Extreme Sweaty Hands and Finance?
I'm currently an undergrad and essentially have a disorder known as Palmer Hyperhydrosis which I have had pretty much my entire life, where my entire hand sweats very excessively to the point of dripping. This is not because of some anxiety or something—though nervous situations definitely worsen the sweating and if anything a cycle has been created where just thinking about my hands (especially during an interview) causes them to waterfall.
Now I have gone to dermatologists, doctors, etc. and have literally utilized every option besides surgery and conditions haven't changed much. I've learned to kind of just deal with it over the years and not care as it is something I truly can't control. Yet, I do have to be realistic and ask if my future interviews and honestly my career will be harmed by this?
Like many on here I want to pursue something in the realm of IB, capital markets, IM, S&T, etc. ,and not to get in too much detail am currently, on the track to be applying to SA programs and such soon. I don't feel too nervous about preparation, grades, interview prep, but rather am most nervous about the first thing someone I'm networking or interviewing with will feel during a handshake—a sweaty mess to the point where they think I am insanely nervous.
I know at first thought some may feel this is a non-issue or something, but with so many prepared candidates and competition, being a sweaty mess is not going to help my—especially in a role where client interaction is significant (obviously not as important at the junior level, but for my career goals it's quite important). Another important fact is it's not just handshakes, but doing something as simple as writing on paper or using a computer creates very large sweat puddles and marks. I can only shudder at the thought of an Analyst or someone teaching me on the PC and seeing the huge marks or having to even use my mouse.
At this point, I've worked so hard, but really don't see how to go about my future with this condition. I sometimes feel like just giving up on everything. I've gotten by at interviews (for small internships/jobs) by just wiping my hands in a napkin in my pocket and sheer luck of the interviewer maybe just not caring (again these were just small jobs too no where near the scale and structure as a BB/EB/MM process). At this point I'm leaning towards surgery though it is widely known the procedure can produce major compensatory sweating in other parts of the body and is extremely expensive for my family who is just getting by.
I really don't know how to proceed. Any help, guidance, or just thoughts would be very appreciated.
Thank you.
I have a similar condition and I know exactly how you feel. I've gone in interviews where I keep a paper towel in my jacket pocket so that I can wipe sweat right before shaking hands. I've discolored my pant legs because I've had to wipe my hands because of so much sweating. I've just learned to deal with it. The best thing that I do is wash my hand with cold water before interviews, and it seems to help a bit. And as far as the people helping you in the jobs, I just flat out tell them I've got sweaty palms or just tell them I am a bit of a germaphobe and give them a fist bump. Sounds weird but true, and if you are working with them, you will get to know them and this will eventually come up, you can tell them the truth, as I did, and they will just accept it. They'll be weirded out by it at first, but they will accept it. Your personality will overshadow the sweaty palms that you may use once in a while. Most of the people I've worked with know this and they don't mind at all. And if you want to take my suggestion, you don't have to but, don't get the surgery, not worth it in my opinion. Let your work and knowledge do the talking, and not the sweaty handshake.
A couple of things:
I can virtually guarantee that most people are not nearly as aware of your sweaty palms as you are. So please have some perspective about your problem, and just don’t focus on it.
Secondly, I would strongly advise you against surgery. It sounds like you have done your research, as have I, and it sounds like the compensatory sweating can be a major issue/problem,… And as you probably know, the surgery is in most cases irreversible. Instead, try this: An Iontophoresis machine. More specifically, the Hidrex DVP 1000. I know somebody who has the same problem, and this machine has been useful. Has it totally cured the problem? No, but it’s definitely improved the situation… Try this, as well as one of the palm deodorant sticks, and simply try not to worry about it. Again, I can almost guarantee you are much more aware of your sweaty palms than the people who shake your hand. Good luck.
I've actually already tried the Iontophoresis and it didn't seem to help me much. However, I've yet to use that Hidrex machine in particular and it looks a lot more powerful than the smaller cheap machine I already have. If our insurance can cover some of it, I'll definitely look into getting it. Really appreciate the comment and reassurance in general thanks.
Yeah, I know the machine is pricey – – almost $1000 – – and our insurance didn't cover it but we tried it anyway. And again, it’s not like the machine cured it after the first try; as you probably know, you have to try it for a few weeks and things might actually get worse for the first week. But if you stick it out for two or three weeks, most people see pretty positive results. After that, maybe just do it once a week or so. I think it also provides peace of mind, in that you know you’re taking control of the situation and doing something productive to remedy it.
And speaking about the post above? This is just a personal opinion, but I would not fist-bump an interviewer in your first meeting; it’s just strange and will get things off on the wrong/strange foot. And I’m a person who would prefer a fist pump, but it would just cause the interviewer to look at you askew right off bat. Suck it up, and go in for the shake.
Just tell the interviewer up front. It's a health problem and nobody is going to be dumb enough to blame you personally for it.
Interviews are also going on in the middle of the summer where theres a good chance anybody will be somewhat sweaty
oooooooo time to get some Michael Jackson gloves!!! You're medically cleared to wear them! Amazing.
![https://i.gifer.com/6Hf2.gif][https://i.gifer.com/6Hf2.gif]
Don't sweat it, I have a similar condition and have had no issues so far. Like another poster said above, we think about our sweaty palms more than the people actually shaking our hands would notice them.
pun intended?
![https://i.pinimg.com/originals/71/70/ac/7170aceb828fbf267ea9e9a285c4203…] [https://i.pinimg.com/originals/71/70/ac/7170aceb828fbf267ea9e9a285c4203… https://i.pinimg.com/originals/71/70/ac/7170aceb828fbf267ea9e9a285c4203…
I heard about botox treatments to prevent excessive sweating on the radio not too long ago. The treatments have to be done every ~6 months, but can completely stop sweating in most cases and can target a specific area. Something to look into...
I wouldn't worry too much OP. Reasonable people aren't going to hold something against you that you have no control over.
This could be your excuse to be that unique analyst that fistbumps instead of handshakes.
Go to a dermatologist and have them botox your hands dude.
Do you know if there's been actual success with this?
Some laser treatments exist now for this type of problem. Go see a specialized dermatologist. I also bought some special anti-sweating deodorants for the hands (I tend to sweat as well during interviews and did not want people to feel my wet hands when we shook hands). It works but can leave some white stains on your suit (like a normal deodorant /cream) if you touch your clothes afterwards...
Keep a handkerchief and wipe your hand before you go to shake somebody's hands
I have a similar condition and have dealt with it all my life. I use to fold paper and place underneath my palm to avoid puddles when Scantron testing. During interviews I would place a handkerchief in my pocket and cross my legs clasping on to my 100% cotton socks. I have tried some of the options above but results were unsuccessful. I believe the problem is caused from anxiety since this problem goes away when I am relaxed and not thinking about my hands. The only solution may be to train your mind to not care about the situation or outcome of the event (i.e. job interview). Go in with the attitude that the interview is a waist of your time. This may help alleviate the anxiety which is the cause of the problem. I know.........easier said than done......
I'll try doing this with everything that I do from now on.
Honestly I always have wet hands during interviews and need to wash my clothes which really smell the sweat and are wet after each single interview. I would not say that I have a problem though, it is normal when you are interviewing to be a bit anxious. I always wipe my hands discretely on my clothes before shaking hands, put a nice flagrance, deodorant everywhere and nobody notices it - even if they did they will not say "we do not want him because his/her hands were wet". It should not prevent you from succeeding...
Never hurts to just be honest. Can't speak on behalf of interviewers, but if someone shook my hand and it was sweaty it'd definitely be a lot less likely to judge them if they explained why.
Doesn't have to be awkward, just be transparent. Maybe think of a light joke or something to explain it's out of your control, or that you know how "annoying" it is.
Either way, sweaty hands shouldn't be a deal-breaker, but you can mitigate some judgment through explanation.
I've had a similar condition my entire life, although mine is more spread out my body. I've found recent success using the drug Avert. There are some side effects, like dry mouth, but i rarely sweat when i use it. I tend to only use it on days where i have a client meeting or something important to reduce the effect of my body getting used to the drug. Do some research on it and see if it's for you. It's also pretty cost effective. I buy mine from pharmacy.ca. let me know if you have any questions. this condition sucks and its pretty hard to talk to other people about it
Just be aware of the situation - if this is as you say a medical condition and not just nerves then it is completely out of your control. Focus on what you can control.
When you go in for handshakes at the beginning/end of interviews just be sure to subtly keep your palm against your pant leg or have your hand on the inside of your pocket.
When the interview is leaning toward the end, just be aware of it and put your right palm facing down on your pant leg to absorb the sweat.
This will help for the interviews - plus an interviewer isn't going to take that much notice of it honestly. Just focus on what you can control and even if they do notice it they would never say anything.
In a full time role, surgery may be an option. But i have read a bit that acupuncture is an alternative treatment for hyperhydrosis, but I'm sure you've checked it out.
Ultimately, you can't control it. Generally people will not be dicks... but let's be honest some will. Ultimately this will only make you stronger if you focus on making people notice the positive and not the slight negatives, such as sweating a bunch.
Hope this helps
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