10 Healthy Ways to Dry and Balance Sweaty Hands

Sweaty Hands and Feet: What Causes Them and How to Get Rid of Sweaty Hands

Written by Montoya Sigafoose, founder of Home Remedy Shop · Medically reviewed by Veronique Claes d’Erckenteel, D.C., chiropractor since 1991 · Last reviewed: 27 October 2026

Sweat is a nervous system reaction, so the way to get rid of sweaty hands starts with calming your nervous system: meditating, reflecting, actively relaxing and taking care of yourself every day. Then get your levels of sodium, potassium, magnesium and iron tested: you lose all four in your sweat, so if you sweat a lot, check what’s low and top it up. For quick, everyday relief, use an antiperspirant deodorant for sweaty hands at night, natural astringents like sage tea and witch hazel, and a cornstarch powder during the day. If your hands and feet drip with sweat, tap water iontophoresis is a drug-free treatment you can do at home. Sweating that’s new, all over your body or at night needs a doctor’s check.

Sweaty hands and feet are much more common than most people think, and they can make handshakes, writing, using a phone or taking off your shoes embarrassing. About 1 in 20 people have hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating, and the palms and soles are among the most affected areas (Doolittle et al., 2016). In this guide you’ll find what causes sweaty hands, how to calm the nervous system that drives them, which minerals to get tested, the best deodorant for sweaty hands, natural remedies and whether you can stop sweaty hands permanently. For excessive sweating elsewhere, see our guide to excessive sweating, or browse all our natural home remedies.

Table of Contents

• What Causes Sweaty Hands?
• Sweat Is a Nervous System Reaction: Meditate and Relax
• Get Your Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium and Iron Tested
• Deodorant for Sweaty Hands
• Natural Home Remedies for Sweaty Hands
• Sweaty Hands and Feet
• How Can I Get Rid of Sweaty Hands? Tap Water Iontophoresis
• Sweaty Hands at Work, School and in Daily Life
• Sweaty Hands in Children and Teenagers
• How to Cure Sweaty Hands Permanently?
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Causes Sweaty Hands?

Your palms and soles are packed with sweat glands, more than almost anywhere else on your body. Unlike the sweat that cools you down, the sweat on your palms and soles is mainly controlled by emotions: it’s switched on by the sympathetic nervous system, the “fight or flight” part of your nervous system (Baker, 2019).

• Primary hyperhidrosis: the nerves that switch on the sweat glands are overactive. It usually starts in childhood or the teenage years, often runs in families, affects both hands (and often both feet), and stops during sleep (Maazi et al., 2025).
• Stress and emotions: nerves, excitement, anxiety and embarrassment all trigger palm sweat, and worrying about sweaty hands makes them sweat even more.
• Heat, caffeine, alcohol and spicy food.
• Secondary causes: an overactive thyroid, low blood sugar, menopause, pregnancy, infections and some medicines. These usually cause sweating in larger areas, or at night.

Many people with primary hyperhidrosis also struggle with anxiety or low mood, partly because of the sweating itself (Wang et al., 2026).

Sweat Is a Nervous System Reaction: Meditate and Relax

Sweat is a nervous system reaction. When your nervous system is in “alert” mode, your palms sweat; when it calms down, they sweat less. That’s why meditating, reflecting, actively relaxing and self-care are so effective: they train your nervous system to spend less time in fight or flight mode. Slow breathing techniques, for example, increase the calming (parasympathetic) side of the nervous system and reduce arousal and anxiety (Zaccaro et al., 2018).

Build these into your day:

• Breathe slowly: breathe in for 4 counts, out for 6 counts, for 5 minutes, twice a day and before stressful moments.
• Meditate: 10 minutes a day, sitting quietly with your attention on your breath; an app or guided meditation can help you start.
• Body scan: lying down, slowly bring your attention from your toes to your head, relaxing each part as you go.
• Progressive muscle relaxation: tense your hands into fists for 5 seconds, then let go completely; work through each muscle group.
• Reflect: write down what made you sweat today and how you felt; patterns become clear, and naming a worry takes some of its power away.
• Actively relax: plan something every day that calms you: a walk in nature, a bath, yoga, music, reading.
• Self-care: enough sleep, regular meals, time off screens and saying no to what drains you.
• Cool your wrists: run cold water over your wrists for 30 seconds before a meeting or handshake.

Give it a few weeks: like any training, your nervous system needs repetition to change its habits.

Get Your Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium and Iron Tested

Get your levels of sodium, potassium, magnesium and iron tested, so you can check what’s low. Sweat isn’t just water: in a classic study of men sweating in the heat, considerable amounts of sodium, potassium, magnesium and iron were lost every hour, and the researchers warned that these losses are often overlooked, especially with heavy sweating (Consolazio et al., 1963).

• Sodium: lost in the largest amounts. After heavy sweating, a pinch of salt in water with lemon helps; don’t add extra salt if you have high blood pressure.
• Potassium: bananas, avocado, potatoes, beans, leafy greens and coconut water.
• Magnesium: pumpkin seeds, almonds, dark chocolate, leafy greens and whole grains; magnesium also helps calm the nervous system.
• Iron: lentils, spinach, red meat, seafood; take vitamin C with plant sources. Only supplement iron if a blood test shows you’re low.

Ask your doctor for a blood test that includes these minerals (and ferritin for your iron stores), plus thyroid levels if you sweat a lot.

Free guide

Top up the minerals you sweat out

When you sweat a lot, you lose sodium, potassium, magnesium and iron with it. Our alkaline diet list is full of the mineral-rich whole foods that help you replace them every day: leafy greens, avocado, bananas, nuts, seeds and legumes.

• Magnesium and potassium-rich foods by food group
• Easy swaps for caffeine and processed food
• Simple meals for every day
• A gentle start, no strict rules

Get the alkaline diet list

Free guide on Home Remedy Shop.

Deodorant for Sweaty Hands

A normal deodorant only masks smell; what you need for sweaty hands is an antiperspirant, which plugs the sweat ducts for a while. A stronger antiperspirant made for hands and feet, with an aluminium-based ingredient, is the most common first step dermatologists recommend.

• Apply at night to clean, completely dry hands: your sweat glands are least active while you sleep, so it can work its way in.
• Wash it off in the morning. The effect lasts through the day.
• Every night at first, then 1 to 2 times a week once it’s working.
• If it stings or itches, use it less often and moisturise in the morning; don’t use it on broken skin.
• Prefer natural? Witch hazel, sage and a cornstarch powder (below) are gentle alternatives, though less strong.

Natural Home Remedies for Sweaty Hands

1. Sage tea

Sage is the classic herb against heavy sweating in natural medicine.

• Steep 1 teaspoon of dried sage (or a few fresh leaves) in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes.
• Drink 1 to 2 cups a day for a few weeks.
• Not in pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and not with epilepsy.

What the research says: Sage reduced hot flushes and night sweats in postmenopausal women in a recent trial (Moradi et al., 2023).

2. Black tea soak

The tannins in black tea tighten the skin and pores for a while.

• Steep 3 tea bags in a litre of hot water and let it cool.
• Soak your hands (or feet) for 20 minutes, a few times a week.

3. Witch hazel

A natural astringent that tightens the skin and leaves it feeling dry and fresh.

• Dab witch hazel on your palms with a cotton pad in the morning and before important moments.
• Let it dry completely.

4. Cornstarch and baking soda powder

A homemade powder that absorbs moisture and keeps your hands dry and grippy.

• Mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of baking soda.
• Dust a little on dry palms, or keep a small pot in your bag.

5. Apple cider vinegar wipe

Vinegar has an astringent effect and freshens sweaty skin.

• Wipe your palms with a cotton pad dipped in apple cider vinegar before bed.
• Rinse in the morning; skip it on broken skin.

6. Magnesium and potassium-rich foods

Heavy sweating drains minerals, and magnesium supports a calm nervous system.

• Leafy greens, avocado, bananas, pumpkin seeds, almonds, beans and lentils.
• Drink enough water, and add a pinch of salt and lemon after heavy sweating.

7. Less caffeine, alcohol and spicy food

These all stimulate the nervous system and can trigger sweating.

• Swap coffee for herbal tea, especially before stressful moments.
• Notice your personal triggers and keep a short diary.

8. Wash and dry, and carry a cotton handkerchief

Simple habits make sweaty hands much easier to live with.

• Wash your hands with lukewarm (not hot) water and dry them thoroughly.
• Carry a cotton handkerchief or a few dry wipes.
• Hold something cool, like a cold drink, before a handshake.

Sweaty Hands and Feet

Sweaty hands and feet often go together, because the same nerves control both. For your feet:

• Wear breathable shoes and moisture-wicking socks, and change your socks during the day.
• Use the cornstarch and baking soda powder in your socks and shoes.
• Soak your feet in black tea a few times a week.
• Use antiperspirant on the soles at night.
• Sweaty feet easily become smelly or develop athlete’s foot; see how to get rid of smelly feet and athlete’s foot.

How Can I Get Rid of Sweaty Hands? Tap Water Iontophoresis

If your hands and feet really drip, tap water iontophoresis is one of the best options, and it uses nothing but tap water. You place your hands or feet in shallow trays of water while a small device sends a mild electric current through the water for 20 to 30 minutes. It temporarily calms the sweat glands.

• Start with 3 to 4 sessions a week; once sweating is under control, 1 session every 1 to 2 weeks keeps it there.
• Home devices are available; ask a dermatologist to show you how to use one.
• Not for people with a pacemaker or metal implants, or in pregnancy.

In studies, tap water iontophoresis clearly reduced sweating of the hands and feet (Rahim et al., 2022; Gülmez et al., 2026).

Sweaty Hands at Work, School and in Daily Life

• Writing and exams: rest your hand on a cotton handkerchief or a sheet of paper, and keep a little cornstarch powder in your pencil case.
• Phones and keyboards: a matte phone case and a keyboard cover are easy to wipe; clean screens regularly.
• Handshakes: wipe your palm discreetly just before, hold something cool, and remember most people won’t notice as much as you think.
• Sport and the gym: chalk or grip gloves, and a small towel.
• Driving: a leather or textured steering wheel cover gives grip.
• Clothes: cotton, linen and other breathable fabrics keep you cooler overall.

Sweaty Hands in Children and Teenagers

Primary hyperhidrosis often starts in childhood or around puberty, and it can affect confidence at school. Start with the gentle steps: breathing exercises and relaxation made playful, a cotton handkerchief, breathable shoes and socks, and a powder for the hands. Use antiperspirants and iontophoresis only with advice from a doctor, and skip sage tea for children. Most of all, reassure them: it’s common, it’s not their fault, and it can be managed. See a doctor if a child starts sweating heavily all over, at night, or along with other symptoms.

How to Cure Sweaty Hands Permanently?

Honestly, there’s no natural way to stop sweaty hands permanently. Primary hyperhidrosis is how your nerves are wired, but you can calm it a lot and keep it under control for good with the habits on this page. The only permanent option is surgery that cuts the nerves to the sweat glands (sympathectomy), but many people then start sweating more on their back, chest or legs instead (compensatory sweating), sometimes even worse than before (Martínez-Hernández et al., 2025). Injections into the palms can stop sweating for several months, but they need repeating. For most people, the best long-term approach is a calm nervous system, balanced minerals, antiperspirant and iontophoresis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes sweaty hands?

Overactive nerves that switch on the sweat glands (primary hyperhidrosis), stress and emotions, heat, caffeine and alcohol. Sweating that’s new, all over or at night can have other causes, like an overactive thyroid.

How can I get rid of sweaty hands?

Calm your nervous system with meditation, breathing and relaxation, get your minerals tested, use an antiperspirant at night, and try natural remedies like sage tea and witch hazel. Tap water iontophoresis helps very sweaty hands.

What is the best deodorant for sweaty hands?

An antiperspirant, not a regular deodorant: a stronger aluminium-based antiperspirant for hands and feet, applied to dry hands at night and washed off in the morning.

Can you cure sweaty hands permanently?

Not naturally. Surgery is the only permanent option and often causes heavy sweating elsewhere. Most people control sweaty hands well with relaxation, antiperspirant and iontophoresis.

Why are my hands and feet always sweaty?

The sweat glands in your palms and soles are controlled by the same nervous system pathway, so primary hyperhidrosis and stress usually affect both.

Can anxiety cause sweaty hands?

Yes. Palm sweat is a nervous system reaction to stress and emotions, and worrying about sweaty hands can make them sweat more. Meditation and slow breathing help break the cycle.

Which minerals do you lose when you sweat?

Mainly sodium, and also potassium, magnesium and iron. If you sweat a lot, get these tested and top up what’s low through food.

How do I stop sweaty hands before a handshake?

Run cold water over your wrists, take 5 slow breaths, wipe your palms with a cotton handkerchief or a dab of witch hazel, and dust on a little cornstarch powder.

When should I see a doctor for sweaty hands?

If sweating started suddenly in adulthood, affects your whole body, happens at night, or comes with weight loss, fever or a racing heart.

Recommended

• Excessive Sweating: Natural Remedy Guide
• How to Get Rid of Smelly Feet
• Home Remedies for Calluses
• More natural home remedies

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montoya sigafoose

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