failed biometrics...this sucks!!!

[Brit Abroad 166]

It's hard when you have sweaty palms and feeling anxious only adds to the problem.

If you run into this issue on your second appointment, you could always ask if they'd be prepared to do a set of ink prints that can be scanned. This is done for many foreign military spouses stationed abroad, so it's not beyond possibility, it just depends how willing your local office is to accommodate the request.

Best of luck to you, OP.

Edited December 9, 2011 by Brit Abroad

[Book Em Dano 2]

Sweaty fingers? The following has worked well for me in the past:

Wash hands with soap. Rinse very well in VERY COLD WATER. This inhibits the sweat glands. Consider bringing in a container of iced water to rinse off with or to dip your fingers into. Immediately after, use a small amount of isopropyl alchol and dry again with a non-lint producing cloth or similar. The key is to stop inhibit the sweat glands. AS COLD AS POSSIBLE, short of frostbite. :-)

As quickly as possible, have them scan your prints. I hope this helps.

Cheers

I got another appointment to re-do my fingerprints because the FBI rejected them because they weren't able to process or read it. The problem is because I have sweaty palms. Ive always had this problem. When I did my fingerprints the first time, the technician was having trouble and I told her that my hands were sweaty. She just said that hopefully the FBI wouldn't reject it. Well, they did I find it pointless to do another set of fingerprints because it will just be the same exact result. What should I do? I can't afford another delay

[Udella&Wiz 325]

There's a product the dermatologist can offer you called Drysol. My daughter uses it to help combat sweaty palms as well as feet.

Hand sanitizer works too since it's loaded with alcohol - use that right before perhaps.

[mrrb30 0]

I remember reading somewhere on the forums that moisturizer is a good method of plumping up the finger tips and can help with the bio scan. I'm doing to do it for the week leading up to my appointment in case it helps

[Lise+Michael 13]

Consult a skin doctor and ask for treatment. Sorry can't help anything because this is about the medical issue with your fingers Good luck.

The above suggestion may be worth looking into. There are medications out there that could help you with this problem. Good luck.

[bigdog 376]

Botox sounds interesting, take relaxing medicine clean your hands with sanitizer and alcohol, relax and do it. See a doctor. Good Luck. Manual regular finger prints is a good option if you can get them to do it. If they give you cards DPS will do it.

[Dave and Kinnari 31]

If your going the hand sanitizer route I suggest you get some hospital grade. It has higher amount of alcohol than the conventional hand sanitizers that are sold.

CVS sells this. Its in a opaque white bottle with purple and white lettering. It's around $8-9

Edited December 10, 2011 by Dave and Kinnari

[Samantha78 117]

You need to look into the Hyperhidrosis surgery. I work for a Thoracic surgeon who performs this. Of course you won't have time to do this .... You may want to contact a thoracic surgeon in your area to see if they can provide any other quick treatments to help you. That's such an inconvenient problem. And in this situation, causing you delays unfortunately.

[sergeman 0]

I got another appointment to re-do my fingerprints because the FBI rejected them because they weren't able to process or read it. The problem is because I have sweaty palms. Ive always had this problem. When I did my fingerprints the first time, the technician was having trouble and I told her that my hands were sweaty. She just said that hopefully the FBI wouldn't reject it. Well, they did I find it pointless to do another set of fingerprints because it will just be the same exact result. What should I do? I can't afford another delay

I have the same problem. Technician wiped my fingers off with an alcohol wipe.

In vino veritas.

[SvetlanaR 0]

Solution: CERTAIN DRI......its a strong antiperspirant that is used if one has hyperhidrosis aka too much sweating. You can apply it on your hands and let it dry. My friend used it and it has worked for her. You can get it at local CVS/Rite-Aid/Walgreens...maybe even Walmart. Give it a try and good luck!

P.S.Yes, I also heard that Botox may help but it is a little more expensive than a can of an antiperspirant so you may give this a try first before undergoing injections. ouch!

[patriciameas 0]

Solution: CERTAIN DRI......its a strong antiperspirant that is used if one has hyperhidrosis aka too much sweating. You can apply it on your hands and let it dry. My friend used it and it has worked for her. You can get it at local CVS/Rite-Aid/Walgreens...maybe even Walmart. Give it a try and good luck!

P.S.Yes, I also heard that Botox may help but it is a little more expensive than a can of an antiperspirant so you may give this a try first before undergoing injections. ouch!

thanks, but im not sure if applying antiperspirant or anything on my hand would be ideal...since they spray your hand with water or sanitizer before they start scanning fingerprints

[patriciameas 0]

THANK YOU for all the suggestions! I will try to do a walk-in biometrics since my appointment is not until the 23rd of this month, 2 days before Christmas! I'm not sure how strict the Santa Ana CA office is, but ill give it a shot. Hopefully they let me since its 2 days before Christmas and most people would be out of town. Ill make sure to ask about doing the old school ink finger prints and ask for other alternatives. Hopefully something good will come out of it.

[SvetlanaR 0]

Actually, CERTAIN DRI is an antiperspirant you put on your hands right before you go to bed. It'll "sink" in overnight and therefore, wasking your hands in the morning and thoroughout the day wont affect it. Look into it. I promise it works miracles!