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Real Stories
If you suffer from excessive sweating, you should know that you’re not alone.
Nearly 3% of the population struggles with this devastating medical
condition. And while hyperhidrosis may not be a life threatening illness, it's
certainly life-altering, with overwhelming effects on social, professional,
and home life. Read what real people are saying about living with hyperhidrosis.
These are stories of hardship but also of triumph and hope. We hope you find comfort
and support from these stories and that you'll consider sharing your hyperhidrosis story with us, too.
E-mail your story to info@SweatHelp.org
(Please see important submission information at bottom of page.)
"In an instant," says Paul M., "I can go from having a good level of self-esteem to feeling extremely self-conscious, insecure, anxious, and depressed. Excessive sweating is something you never truly get used to. It's a constant frustration that can't be forgotten. I've never really talked to anyone besides my doctor about it, not even my family. Unless someone has dealt with it themselves, they can't really understand and that makes talking about it difficult."
At first, Paul, who’s from Leominster, MA, wasn’t sure that he wanted to share his story, not even with fellow hyperhidrosis sufferers through the International Hyperhidrosis Society. "Even though I deal with excessive sweating on a daily basis," he says, "there are times when I feel words don't provide an adequate description for how the problem makes me feel. But if people like me don't provide feedback, the medical community will never properly understand the condition."
Paul experiences excessive sweating of the palms, underarms, feet, lower back, and face but it’s the sweaty palms and underarms that bother him the most.
"Ever since junior high, hyperhidrosis has greatly impacted my social interactions," he says. "It can be extremely humiliating to see people’s reactions
or listen to their comments after they shake my hand. It’s been a big obstacle, particularly when I was dating in high school and college. A certain
amount of nervousness and perspiration is a part of dating but try holding someone’s hand when yours is drenched - it’s beyond embarrassing!
I would have been more confident and dated more if I didn’t sweat excessively. Fortunately, I’ve found someone who’s never made an issue of it." In fact, Paul is married with a baby on the way. But besides being a husband and a soon-to-be father, Paul is also a musician. "Excessive sweating is annoying when I’m playing the guitar and people often want to shake hands when the band finishes playing. It can be awkward extending my clammy hand to them."
To help control his hyperhidrosis, Paul uses topical products including Maxim and Certain Dri,
both non-prescription antiperspirants. "They’ve made a world of difference as far as my
underarms are concerned," he says. "I used to be able to sweat through two shirts and a suit
coat, but now, instead of sweat pooling up and dripping under my arms, I may just get some
moisture every once in a while." Still, says Paul, his problem hasn’t disappeared and
the antiperspirants don’t really work on his hands. "After viewing the Physician Finder
on the International Hyperhidrosis Society’s Web site," he says, "I’m seriously
considering contacting the doctors listed in my area. I would feel much more comfortable
talking to someone with experience dealing with hyperhidrosis. Talking to someone who doesn’t understand it, even a doctor, is an uphill battle."
"I found the International Hyperhidrosis Society mentioned on an online message board," says Paul, "and I really hope
the Society continues to grow as a resource for people to find comfort and empowerment. And to anyone out there who
suffers from excessive sweating, I say - gather as much information as you can and find the treatment that works best
for you. Hyperhidrosis can be a depressing condition, but the resources that are available today can make it a little more bearable. I wish everyone the best of luck in their efforts to deal with their individual situations."
Amanda is a 23-year-old, single, veterinarian student in Columbus, Ohio, who first found the International Hyperhidrosis Society by doing an Internet search. Amanda suffers from excessive sweating of the hands, feet, and underarms. Her palmar hyperhidrosis, in particular, makes her life difficult because, as a veterinarian, Amanda uses her hands a lot. "It’s embarrassing to have sweaty hands and it interferes with my job," she says.
When Amanda was about 11 years old, she started to sweat, a lot. "As a child, it didn’t really affect me much," says Amanda, "but when I was in high school I became self-conscious about it and tried to avoid social situations like school dances where people might notice."
Fortunately, Amanda’s dermatologist diagnosed her problem early, while she was still a teenager.
Unlike many other hyperhidrosis sufferers, Amanda didn’t have to see a series of physicians and
experience numerous misdiagnoses before finding help. Amanda’s dermatologist recommended a prescription
aluminum chloride solution and an over-the-counter deodorant/antiperspirant to help control the sweating on her hands, feet, and underarms. Over the years, Amanda has adjusted her treatment so that she uses the prescription solution mainly on her hands and in her underarms. "It works really well for my underarms," she says, "but it’s not as effective for my hands and feet." Someday, Amanda hopes to visit another physician with even more experience with hyperhidrosis and to perhaps try other treatments.
Amanda’s brother and father also suffer from hyperhidrosis but they don’t really talk about it much. "My brother and I mentioned hyperhidrosis to our mom once, but I don’t think she really took us seriously or realized how much it bothers us," says Amanda.
"The worst part," she adds, "is not having control over it, especially in important situations such as
in interviews or social situations and worrying what other people think. Hyperhidrosis makes me reluctant
to do things that would expose my condition - things like dancing, holding hands, and shaking hands.
I wish I could do these things without worrying about sweating. If it weren’t for my excessive sweating,
I’d probably be more outgoing in my personal relationships. Instead, I tend to be shy because
I don’t know what other people are going to think. But, I haven’t let hyperhidrosis stop me from pursuing my
dreams - I’m becoming a veterinarian just like I wanted."
Don’t let excessive sweating get in the way of your dreams either. Remember, help is available. Talk to your doctor about your hyperhidrosis
treatment options.
On Thursday, July 8, 2004, ABC television channels across the US broadcast the popular
morning news and talk show Good Morning America to millions of viewers. That, in itself, isn’t news - it
happens every weekday. But for Wendy Burke from Norfolk, Virginia, the July 8th episode of Good Morning America was very special.
Wendy has been suffering from the devastating effects of excessive sweating of the hands, feet, and underarms since elementary school.
And while she’s continued to pursue a career as a teacher, constant wetness has presented challenges and frustrations.
Good Morning America followed Wendy’s daily struggle with excessive sweating and her quest to achieve a dry handshake
before an important job interview for an assistant principal position. Viewers watched as Wendy received injections of
botulinum toxin type A (BOTOX) as well as iontophoresis treatments from an International Hyperhidrosis Society founding Board member,
David Pariser, MD. Wendy also appeared live in the Good Morning America studio to talk about her experiences.
"I never thought that my hyperhidrosis would get me on national TV," Wendy told the International Hyperhidrosis Society.
"The most I hoped for was a doctor who would say, "Hey there's actually a treatment for you and you can live a semi-normal life".
Today, Wendy’s underarms are completely dry thanks to her BOTOX injections and she and Dr. Pariser are using iontophoresis and BOTOX to
improve the symptoms of excessive sweating on her hands and feet. Already, one of her hands is, as Wendy says, "dewy" as opposed to "dripping".
"If I could send a message to people, and if I could do one thing by doing this segment," Wendy said of her Good Morning America appearance,
"it would be to inform the average person, like myself, that they might have the condition and not know what it is, and not to give up,
to be persistent, and to find a doctor who’s going to believe in them and to help them. And if I could give a word to doctors,
it would be to listen to the patients in front of them... there are people out there who need treatment to lead a semi-normal life."
Wendy Burke’s and Dr. Pariser’s appearance on Good Morning America has helped to increase awareness among patients, physicians,
and the general public that hyperhidrosis is a serious medical condition that can significantly impact daily life. Happily, the show also
left viewers with a hopeful message: Treatments such as Botox injections and
iontophoresis offer a promising future for people with hyperhidrosis.
Important Submission Information
Thank you in advance for writing to the International Hyperhidrosis Society.
Your comments, suggestions, and stories of experiences are appreciated. As you write to us,
please recognize that the International Hyperhidrosis Society reserves the right to edit
submissions, which may be published or otherwise used in any medium. Such use however, is
always in keeping with our privacy policy
and your privacy is important to us and respected. All
submissions become property of the International Hyperhidrosis Society.
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Find a doctor who treats excessive sweating. |
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