Hyperhidrosis Support Group
Primary hyperhidrosis is the condition characterized by abnormally increased perspiration, in excess of that required for regulation of body temperature. Some patients afflicted with the condition experience a distinct reduction in the quality of life. Sufferers feel at a loss of control because perspiration takes place independent of temperature and emotional state.
I have written something about myself on another topic, but it seems not detailed enough, and after reading some other posts about how stressed some people are, i decided to write more detailed story about me and how i live with HH, yes rather comfortably now.
I have had HH on my hands, feet, and armpits since childhood. I lived in a tropical country where it is hot the whole time, and i used to sweat the whole day except at night time when i sleep and started sweating again the moment i woke up. I remember the footprints i left on the tile floor in the house.
As a child i didn't realize i was different because my dad has HH too and my grand father has it too. So i thought it was normal as the temperature is hot all day all year. And other kids were not bothered by my sweat. But as i grew older i started to notice that it is not normal to sweat the way i do. And some people started reacting negatively to it.
Handshakes seem to be the most obvious problem, and then the footprint i leave on the floor when visiting people's house, and the sweat mark i leave on my clothes are the 3 biggest problems which has big impact socially.
I have had HH on my hands, feet, and armpits since childhood. I lived in a tropical country where it is hot the whole time, and i used to sweat the whole day except at night time when i sleep and started sweating again the moment i woke up. I remember the footprints i left on the tile floor in the house.
As a child i didn't realize i was different because my dad has HH too and my grand father has it too. So i thought it was normal as the temperature is hot all day all year. And other kids were not bothered by my sweat. But as i grew older i started to notice that it is not normal to sweat the way i do. And some people started reacting negatively to it.
Handshakes seem to be the most obvious problem, and then the footprint i leave on the floor when visiting people's house, and the sweat mark i leave on my clothes are the 3 biggest problems which has big impact socially.
Then i learned another important thing, i could stop the sweating by having a hot shower and then keep hands and feet cool such as moving the hands in the air, put hands outside the window, turn on the fan, etc.
So now i can keep dry almost the whole day, and when i sweat i take a hot shower and get dry again, then try to keep dry as long as i can.
When i graduated, there was another HH problem i was facing. I couldn't wear sandals when applying for jobs, so i sweat during interviews and lost confidence. It was hard finding jobs, finally i got a job as housekeeper in a hotel, even though i have a degree, i had to put my pride aside and accepted the job cleaning hotel rooms.
It was hard at start but finally it wasn't too bad, and i even thought it was the suitable job for me as i work alone cleaning rooms, so no one care if i sweat on my hands or feet, except for the low wage that i received. But I didn't give up, and to cover for the low wage i asked the manager to give me extra working hours, and she was very happy and i could work as long as i like as the hotel is always short staffed. I couldn't do much social activities due to HH anyways, so i ended up working long hours and spent very little as we got free food from hotel.
After 2 years, i saved enough money to start my own business. And i became free from wearing shoes and uniforms. I can be dry again, and when i start sweating, i can go home for hot shower and come back
Find a way to stop the sweating. For me the easiest is a hot shower and cooling the hands and feet. Also works when i am at a relaxing and cool place like a nice hotel room, but have to remove shoes to cool feet and change the wet Tshirt with a dry one, reason is sweat or any kind of moisture can cause me to sweat
Once these 2 things are mastered, then choose your battlefield. Don't put yourself in situations that will cause you to sweat, like getting wet in the rain, hot places. This can be challenging especially at work where you don't have the control of what you can wear and when you can go home.
Most importantly don't give up and don't let HH control your life.
Keep cool and good luck