My Life Circles Around Sweat
My name is Jessica, and I’ve had hyperhidrosis on my hands and feet ever since I can remember, probably about 7 years old.
It didn’t bother me too much, when kids my age noticed it they just called me “extra warm blooded” and went off like no big deal.
Then, I turned 11.
I started getting really bad sweating underneath my armpits. It was horrible. I remember my PE teacher in 6th grade also had really sweaty armpits and the class would make fun of her behind her back, and I’d join in, even though I was secretly feeling her pain.
People notice my hyperhidrosis even more nowadays. I always keep my arms down and slouch so that it doesn’t show on my shirt, but sometimes it would peek out anyway. Whenever I’d shake hands with anyone they’d give me a strange look.
I knew what they were thinking.
A couple of my friends somewhat teased me about it and I’d laugh along, yet they knew nothing of what I was going through. I have to deal with this everyday. Every single day of my life, and I think about it everyday.
As I type, my hands are sweating right now.
The more I think about it, the more I sweat. It’s horrible. When I read a book or do my homework, there will always be damp spots left on the book.
I’m a sophomore in high school now, and this is majorly impacting my social life.
I always have to find the right kind of dress with the right color and fabric for my dances so when I sweat it doesn’t show. I can’t wear grey, ever, and it’s my favorite color to wear. Whenever I wear flats, the insides of my shoes squeak from all the sweat.
It’s been almost 10 years of this suffering and I know it won’t end. I’m only 15 and I have big aspirations, yet I would rather jump off an 80 ft rock in Lake Powell than shake the hand of my future boss.
I really would.
-Jessica
Response from Chris
Wow, what a story! I feel so bad for you and I know what you’re going through. I know that it sucks.
Luckily, though, there are some things you can do to make it suck less!
You didn’t mention any treatments for excessive sweating and hyperhidrosis that you’d tried (you can visit that link to read about a lot of treatments if you haven’t already).
Have you seen the doctor about your sweating problem? It’s really important that you do, and will probably help you. Learn more here.
If you have gone to the doctor and the treatments they prescribed aren’t helping, there are STILL other things you can do.
For sweaty palms, one of the most effective, tried-and-true methods is simple…Carry a small handkerchief around in your pocket. When you have an important handshake, just wipe real quick before you shake.
I know that your hand will still be damp and clammy, but it won’t be soaking wet at least.
Drysol and other antiperspirants can work well for sweaty palms as well.
For underam sweating, I highly recommend sweat shields for some temporary relief. They’re affordable, discreet, and effective. Learn more here.
For you, Jessica, it sounds like one of the most uncomfortable things about this sweating issue happens right in your own mind.
It sounds almost as if you’re torturing yourself, which is not at all uncommon for hyperhidrosis patients.
Whether you’re sweating excessively or not, the primary determinant of whether you’re happy or sad in your life is your own mental attitude. I know that this may sound like hocus-pocus, or corny, or whatever, but you really can help yourself a lot by changing your mind.
Your mental thought patterns.
My brother and I found this to be so important (and you agree…”The more I think about it, the more I sweat. It’s horrible..”) that we made a whole section of this website devoted to mental techniques to fight sweating.
(That page talks specifically about armpit sweat, but it applies equally to sweaty palms and feet.)
Another thing that can be a big factor in sweating levels is what you’re eating, drinking, and otherwise ingesting into your body. We call the collection of these things “ingestibles” and they can make or break your hyperhidrosis in many cases.
Again, so important that we devoted a whole section of the website to it here.
Aside from that, Jessica, there are even more potential remedies for you. There is so much information on this site that can be useful to you that I highly encourage you to continue surfing.
I know it’s a lot of information.
For that reason, my brother and I put together a home-study course that shows you specifically…
What to eat (and what not to eat)
What to drink (and what not to drink)
Thoughts to think (and thoughts not to think)
How to think them (and how not to think them)
When to think them (and when not to think them)
Products to use
Combinations of products that have been effective
And basically an entire gameplan.
You can find that here.
Good luck to you, Jessica, and be sure to keep us up-to-date.
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