How to deal with extreme sweating on the padel court?

Essential or primary hyperhidrosis is defined as an exaggerated and disproportionate increase in sweating, mainly affecting the hands, feet, face and armpits. It is more common in women, white people, and usually runs in families. In this article, doctor Francisco García Ruiz explains how to deal with this problem while playing padel.

Beyond its repercussions on a social level, due to the discomfort when we shake hands or have damp patches on our clothes in the back and armpit areas, in sport, hyperhidrosis also involves complications. Sweating affects sports where a firm grip is needed, such as racket sports, golf, baseball, cycling, horse riding or many others.

Focusing on padel, it is vital that the grip on the handle is firm when executing strokes. Excessively wet hands can cause grip displacements, which will have a direct effect on our performance on the court. In some cases it can be annoying, but in others it can be very limiting.

How does hyperhidrosis occur and how do we treat it?

Hyperhidrosis is essentially an alteration of the sympathetic or nervous system. The system overreacts and sends an overstimulation to the sweat glands in the different locations of our body. There are different predisposing factors for its appearance.

To combat this excessive sweating, there are two ways of treatment. Surgery is a possibility, but is reserved for very extreme and limiting cases. Conservative treatment is the most common and has different options. It can include the use of medication, iontophoresis - the application of a weak electrical current to the skin - and even Botox treatments.

Products and recommendations for coping with excessive sweating

• adidas padel overgrips: overgrips are key to combat sweaty hands. The adidas padel overgrips have a high grip and a soft touch for maximum comfort. They are micro-perforated and generate an excellent feeling of grip. They have a high capacity to absorb sweat and water. It is essential to replace them from time to time to maintain their usefulness. The level of perspiration of each individual determines the lifespan of the overgrip.
• Wristbands: with these, not only will you prevent sweat from your arm from reaching your hand, but they also provide you with the assistance of a towel in the middle of the match for both hands and forehead. They last a long time, but it is important to buy new ones from time to time: they do not last forever and neither does their effectiveness.
• Anti-slip powders: these are applied to the hands. There are some on the market made from natural, non-chemical products that absorb a good part of the sweat without leaving stains or residues. They are activated by the heat and humidity of the hands and do not generate odour. They are easily found in pharmacies.
• Anti-sweat gels: these are usually dermatologically tested and do not contain allergens. They should have a non-greasy formula so that they do not stick or stain and do not dry out or smell. They can also be found in most pharmacies.
• Towel: very important for when you change ends. This way you can dry your hands as well as your grip.
• Let your hands rest on the floor of the court before you start: the sand on the court’s surface will help to insulate the sweat, although it can be an uncomfortable feeling at first.
• Strength exercises: there are practices that improve your grip and can give you an extra dose of confidence and improve your wrist. They are also useful for injury prevention.

In short, sweat can be an annoying companion on the padel court. Its presence and the amount we emit does not depend on us. But it is in our hands to apply measures to combat it, minimise it and even eradicate it. Now, thanks to the doctor Fran García Ruiz, you know how to do it. Find more content of this type and much more on the All For Padel blog.