Lifehacks Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for people looking to bypass life's everyday problems with simple tricks. It only takes a minute to sign up.
Sign up to join this community
I suffer excessive sweating in my hands, and that causes me embarrassing situations like, when I shake hands with others, being asked to fill a paper form (and return it soaking).
Of course, I can use a tissue (or handkerchief) to dry my hands, but that will keep it dry for just a few seconds.
Also wearing gloves is not suitable for many situations and will make me look weird.
Is there any other way to deal with these situations easily?
What you have is a form of hyperhidrosis. I have found that washing and drying hands on regular intervals with soap or other antibacterial liquids causes less sweat (I drink a lot of water and so I wash my hands thoroughly when I go to the washroom).
I have also noticed that when I get nervous (meeting new people, doing new tasks etc) the palm sweating increases. If you have the same case then try becoming more confident, it helps to a degree.
If all else fails, let the other person know. Say "sorry, I have got sweaty hands" and then let the other person decide whether to continue with the shaking ritual or not.
I can't promise either of these will work sufficiently, but you might try..
At least for shaking hands, don't be overly secretive about it. It is somewhat common here for men who leave the bathroom with their hands still wet from washing to say, "My hands are wet" with a quick laugh and offer their elbow or forearm instead. Or they quickly wipe their hand on their pants before extending it to you. People understand. And laughing will get you out of many awkward situations, not just with sweaty hands.
More generally: if it's not a big deal to you, it won't be a big deal to them.
