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Hands and Feet are Too Sweaty: Hyperhidrosis That Ruined My Daily Life, It's Time to Solve it from the Root

"My hands and feet are too sweaty." Many people will deeply sympathize with this sentence. Especially when in social situations, building relationships, or ahead of important exams or presentations, experiencing sweaty palms or feet without realizing it goes beyond simple discomfort and leads to stress and a drop in confidence. It's hard to turn a page, you hesitate to shake hands, and you're reluctant to wear sandals—this excessive sweat is a hidden worry that ruins many people's daily lives more than expected. Do you think only you have this much sweat? Not at all. Hyperhidrosis is a common disease that about 4-5% of the global population suffers from, and it may not be a simple problem of constitution but a signal sent by an imbalance within the body.

💡 [Key Answer] The 3 most common causes of "sweat pouring from hands and feet": ① Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance (Especially sympathetic overactivity) ② Stress and Psychological Tension ③ Internal Imbalance (The state of 'Damp-heat' or 'Qi deficiency' in Korean medicine) Dalimchae Clinic focuses on regaining the balance of the autonomic nervous system to regulate excessive sweat secretion and improve the body's fundamental recovery power.

Yes, a state where sweat is produced excessively to the extent that it interferes with daily life is called 'hyperhidrosis.' Especially when sweat is concentrated on specific parts like hands, feet, and armpits, it is called 'local hyperhidrosis,' and among these, palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis, where sweat is excessive on hands and feet, is the most common. This hyperhidrosis occurs regardless of external temperature or physical activity and often appears in states of mental tension. Beyond just sweating a lot, it can lead to social avoidance or depression in severe cases, so it's important not to leave it as it is and to start proper treatment.

The most core cause of hyperhidrosis is deeply related to an imbalance in our body's 'autonomic nervous system.' The autonomic nervous system is a nervous system that regulates functions essential for life maintenance, such as heart rate, digestion, body temperature regulation, and sweat secretion, regardless of our will. This autonomic nervous system is divided into the sympathetic nerve, which acts as our body's 'accelerator,' and the parasympathetic nerve, which acts as a 'brake,' working in balance with each other.

In the case of hyperhidrosis patients, among these, the sympathetic nerve is excessively excited more than necessary, increasing the secretion of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that stimulates sweat glands, and causing them to sweat pathologically. Psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, and tension are the main culprits that further excite the sympathetic nerve and worsen sweat secretion. This overreaction of the autonomic nervous system can be seen as a signal that something is wrong with our body's internal regulatory system, rather than a problem with the skin itself.

In a study titled "Study on Herbal Medicine Treatment for Hyperhidrosis: Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis" published in The Journal of Korean Oriental Pediatrics in 2022, the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine treatment for hyperhidrosis patients were systematically reviewed. As a result of analyzing a total of 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), it was found that the effective rate of the herbal medicine alone treatment group was statistically significantly higher than that of the Western medicine alone treatment group, and the incidence of side effects was significantly lower (p<0.05). The researchers concluded that these results suggest that herbal medicine is an effective and safe treatment for hyperhidrosis. Based on these research results, Dalimchae Clinic approaches the fundamental cause of hyperhidrosis through herbal medicine prescriptions that restore the balance of the autonomic nervous system according to each individual's constitution and symptoms.

Excessive sweat secretion is a type of 'warning light' sent by the body's autonomic nervous system. At Dalimchae Clinic, instead of being busy turning off this warning light, we focus on correcting the autonomic nervous system imbalance, which is the fundamental cause of the warning light being turned on. This is one of the core treatment principles of Dalimchae Clinic, 'Autonomic Stabilization.'

When the balance of the autonomic nervous system is broken, our body maintains a state of tension all the time, like an overheated engine, without being able to rest. This tension not only appears as hyperhidrosis by excessively stimulating sweat glands but also interferes with the environment where the brain can rest, leading to various autonomic nervous system symptoms such as insomnia, dizziness, and chronic fatigue. Dalimchae Clinic Incheon Branch focuses on lowering the excessive heat of the nervous system and creating an environment where the brain can rest comfortably. In Korean medicine, this is explained as the harmony of 'Suseung-hwagang (水升火降)', which promotes the stability of the autonomic nervous system by raising cool energy and lowering hot energy to smooth systemic circulation.

By closely diagnosing the individual's body condition, we prescribe customized herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment that help calm the excitation of the sympathetic nerve and activate the parasympathetic nerve, helping our body regain the ability to regulate sweat secretion on its own. This aims beyond simply suppressing sweat to improve overall health and resistance to stress.

The effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment for hyperhidrosis is being steadily confirmed through actual clinical research.

In a study published in The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine in 2021, a case was reported where a patient with chronic hyperhidrosis, whose sympathetic overactivity (Sympathicotonia) was confirmed through iris diagnosis, was treated with herbal medicine. After applying herbal medicine treatment to a patient with chronic hyperhidrosis of over 30 years who had not improved with various previous treatments, the patient's sweat secretion symptoms showed a high improvement rate, decreasing significantly by 80%. The researchers concluded that these results suggest that accurately diagnosing the overactivity of the autonomic nervous system and providing appropriate herbal medicine treatment can be an effective treatment for patients with chronic hyperhidrosis. Dalimchae Clinic Incheon Branch closely diagnoses each patient's autonomic state and alleviates the discomfort caused by hyperhidrosis through Korean medicine treatment that stabilizes excessively excited sympathetic nerves and balances the body. This approach provides a fundamental solution that prevents recurrence as well as symptom relief.

Check how many of the following items apply to you.

• ◻ Excessive sweating in specific areas like hands, feet, and armpits without a special reason persists for more than 6 months.
• ◻ Sweat secretion tends to appear symmetrically on the left and right.
• ◻ Sweat is so excessive more than once a week that it interferes with daily life.
• ◻ I have experienced difficulties in interpersonal relationships or social life due to sweat.
• ◻ Someone in my family suffers from hyperhidrosis.
• ◻ Symptoms of increased sweat began before the age of 25.
• ◻ The quality of sleep deteriorates or I wake up from sleep due to sweat.

[Judgment Criteria]

• 2 or more items apply: Hyperhidrosis is suspected. There is a possibility of autonomic nervous system imbalance, so consider Dalimchae Clinic's complex Korean medicine treatment.
• 5 or more items apply: Discomfort due to hyperhidrosis can be significant. It is recommended to start precise diagnosis and treatment through an immediate visit. If you are looking for an Incheon hyperhidrosis clinic, consult at Dalimchae Clinic Incheon Branch.

Q. Can hyperhidrosis heal naturally? A. Hyperhidrosis is often difficult to improve naturally. Especially since primary hyperhidrosis is a problem of the autonomic nervous system, it's important to regulate sweat gland function and restore autonomic balance through active treatment.

Q. What if sweat is excessive in areas other than hands and feet? A. Hyperhidrosis can appear in various parts such as the head, face, armpits, and the whole body besides hands and feet. Since the causes and treatment approaches can vary depending on the area and pattern of sweating, it's good to receive customized treatment through accurate diagnosis.

Q. How long does Korean medicine hyperhidrosis treatment take? A. The duration of Korean medicine hyperhidrosis treatment varies depending on the patient's symptom severity, constitution, and cause. Generally, it's seen as about 1 to 3 months, but the period can be longer depending on the progress of symptoms. Consistent treatment and management are important.

Q. Is Korean medicine treatment possible for side effects after hyperhidrosis surgery (compensatory hyperhidrosis)? A. Yes, 'compensatory hyperhidrosis,' where excessive sweat occurs in other areas after hyperhidrosis surgery, can be sufficiently improved with Korean medicine treatment. In Korean medicine, this is seen as the body's attempt to find balance and discharge sweat to other parts as the body's energy and moisture circulation paths are blocked, and effects can be expected through treatment that restores the regulation system of the weakened 'Wei-qi (衛氣)'.

Are you worried because your hands and feet are too sweaty? Hyperhidrosis is not a problem solved by enduring. You no longer have to ignore the signals your body has been sending for a long time. If you approach in the right direction, the body responds faster than you think. Bring your symptoms exactly as they are. At Dalimchae Clinic Incheon Branch, we will find the cause together and help you regain a comfortable daily life.

Where life blooms. For herbal medicine, it's Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic. Check your symptoms similar to mine through the AI consultation on the Dalimchae Clinic website first!

This article is health information compiled by Dalimchae medical staff based on questions frequently received in the treatment room. Medical Supervision | Brain and Autonomic Nervous System Treatment Standards Dalimchae Clinic Incheon Branch Korean Medicine Doctor Min Jihong (Hyperhidrosis Column)