What are the possible causes of severe hand and foot sweating in a 17-year-old?

Generally, excessive sweating of the hands and feet in a 17-year-old may be caused by factors such as qi and blood deficiency, spleen deficiency, damp-heat, anxiety disorder, or hyperthyroidism. Patients are advised to seek medical treatment according to their specific diagnosis. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Qi and Blood Deficiency

Improper diet or excessive blood loss may deplete qi and blood, leading to deficiency. When qi is deficient, it fails to secure the body's surface, resulting in symptoms such as excessive sweating of the hands and feet, poor appetite, sallow complexion, pale lips, dry skin, numbness in extremities, insomnia, and mental restlessness in adolescents. Under medical guidance, medications such as Ren Shen Gui Pi Wan, Shen Ling Bai Zhu Wan, or Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan may be used for treatment.

2. Spleen Deficiency

Spleen deficiency may result from long-term improper eating habits, overeating, frequent consumption of raw or cold foods, excessive fatigue, prolonged exposure to cold and damp environments, or internal retention of dampness that impairs spleen function. This leads to impaired water metabolism and dampness transformation, causing symptoms such as excessive hand and foot sweating, thick white tongue coating, mouth ulcers, pale complexion, spontaneous sweating, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, fatigue, and weakness. Treatment may include Chinese patent medicines such as Ren Shen Jian Pi Wan, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan, or Shen Ling Bai Zhu San under medical supervision.

3. Damp-Heat

Damp-heat may arise from improper diet—such as consuming excessive greasy or spicy foods—or chronic heavy alcohol consumption, external invasion of damp-heat pathogens, impaired spleen function, reduced stomach digestion, emotional instability, or high stress levels. Symptoms include excessive sweating of the hands and feet, decreased appetite, fatigue, reduced food intake, and general lethargy. Under medical guidance, traditional Chinese medicines such as Xiang Sha Ping Wei San or Qing Re Qu Shi Ke Li may be used.

4. Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorder is a common mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of tension, unease, or fear, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating of the hands and feet, palpitations, and dizziness. Patients are advised to maintain a positive mindset and ensure adequate rest.

5. Hyperthyroidism

The thyroid gland is an endocrine organ whose hormones regulate metabolic rate, body temperature, heart rate, and other physiological processes. Excessive production of thyroid hormones increases metabolism and heart rate, which can also lead to excessive sweating of the hands and feet. Medications such as methimazole tablets or propylthiouracil tablets may be prescribed under medical supervision.

Patients are advised to visit a hospital for proper diagnosis and pathological evaluation.