7 replies to this topic

[Mr Matsubayashi]

From puberty my hands and feet would sweat pretty easily. I could be sitting in a lecture theater slowly turning the page I was writing on transparent or freaking out some girl I was trying to dance with. I just sort of lived with it for a long time, but then I got a job, money and figured I'd do something about it.

There were three options I considered
Special antiperspirants for your hands
Cutting the nerve responsible for sweating in your hands
Iontophoresis

The antiperspirants worked marginally, but after 4 consistent days of use caused the skin on my hands to peel. The application of the antiperspirant and the requirement to leave it on overnight was also troublesome.

Surgons love the second option, and it does work for a lot of people but the risks while unlikely can be pretty debilitating. This was not an option. Furthermore this is a permanent move. There is a website set up to warn people about everything that can go wrong: http://www.no-ets.com/sideeffects.html

The third one has a large following on online forums, it seems to work. No one knows exactly why it works. The machine can be purchased for home use but it is a little costly. I paid $800 for the Hidrex Model. After 14 days of daily treatment my hands had reached a point of dryness I was happy with (really ducking dry), from this point on I just had to maintain the treatment (once every week for 15min). This small time commitment combined with the quality of the result and its non invasive nature has me convinced that this is the best treatment available today. The treatment can be a little uncomfortable at first (hell, you're getting zapped) but the sensation is manageable and the intensity quickly dies down during each treatment. It also makes for a fun party trick, electrocuting your friends! If you stop maintaining your treatment your sweating will come back as normal.

I'm sure that most iontophoresis machines on the market will work equally well. Do some research and make sure the machine you purchase has all the features you want.

Hi Five to my sweaty handed friends out there

[blueinfinity]

this has been something that always has been a struggle when not consuming/smoking cannabis (another benefit along with reduced anxiety and perceived improvement to social situations)

Being that i want to find a more productive and all around natural and healthy way to live. Im interested in hearing more about this subject as well, have not heard about the Iontophoresis machines until now. will do some research

[Mr Matsubayashi]

The machine passes direct current between two electrodes in isolated pools of water. Your hands, arms and torso complete the circuit. The current is limited to prevent any harm and the intensity can be set by the user. Good machines have the ability to pulse the DC (think square wave), which reduces the unpleasant sensation and prevents the small electric shock that can be felt when you withdraw your hands before the treatment sessions finishes. The Hidrex machine came with a 4 year warranty, at which point you send it back for refurbishment.

The treatments last as long as you want them to, the default is 15 min. The sensation starts of as unpleasant but quickly subsides (mind you I have the machine set to max). I usually have a TV series playing in the background as there is not much else you can do (unless you're zapping your feet, which is an option).

Some machines have the following treatment options:
Hands
Feet
Armpits
Face

I only do my hands as I believe sweating must help to an extent during sport and it has only been my hands that bother me.

The machine itself plugs into the wall and is portable enough to travel with. It might take some explaining to get it through customs though haha.

Edited by Mr Matsubayashi, 12 February 2013 - 08:51 AM.

[Mr Matsubayashi]

Pro Tips:

If you have any cuts on your hand cover them with a thick layer of Vaseline. If you don't it will sting like a mother.

Use hot water, turn off the air conditioning and think nervous thoughts (Joking on the last one). You want to activate your sweat glands during treatment.

Read your machines instructions. My machine will give me a little shock if I turn it off before the treatment has completed. These sorts of things are worth knowing!

Read your machines instructions. This could be a seriously bad move if you have a pacemaker.

[blueinfinity]

so aside from the electric shock machine,

are there any natural herbs.supplements that can correct the chemical imbalance that is causing the sweating in the first place instead of some physical/electrical shock?

[Mr Matsubayashi]

Haha, none that I could find, and I looked.

The electric shock machine is really not that bad, it can't hurt you and the sensation is only unpleasant for about 30 seconds. Treatments are only once per week.

I forgot one other treatment, Botox injections in the palm of your hands or next to the culprit nerve up in your armpit. It paralyses the nerve effectively but only lasts up to 6 months.

Edit: If you're hand sweating is caused by anxiety then there might be sups or drugs to help with that, but I'm no expert on that topic.

Edited by Mr Matsubayashi, 17 February 2013 - 01:48 AM.

[Mr Matsubayashi]

Another lesson learned!

Do not press your hands against the towel covered plates. The palms of your hands will become dry very quickly but your fingers and the sides of your fingers will not. give your hands a slight hover, or just gently rest them on the towels.

Theory: The machine limits the current flowing through you by adjusting the voltage. Pressing your palms hard against the contacts will create a good circuit but this circuit will only involve the palm of your hand for the most part. Because the circuit is good and current is high, the machine will reduce the voltage thereby reducing the current flowing through parts of your hand not hard pressed against the contact. You're better off letting your hand hover and having the voltage cranked up high. This will ensure an even dose on all surfaces on your hand.

Edited by Mr Matsubayashi, 26 February 2013 - 11:10 AM.

[Mr Matsubayashi]

More Pro Tips: Add a pinch of Bi-Carb Soda to the water.

I forgot to mention that choline inhibiting drugs are also an option but they can in the short term affect your brain as a side effect, wasn't an option.