Sweaty hands

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This is not really camera equipment related but hopefully there's another person who have the same problem as I do. I just started taking pictures like a week ago and want to learn more about photography. Hopefully I'll be good at it someday. My sweaty hands gets in the way when I take pictures. The camera will become wet and it's even harder for me to load a film w/o wetting the film w/ my sweaty hands. Is there a nice looking gloves (enough to wear it anywhere and not looking funny or weird person) and it's not too hot to wear it during summer also. Or if there's a camera case that I can leave it on my camera while taking pictures to protect it from my sweaty hands (but still this doesn't solve my problem when loading films) or if not a powder to be apply to my hands to control the sweat. I'm using Nikon N70 w/ 35-80 lens if this will help if you recommend a camera case. ---Dominic

-- Dominic Lim (ryan2@mailcity.com), January 10, 2002

Answers

This common condition is known as "hyperhidrosis", and it is generally believed to be caused by a relative over-activity of the "sympathetic" division of the autonomic nervous system, which drives (among other things) the activity of sweat glands and blood capillaries of the face (facial blushing and sweating), the axilla (arm pits), palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. Those individuals with hyperhidrosis are often characterized by a tendency to be either consciously or unconsciously rather anxious and tense, which may lead to markedly and chronically increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system. While there is an invasive surgical procedure called "endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy" to treat severe hyperhidrosis, I wouldn't recommend this unless you're feeling really desperate.

I often wear cotton, athletic sweat-cuffs on both wrists to periodically dry my palms, and simply blowing on my hands (or waving them in the air) is often helpful. Relaxation techniques can also be fruitful. (I would avoid placing powders or anti-perspirants on your hands while handling cameras, lenses, film, filters, etc. In addition, these measures may cause rashes and skin irritation). Certain medications can occasionally be helpful, such as clonidine, Buspar, or a beta-blocker. However, these medications have side effects, and they're not a cure-all, so talk with your family doctor for more information and advice.

-- kurt heintzelman (heintzelman.1@osu.edu), January 12, 2002.


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