How to Stop Sweaty Hands While Gaming

Co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: December 16, 2022 References

It's a common enough problem—you've been focused on your game for a few hours, but your hands are distractingly sweaty. This can make it hard to hold your controller and it's probably affecting your gameplay. While there's no way to completely stop yourself from sweating, there are several quick solutions. Read our answers to some of the most common questions about sweaty hands while gaming.

1

How do I prevent my hands from sweating?

1
Rub grip-enhancer lotion on your hands to improve your grip. Squeeze a drop of the lotion onto your palms and rub them together for 15 seconds. Keep rubbing the product across your palms and fingers until they feel dry. The lotion can reduce sweating so it's easier to hold your controller.^{[1]
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- Look for a lotion that includes isopropyl alcohol, silica, glycerin, xanthan gum, and antiperspirant.
2
Coat your clean hands with cornstarch. Wash your hands with soapy water and dry them really well to remove dirt, grease, and bacteria. Shake cornstarch onto your palms and rub your hands together. Work the cornstarch between your fingers and get your hands completely coated. Then, wait about 15 minutes so the cornstarch can really dry out your hands. Take a dry cloth and wipe off the excess cornstarch before you start playing.^{[2]
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- You can use baby powder instead of cornstarch but look for talcum-free products since studies suggest talc contains asbestos which can cause cancer.^{[3]
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  American Cancer Society
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- You can also rub a piece of athletic chalk onto your palms to make it easier to grip your controller.

2

Can I put antiperspirant on my hands?

Yes—spray antiperspirant onto your palms before you game. The antiperspirant works when your skin begins to sweat. It gets pulled down into your sweat glands and blocks them. This sends a signal to your body to stop producing sweat.^{[4]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
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- If your hands feel irritated or you notice a burning sensation, stop using the antiperspirant and talk with your doctor.
- You may have heard that aluminum in antiperspirants causes cancer. However, the American Cancer Society notes that there's no clear link between aluminum and cancer.^{[5]
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  American Cancer Society
  Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
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- Carpe antiperspirant hand lotion is another great treatment option that you can try.

3

What do gamer gloves do?

They're made with moisture-wicking material to prevent sweaty hands. If you feel the surface of the gloves, you'll also notice they're covered with bumpy dots that help you grip the controller. Most of them also have finger grips along the pads of your fingertips so you can use the gloves with a variety of gaming platforms.^{[6]
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- You could also try gripping gloves that are sold for gymnastics or golf.
- Shop at game stores, athletic supply stores, or online to buy gamer gloves.

4

What can I do when my hands get sweaty?

1
Dry them on a clean cloth or napkin. You might find that you still sweat a little, even after trying preventative measures. For a quick fix, keep a hand towel near your gaming space so you can wipe your hands dry as soon as they feel sweaty.^{[7]
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- Try doing this every time you get to a loading screen. It can prevent your hands from getting so sweaty that the controller feels slippery when you hold it.
2
Take breaks to help you relax. It's no surprise that you sweat more when you're anxious or tense—things you probably feel constantly when you're gaming! Try to take frequent breaks. Even stepping away for a few minutes can clear your head and reduce stress. You might walk around the room or just get up and stretch.^{[8]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- Even pausing the game and taking several deep breaths may help to calm you.

5

Is there anything I can put on my controller?

Yes—get a silicone anti-slip cover for your controller. A lot of these have bumpy, textured surfaces so your hands have something to grip onto when you play. To put it on, just push the controller cover onto your controller and adjust it so the buttons and sticks aren't covered.^{[9]
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- Shop your local game store or online for these grippy covers.
- Many of these come with circular grippy covers for the controller's sticks. Pop them onto the sticks so your thumbs don't slide off of them if your hands get sweaty.

6

Do Botox injections help with sweaty hands?

You can get Botox injections to temporarily treat your hands. You'll need to get a medical exam and if your doctor diagnoses you with hyperhidrosis, they may recommend getting Botox injections. They'll numb your hands before injecting the Botox across each palm. The Botox blocks the nerves in your skin that cause sweating and the effects should last 6 to 12 months.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Talk with your doctor about the risks of this treatment—some people notice temporary muscle weakness.