Need advice? It’s not easy being a teenager with a sweat problem but we can help.

Dear Frances,

I have hyperhidrosis but I don't want to go to the doctor because I'm embarrassed. My armpits sweat a lot. What can I do to stop this without going to the doctor/getting a prescription? Thanks for your help -Kelly

Dear Kelly,

My armpits used to sweat a lot, too. I could never wear cute tank tops or fun colors. I always wore bulky black clothes and jackets. I was nervous to talk to a doctor about my sweating, just like you are. I mean, the subject is so taboo and I didn't know what to think. But please, don't be afraid of doctors or of treatments. Think about it. It's a doctor's job to help you and trust me; they've seen and heard it all. They hear crazy stories from everybody - like about strange rashes, or questions about sex. Medical stuff is always very personal but what's the worst that could happen if you talk to your doctor about it? Hyperhidrosis is just another medical condition that needs treating. Try to think of it that way and be as comfortable talking about it as you can. It will be weird to talk about it, especially if, like me, you've been keeping it bottled up inside - maybe it would help if your Mom or Dad went to the doctor with you? My Mom's support really helped me through. She helped me explain to the doctor what was going on. Since this is an embarrassing subject, take some notes with you that will help the doctor to understand how much sweating is getting in the way of your life. One more thing, my Mom took me to a dermatologist - a special type of doctor who's trained to treat skin problems. Dermatologists tend to know the most about hyperhidrosis so I'd try to go see one if you can. And remember - what's the worst thing that could happen? Maybe you'll get a prescription for something that can help you. Wouldn't that be worth it? Good luck! -Frances

Dear Frances,

I am 15 years old. I sweat like crazy under my arms and on my feet but I can't figure out what to do. I've tried to tell my Mom but she just looks at me like I'm a lunatic. Aside from how disgusting my problem is, there is no way she could ever afford Botox shots. I just want to know if there's a way to, even temporarily, fix my problem. It puts a real damper on my life especially my social life. Thanks for listening! -Jaime

Dear Jaime,

Oh my gosh, I hear you! Lots of kids have trouble talking to their parents about serious stuff. I think the key to getting your Mom to take you seriously is to show her that you're really genuine and sincere. Talk to her one-on-one. Find a time and a place where there won't be any distractions and where you'll both feel comfortable talking openly. Tell her that you have a problem, that something's not right, that this is serious... I'm close to my Mom, but not really, really close and I still managed to get her attention and get her to help me. Show your Mom your emotions, tell her how you're feeling, and use specific examples like: "I was so embarrassed in ballet class. No one wanted to be my partner because my hands are so sweaty." Or, "Remember how I didn't want to go to the prom? It wasn't because I think dances are stupid - like I said - it was because I can't wear a dress without ruining it with sweat." If you're too embarrassed to tell your Mom this type of stuff, write it down. Make a list of specific times and places when sweat prevented you from doing something, having fun, or being successful. If that doesn't work, next time your sweaty hands smear your homework - show your Mom. Or the next time your armpits drench a t-shirt - show her. Another idea is to get help from another adult. Like a teacher you trust, or your coach, guidance counselor, pastor at church, aunt, older brother - whoever you think can sit down with you and your Mom and have a real conversation about what's going on. It's not going to be easy. For the longest time, I didn't say anything to my parents about my problem. I thought I wasn't wearing the right deodorant. I tried to forget about it. I tried to ignore it and when I did say something; my Mom told me I wasn't washing correctly. It took me getting really frustrated and crying for her to say "Something's not right here." Hyperhidrosis can be really stressful and isolating. It makes you extremely insecure about everything and makes you want to go to your room and stay there. But that's hard for people to understand. It may help to show your Mom this Web site so she can learn that hyperhidrosis is a common medical problem and that doctors can treat it. Keep asking for help until you get it. You said you didn't think that your family could afford treatments for you. Since you don't know that for sure, don't let that discourage you. Give your parents and your doctor a chance to try to figure something out. Who knows, maybe your insurance will cover some treatments. Teens also have another great option now - the people that make some treatments are running some studies about how they work for us. You could maybe get treatments for free! You, your doctor, and your parents should check out the information about Clinical Trials on this site. -Frances

Dear Frances,

I'm 14 years old. I would like to know if I have hyperhidrosis. I was playing volleyball and my hands were getting sweaty. It wasn't because it was hot, my hands just got sweaty and I blush a little bit, too, and I also have a girlfriend and every time I hold her hand my hand gets sweaty and I don't want to hold her hand with sweaty palms. I get nervous and my hands get sweaty not only with my girlfriend but when I'm at home, too. What gives? -Austin

Dear Austin,

This is gonna sound corny, but it's true: the only way to really know if you have hyperhidrosis is to talk to a doctor about it. A special skin doctor, called a dermatologist would probably be the best type of doctor to see. Of course everybody sweats. It's normal to sweat when you're stressed out or in a new nerve-wracking situation. I think of regular sweating as happening when I get nervous. You know... you might get a little moist or a little hot. But with my hyperhidrosis, my hands dripped with water. I'd get so wet from sweat that I'd get cold from all the water. I'd be drenched and freezing. Hyperhidrosis also affected my emotions differently than regular sweating. It really interfered with my life and made me sad and ashamed. Hyperhidrosis made me so anxious and worried that I wouldn't do things because I was so embarrassed. Like if you didn't want to date your girlfriend - or anyone - anymore because you were so embarrassed by your sweaty hands, or if you didn't go out except to go to school because of it... that would sound like excessive sweating. I had a lot of rough times before I got treatment for hyperhidrosis. But I tried to stay as positive as I could. Try to see a doctor and talk about your concerns about sweating. Then you'll know if what you're going through is normal or not. Good luck. -Frances

Dear Frances,

I have to hide my hands from the other kids at school so they won't notice how sweaty they always are. And whenever someone has noticed, I've been so embarrassed that I wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out. I always have to wear thick socks to absorb the sweat from my feet and I can't take my shoes off at friends' houses. It's hard to have a normal life. Please help. -Isabella

Dear Isabella,

The best advice I ever got about stuff like this was that if someone else is bothered by your sweating, then they probably aren't worth being friends with or dating. Try not to be afraid of what other people are thinking about you. I know it's hard but stay positive and as confident as you can. It's an attitude thing. Hyperhidrosis is a medical problem like millions of other medical problems. Could you try explaining this to your friends? If they are really your friends they'll accept that sweating is part of who you are. Try to get treatment too, but even with treatment you'll still have to live with some extra sweating sometimes and if you can learn to live with that and still hold your head high, and have fun, and do the stuff you want to do, you'll be happier and stronger for it. Don't let sweating stop you from having goals and dreams and reaching for them. Give 100%, live life, and don't stop being who you are. Of course that's easy for me to say now. Don't get me wrong, I had dark, lonely times because of my hyperhidrosis. Treatment made all the difference so I really encourage you, and everybody, to see a doctor and find help. There are other types of help, too. This may be a touchy thing, but a mental health doctor (like a psychologist) can help you learn to cope with the hardships of excessive sweating, too. Or a guidance counselor. It's good to talk about how excessive sweating makes you feel and not keep it all bottled up inside. Good luck and remember, stay positive! -Frances