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I am an 18-year-old female. Ever since I was 11 years old, my palms and fingertips have sweated profusely. I have no illnesses and can think of no reason for this. Are there any treatments that could lessen the sweating? As you can imagine, this is extremely embarrassing and annoying.

There are several approaches to controlling excessive sweating. The low-tech approach is to soak hands in a concentrated tea solution. Boil five tea bags in a quart of water for five minutes, allow the solution to cool, then soak your hands in it for 20 minutes each night for a week. Repeat about once or twice a week after that. The tannic acid is astringent and helps reduce sweating.

A strong antiperspirant called aluminum chloride might also work. It is prescribed under the names Drysol and Xerac AC.

Another approach is a device called the Drionic. This pricey gizmo sends a weak electric current through the skin and can shut down sweating for several weeks at a time. You can find out more about this medically designed equipment at www.drionic.com, or you can call (800) 432-5362.

Physicians have also tested injections of botulinum toxin to control sweaty palms. Consult a doctor who is experienced in their use.

My husband has been taking niacin as a cholesterol inhibitor. His previous doctor prescribed a niacin formula that would not cause liver damage.

When he went to fill a new prescription, the pharmacist said he could save money taking over-the-counter niacin. When my husband asked his current doctor about it, the doctor didn't know the difference. Is all niacin the same?

So long as it is nicotinic acid, the main difference is between short-acting tablets and slow-release formulations. The slow-release pills don't cause a niacin "flush" but seem more likely to raise liver enzymes. Both are available in OTC and prescription forms.

As long as your husband is being monitored for liver function, as he should be, the cheaper OTC niacin should be fine.

Would you settle an argument? Several of us take garlic pills in conjunction with prescription medicine. We hope it will lower our cholesterol and our blood pressure.

One opinionated fellow says we might as well toss the pills out since only fresh garlic works. I hate garlic, but don't mind taking the pills.

My 82-year-old neighbor has lowered her blood pressure to 132/72 in three months with garlic pills. That fellow still insists that only fresh garlic is useful. Do we pitch the pills and gag on the garlic?

Fresh garlic may be more potent than some pills, but a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine (September 2000) reviewed placebo-controlled trials and concluded that garlic pills have a modest ability to lower cholesterol. The blood-pressure-lowering effect is also small but measurable.

Some time ago you had a column about home remedies for nail fungus. I have tried two prescription drugs, which were expensive and did not work. Any other approaches would be welcome.

Readers have reported that Vicks VapoRub can be helpful.

Apply Vicks twice daily and wait several months to see improvement. Vinegar-and-water soaks also can be helpful.

We are sending you our "Guide to Home Remedies," with greater detail about these and other nail treatments. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. R-1, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, N.C. 27717-2027.

Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 235 E. 45th St., New York, N.Y. 10017, or e-mail them via their Web site, www.peoplespharmacy.com.