

However, it is most common for it to also affect the feet (palmoplantar hyperhidrosis) and other body regions such as the face and armpits.

Sweating due to anxiety can not only be very annoying, but it should also be considered a symptom of a mood disorder that can have other implications for a person’s health and quality of life. Therefore, it should not be minimized.

How to control anxiety and sweating

In the case of anxiety-related sweating, treatment primarily involves mitigating this emotional state of nervousness and hypervigilance.

At the same time, there are products and therapies that help control sweating , reduce it, and minimize its impact on the daily lives of those affected.

It should be noted that treating anxiety-related sweating on hands and feet can be complex, and it’s common to experience periods of recurrence and exacerbation, especially in situations of specific stress.

Even so, it’s important to always consult a specialist for an evaluation and a therapeutic plan.

This often involves the participation of various professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and dermatologists.

• Seek psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective form of psychotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder and, therefore, also for stress sweating. In the short term, it focuses on teaching specific skills to directly manage worries. It also helps combat the fear of sweating that those with hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet often experience, which leads them to avoid certain activities. Psychotherapy is also useful for learning not to pay too much attention to sweating when it appears. Otherwise, stress will increase sweating, and more sweating will increase stress, all of which will create a vicious cycle that is very difficult to break. 

• Start drug therapy. Anxiety-related sweating is one of the main physical symptoms of this disorder, and psychotropic drugs are often necessary to relieve it. If this is the case, antidepressants are the first-line drug treatments. Specifically, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Therefore, for excessive sweating of hands and feet due to anxiety, the use of escitalopram, duloxetine, venlafaxine, or paroxetine may be necessary. Benzodiazepines are only prescribed for specific times when excessive sweating and other symptoms are causing significant discomfort.

• Lead a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy—with a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fish—has been linked to lower anxiety. At the same time, physical exercise is a powerful tool for improving mood and reducing stress. Diet and exercise can be great allies in combating sweaty hands and feet due to anxiety. Alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine should also be avoided or limited, as all of these substances can worsen nervousness. 

• Maintain sleep. Improving rest should be a priority when trying to reduce anxiety. Beyond implementing good sleep hygiene guidelines, such as establishing a bedtime routine or maintaining regular bedtime and wake-up times, the environmental conditions of the bedroom are important. This is especially true when anxiety and night sweats are present. In this regard, it’s advisable to maintain a comfortable bedroom temperature (around 18°C), wear pajamas made of natural fabrics, and avoid overloading the bed with excess clothing. Otherwise, the heat will aggravate stress-related night sweats and hinder restful sleep. Maintaining sleep is a cornerstone of anxiety treatment and should always be addressed. If necessary, melatonin supplements can be used for insomnia.
• Learn relaxation techniques. Visualization, meditation, and yoga are relaxation techniques that can relieve anxiety. Mindful breathing is also very helpful when nervousness causes sweating, and it’s hard to shift your attention from the sweat. Another strategy is to go for a walk or do any activity that allows you to refocus your mind on other things. 
• Use topical antiperspirants. Applying antiperspirant products to treat sweaty hands and feet is very helpful in combating anxiety-related sweating. These often include aluminum salts (15-20% aluminum chloride hexahydrate), as they are the most effective astringents in the treatment of hyperhidrosis. Topical antiperspirants come in different formats. For anxiety-related sweaty hands and feet, sprays and wipes are especially easy and convenient to apply. If the excess sweat is primarily on the feet, there are powders that can be sprinkled between the toes and soles, and also on shoes. A good complement to these products is anti-perspirant insoles. These are usually made of breathable fabric and incorporate substances that absorb excessive sweating and odor (e.g., natural activated charcoal ), as well as antimicrobial agents that prevent the growth of odor-causing germs.
• Wear appropriate footwear. People who suffer from sweaty feet due to anxiety should preferably wear comfortable footwear made of natural materials such as leather or open-toed shoes (weather permitting). Footwear should also be allowed to air out for a while and allowed to dry completely before wearing it again.

Sometimes, all these measures for treating sweaty hands and feet due to anxiety may be insufficient.

If so, they can be supplemented with other procedures such as iontophoresis (which involves introducing ions of active substances through the skin by applying low-intensity direct current) and botulinum toxin, or Botox.  

Anticholinergic drugs inhibit sweat production and may be prescribed in specific cases. However, they often have significant side effects, such as dry mouth syndrome, eye problems, and bowel and bladder dysfunction.