Sweating is the body’s natural way of regulating its temperature. Although sweating happens to everyone, nonstop sweaty hands can be challenging, especially in the garden. You might struggle to keep a firm grip on your gardening tools. Below are some tips for gardening with sweaty palms.
What Causes Sweaty Hands?
Before delving into the tips, it would be worth looking into the causes of sweaty hands. If you have hyperhidrosis that makes overactive sweat glands, you will experience excessive perspiration regardless of temperature or physical activity. You can find more information about hyperhidrosis on sweaty-palms.com.
In some cases, excessive sweating can be a sign of an underlying condition, such as:
- Overactive thyroid
- Infections
- Heart attack
- Low blood sugar
You might consider seeing a doctor if other symptoms like nausea or chills accompany sweating.
Gardening With Sweaty Palms
In some cases, sweaty palms don’t warrant a hospital visit. Nevertheless, they can be a problem in the garden. Here are a few tricks:
#1. Consider a Hand Antiperspirant
Whenever someone mentions an antiperspirant, your mind most likely goes to underarm sweating. However, the ingredients that control underarm sweating can also work on other body parts, such as hands. A regular antiperspirant can irritate and leave a film on your palms. That’s why using products designed specifically for hands would be better. You can find a hand lotion with antiperspirant ingredients like aluminum salt.
#2. Use a Grip Spray
Athletes commonly use grip sprays to help them with ball handling. These sprays contain hydrophobic ingredients that repel water. In most cases, the spray can suffice for a couple of hours. Therefore, you won’t need to reapply if you don’t spend much time in the garden.
#3. Wear Breathable Work Gloves
Gardening means coming into contact with dirt. It would help to wear gloves to ensure the soil does not find its way beneath your nails. Gloves also protect your palms from blisters. However, wearing regular work gloves can be uncomfortable with sweaty palms.
The best thing to do is to purchase a pair of breathable work gloves. They can help prevent excess sweating without compromising your grip on gardening tools.
#4. Get Botox on Your Palms
Botox is a widely recognized way of managing excessive sweating. In case you are wondering, botox works by reducing your nerves’ ability to send signals to the sweat glands. A medical professional can inject Botox into your palms to reduce sweating for about six months. Usually, treatment takes no longer than 30 minutes–the medical professional applies small doses in a grid pattern. They will apply ice before treatment to minimize discomfort. You can expect the excessive sweating to reduce significantly within 48 hours of treatment.
#5. Prescription Pharmaceuticals
Typically, there are no over-the-counter medications that you can take to manage sweaty palms. However, some prescription pharmaceuticals can help. A good example is a class of drugs known as anticholinergics, like atropine and dicyclomine. These drugs usually are used for gastrointestinal disorders, but they are known to cause ‘side effects’ like blocking the part of the nervous system responsible for sweat protection. However, these drugs are not suitable for people with glaucoma. It would be best to talk to a physician to see if this option is safe for you.
Read more: How To Freshen Up Yourself With The Best Deodorant.
#6. Don’t Worry About it–Literally!
Do you find yourself worrying that you are going to sweat while gardening? Worrying about it only makes the situation worse. When you trip your anxiety meter, your eccrine glands will go into overdrive, producing sweat on your hands and feet. That will worsen your grip on gardening tools.
#7. Regrip Old Gardening Tools
Some gardening tools come with grips, usually made of soft material for comfort. However, they can wear and tear with time. That’s why it’s essential to regrip your old gardening tools. If you are buying new ones, take your time to shop around for ones with a durable grip.
#8. Rub Talcum Powder
Talcum powder has tiny grains that absorb moisture and reduce friction. Therefore, consider carrying some with you the next time you go to the garden. The good thing about talcum powder is that it’s incredibly affordable. Besides, it can help prevent fungal infections. You can substitute talcum powder with baking soda if you don’t have talcum powder. The only downside of using talcum powder or baking soda is that you must reapply.
#9. Take Frequent Breaks
Using gardening tools creates a lot of friction and heat. That makes the sweating worse, hence problems with grip. It would help to take regular breaks. You can rinse your hands with plain water during the break and wipe them off with a soft cloth. That will give your body a chance to regulate the temperature.
#10. Diet and Detox
Did you know certain foods can increase your sweating while others can reduce it? If your palms sweat excessively, you might want to examine your diet. For instance, you can avoid processed food, alcohol, and caffeine. Consider incorporating things like whole grains and almonds into your diet.
Pick an Option That Works for You
All the best with the garden! Sweaty palms don’t have to come between you and your passion for gardening. As you have seen, there are several remedies to your situation. It’s up to you to decide which one feels more practical for you.
