Profuse Sweating
Dry me a river: They are fighting a battle against profuse sweating
By Zakir Hussain NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE
May 10, 2005
Each time Sophia Parente held the hand of her 5-year-old son, Vincent, he pulled away and said, “Ew, it’s gross, Mummy.”
“He’d wipe his little hands off while crossing the road,” Parente said.
At social events, she would have “that sinking inside feeling” when people wiped their hands after shaking hers. When she could, she would hold a glass of cold water so she had an excuse for why her hands were wet.
Then in March, Parente, 30, a middle-school teacher in Virginia Beach, Va., began receiving Botox injections in her palms. Now, they no longer drip. And Vincent doesn’t let go.
Parente is one of nearly 8 million Americans who perspire profusely. Theirs is an obscure medical condition, hyperhidrosis, which is getting more attention thanks to a group of doctors who in 2003 formed the International Hyperhidrosis Society, a nonprofit organization in Philadelphia.
The society recently launched a “Know Sweat” awareness campaign to help sufferers realize that they are not alone. Its Web site, www.sweathelp.org, explains treatment options and provides a database of over 500 physicians throughout the United States, Canada and the world.
“This is the message that we’re trying to get out,” said Dr. David Pariser, president of the society, who has a practice in Norfolk, Va. “To tell people it is not normal to sweat all the time.”
A recent survey sponsored by the society found that 88 percent of those diagnosed with hyperhidrosis had endured negative social reactions from others like disgust or mockery. One recent survey showed that 12 percent of Americans said they perspired a lot all the time. Of these, 83 percent had not seen a doctor about their condition, mainly because they didn’t think they had a problem or because they didn’t think anything could be done about it.
“When they have a problem that interferes with their life, that’s sweating too much,” said Dr. Flor Mayoral, a dermatologist in Miami. “People will say ‘no’ to a social event, they would isolate themselves, they may not go to church or, when they go, they don’t shake people’s hands.”
Hyperhidrosis results from overactive sweat glands and is not related to weight, ethnicity or climate, said Dr. Heidi Waldorf, director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. It usually affects the underarms, palms, face and soles of the feet, and commonly begins in adolescence. People who perspire all over the body may have other medical conditions, she said.
Far more damaging to many sufferers than the inconvenient physical manifestations are the ridicule, embarrassment and anxiety that accompany them. This is particularly difficult for children.
“They may feel uncomfortable raising their hands in class, and the teacher might think they’re not interested,” said Dr. Kathryn Connor, a psychiatrist at Duke University who has seen young hyperhidrosis patients.
That was the case for Frances Rivers, 16, who found it nerve-racking to be around people. She could barely hold a pen in class without wiping her hands every few minutes and wore three layers of clothes to hide sweat marks under her arms. Last October, the high school student in Virginia Beach demanded that her parents arrange treatment.
Rivers’ mother, Felecia, searched the Internet and discovered a specialist who administered Botox injections on her daughter’s underarms. He also prescribed iontophoresis, a procedure where a water bath is used to conduct a mild electric current through the skin. Almost immediately, her symptoms went away.
People who think they sweat too much should locate a dermatologist to help them explore treatment options, said Pariser. One common approach is surgery that prevents nerve signals from being transmitted to sweat glands in affected areas. This procedure, however, can prompt profuse perspiration in other previously unaffected parts of the body.
People with hyperhidrosis can use prescription antiperspirants or they can temporarily block sweat glands by iontophoresis. Parente found this time-consuming and not effective. It was then that her dermatologist suggested Botox as an option. Note that you should seek natural cures BEFORE thnking about Botox and understand the risks associated with injections as well!
Botox injections stop the nerves from stimulating sweat glands, said Waldorf. Completed in minutes, these injections need to be repeated after six months. And while they may cost up to $2,000 per treatment, insurance companies are increasingly paying for the procedure if it has been prescribed by a doctor. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Botox for hyperhidrosis.
Not long after Rivers’ injections, she wore a strapless gown to her 10th-grade homecoming party and participated in her school’s pageant. “It just changed my life completely,” she said.
Thank you to Lori Riback for submitting this article and writes:
This was published in the health section of the San Diego paper today and I thought I would pass it along. Thank you, Lori Riback – Tampa Florida.
Hi, I have a rare neuropathy called CIDP…Chronic Inflammatory Demylinating Polyneuropathy. I was diagnosed with this disease in 1999 and ever since then all i do is SWEAT, A LOT!!! I just came from the store and my head, t-shirt, arms, neck were drenched, no exaggeration.
Would this be the same as Hyperhidrosis and is there treatment for this? It is very embarrassing when I’m out with my friends, shopping or just sitting at home. There is nothing I can do without sweating profusely. It could 30 below zero or 90 degrees. Please, help!!
Thanks,
Dina Fritch
sir, I’m 23 years of age, & my weight is near to 100kg. my height is about 5 feet 11 inches. I’m suffering from the problem of profuse sweating from age of 14. i start sweating, when I’m in the crowded area where all are strangers, when there is a slight change in the temperature around me. but i stop sweating as soon as i come in contact with the cool air. the sweating makes me feel thirsty & when i drink water to quench my thirst i sweat more. sir can you please suggest me any homeopathic remedy for my this problem?
I sweat profusely regardless of the temperature and cannot get anyone to take me seriously. I am horribly embarrassed when I am in the presence of others with sweat running down my face, my hair dripping wet, and my clothing clinging to my body. It’s horrible. I don’t know where to turn or what to do. What type of medical doctor would I ask to see? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
As soon as I get up the sweat starts pouring down my face, my hair wets through and drops big drops of sweat. It seems unless I have the house down to 68 degrees and fans blowing everywhere I just drop large drops from my forehead.
I start to clean house and it looks like I am cleaning outside in over 90 degrees weather. When people are around me outside or inside I just drop sweat like I have water leaking from my head. Nobody else will be sweating like this and I can’t understand what’s wrong with them!
I have to wear dark clothes or you can see the sweat on my bottom, looks like I peed in my pants! That is embarrassing with my behind sweating through my gray shorts. I am 58. When I am getting ready to go off I must have the fans blowing on me and the house temperature low. After making up my face I just sweat it all off. The only place I really cool down is when I get into the car and blast myself with the air conditioner!
As soon as I come into the 70 degrees house that my husband set the thermometer on I can’t strip off fast enough. I keep my bedroom very cool an enjoy covering with covers, yet still wait up sometimes and have left a water imprint on my bedsheets. Today, I couldn’t stop drinking water and then got nauseated and threw it up. Couldn’t eat anything after. Just so thirsty. I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, have thyroidism, and I do take Prozac. Just recently I told my doctor and she has run many blood tests. I’ll try to post what she tells me.
Just call me water logged. As fast as it comes out I try to put it back in. And I am freezing my husband to-death just trying to keep myself cool. It is a full time business.
Susie Wagner
I am 28 years old. I think I have some form of Hyperhidrosis. My face, scalp, neck, chest, back, stomach, arms, armpits, backs of hands (not palms), legs and feet will literally have sweat dripping when I am doing the same activity as another person that is barely even breaking a sweat. It all starts on my face and I begin to feel it in my scalp, then my neck, chest and back… you get the idea.
I’ll be freezing (with goose bumps) one moment and get up and walk around, inside or outside, and the whole process will begin.
My problem is very debilitating and depressing. I think it has slowly gotten worse over the past 5 years that I’ve had it. I love the outdoors but rarely participate in outdoor activities now unless I am by the pool or a body of water b/c I am so embarassed. It makes me sad to think about everything that I am missing out on.
Sometimes it happens in a store or in public (even when it is cool/cold)and I can tell the process is starting. I’ll walk outside to my car and by the time I start my car, my whole body is covered in sweat. I can touch my shin and it is wet, like someone poured a cup of water on it.
I love to dance at weddings and like being very active, exercise has been very important to me for about the past 10 years. My sweating gets in the way though. I can dance for one song and my hair is soaked. I don’t have to do any cardio to sweat. I can lift weights for 5 minutes and I’m well on my way to being soaked. I read another post similar to this.
I don’t like giving hugs to people anymore. I hug someone and they touch my back and they kind of take a step back. I’ll be talking to somebody and my face just starts to bead up.
Every activity I do, I have to take into consideration the temperature and whether or not there is a likely chance for me to sweat. And, almost always there is.
I rarely drink, I eat healthier than anybody I know. I really am desperate for help and answers. I don’t think I’ve seen an instance anywhere like mine though.
I’m noxious_man from the Philippines. I have an extreme hyperhydrosis w/c you don’t think a person has. I sweat a lot all over my body, even I’m on the air conditioned room or even after taking shower. I also experience profuse body heat especially when I’m awake in terms of if i know that there is someone who will getting near to me, my body heat will rise that causes me to not smell so good! I experiencing it 5 years now…now i’m a graduate of computer engineer but for now i don’t want to get a job because I’m afraid to be always at the center of discussion and nothing can do just to regret them and pitying myself. Can someone give me an alternative medications from this curse? I’m begging you………
Hello,i wanted to say that i also suffer from over sweating but I’m working on finding a solution for this problem. i have had this problem since school right up to my late 30′s. i didn’t think it was curable but the more I read, the more hope I have.
i did a lot of research on my over sweating and learned a lot about why it happens, symptoms, how to stop it. By using some simple relation techniques, i have not sweated excessively now for 42 days and counting.
I had all the problems that other people have mentioned and i know what its like changing clothes constantly. i had to have 2 trousers and shirts in my work locker all the time and school was a nightmare for me but my mother had told my headteacher and i used to be excused from class to change my clothes but i was still picked on unfortunately.
i decided to really do something about it because it was affecting my marriage. I finally found that training yourself to relax can greatly reduce the sweating.
I’m still looking for a medical cure, but at least I don’t have to suffer as much while waiting. My advice to those of you over sweating and waiting for a cure is to read up on relaxation techniques. Sounds crazy, but it can make a difference.
Thank you,
Ted
I am having a problem! I start sweating when i am in crowded area or at work i need a cure, it’s driving me crazy! I am thinking its some kind of anxiety attack. When i am home it does not happen but once i get out there my arm starts sweating! Please, I need help!
I have the exact same problems that Tara has mentioned above and I don’t know what to do. I work outside and it seems like I sweat the minute I start anything even if it is 50 degrees out and the task is simple. I have asked a dermatologist but she only prescribed drysol which works but not if you sweat like crazy all over your head neck and back… I have looked into the EPS surgery but it still looks way to risky of an operation. I feel like this is ruining my social life and I am always wondering if there is some place cool that I can covertly retreat to like some crazy person. What is my next step?
In 2005, I went to the Mayo Clinic, & had 2 weeks of tests. I was also powdered with a yellow powder, that turns purple where you sweat, & placed in a *BOX* for 45 minutes. My picture came out mostly Purple, & I was diagnosed with Hyperhydrosis & Small Fiber Neuropothy, among other things.
Since 2005, the sweating has increased.. If I take a cool shower, I begin to sweat before I can even dry off.
My hair, *ALWAYS look like I have just stepped out of the shower, I can’t even get it blow dried, or curling iron curled & I must keep it pinned up, & its still drenched & stuck to my head. I have always taken great pride in my hair.
The Sweat ruins my make-up, with in a few minutes, I might as well not put any on. I wear glasses, & the Sweat runs down from my scalp into face & eyes. I am >>>*COMPLETELY DRENCHED <<<< I Sweat all over as well, just not quite as much. Always damp every where though. I use plenty of anti-persperant & baby powder. The Sweats can come on at anytime, & do, several times a day.
I rarely go out of the house, as it is very embarrassing & uncomfortable. And I have became very depressed a long time ago.
I have used every home remedy I have read about, neck coolers, etc.
I would prefer my A/C at 68 degrees, but my husband is 81 years old, and his blood circulation isn't good & he prefers 74 degrees. My Son-In-Law, has said he could hang meat in my home, as its so cold in here.
It is so hard to visit family that is in nursing homes, for longer than 5-10 minutes, as they have their heat on, & they deserve a visit much longer than that.
I desperately hope there is something you can recommend for me….
As this is becoming much worse,VERY FAST & is a miserable thing to have, several times a day.
I also have Fibromyalgia, Hyper Thyroid, but blood tests are in a good range.
Thank You,
Marilyn L. Mitchell
Hi there,
I am really feeling for the people on here who have posted, as I can totally relate to your stories.
I live in Sydney, Australia in a very humid part that can reach up to 45 degrees centigrade in summer. I came from New Zealand which was a very cold country. Since arriving here I have become more aware of my hyperhydrosis which mainly affects my scalp, face and hairline – though in extreme conditions my whole body is affected.
I researched into this and ended up going to a specialist to have botox injections in my scalp. The cost was about $1,000 and the results were very good – it really did stop the bulk of the sweating in the areas it was applied. It does last for about six months. It is not that painful, just like small bee stings.
For the anxiety associated with sweating I have found beta blockers to be very effective (you must see a doctor first before using these). You only need to use a very small amount compared to what someone with blood pressure problems does so I believe they are generally safe. I guess you would not want to be using these every day however.
I come from a classical music background and have to speak publicly regularly so have found these help a lot with performance anxiety. The beta blockers block the flow of adrenaline in your body which is aroused under emotional stress. It is the adrenaline that causes you to sweat and shake when you are nervous. Beta blockers won’t stop the sweating from heat or humidity or physical work per se, but they will stop you breaking out in sweat from nerves (i.e. fear of sweating). I usually take them 1 – 1 1/2 hours before a stressful situation. They last about 3-8 hours, peaking in strength at about the 2 hour mark for me.
I hope this helps somebody out there who is suffering like I have.
God bless,
Andrew
Hello
Well I have read all the other posts, and didn’t realize so many others experienced what I have. My hyperhidrosis began around age 38. I thought it was the start of my menopause. I don’t get the sweaty palms and feet. I fact oddly enough, those are my few dry spots. I get the face, scalp, neck, to knees. Mostly bothered is the face and hair. I take a shower, and while drying off with a towel, the hairline and face start in. Pain can start it, anxiety can start it. Any activity can get it started. I can;t believe a person can have that much fluid in them, to have several bouts a day of excessive sweating, without getting dehydrated. I really can’t afford the Botox treatments, but wished I could. If I am just sitting or laying down comfortably watching tele, and no sweating But if I get anxious, or nervous, it can start without ant physical activity ongoing.
My family on both sides have history of diabetes, and hypothyroidism. I have blood-work to test for them every year, so far neg for both. Oddly I don’t get any cramps from so much fluid loss, A tendency for cramps in muscles from lowered potassium from fluid loss. Although at times my stomach can cramp up tight and get slight nausea with it. Could be a concentration of my medications I am on. Makes sense if the hyperhidrosis could cause dehydration if not drinking fluids to replace the fluid deficit. Wish there was a permanent easy fix. As I said in the beginning, this started around age 38, an I am 53 now. And the sweating for me doesn’t have body odor anywhere, my deoderant keeps my underarms dry,,but the hair, face back, stomach, neck, and groin sweat doesn’t give off odor for me. Bacteria is generally an odor cause. But I do Shower once or twice a day. Luck to all.
Brandy
Hi,
I am a 51 year old mom who is going back to work. I am desperately seeking a solution to my sweating. First time I remember pouring sweat was when I was 25 and in good shape. Anxiety, nerves, and work all triggered sweating episodes, but at least it wasn’t every day. These last couple years I sweat whenever I get anxious, nervous, or do anything. Today I was just screwing in screws in a pole, sitting in air conditioning and pouring sweat. Anytime I do housework I sweat, any time I do anything I sweat. I spent a week in a nursing home working and all I did was pour sweat. It was so bad, not only did all the nurses and aides comment on it, but one of my teen age classmates was even blotting my dripping head while I was trying to do my job. My body gets soaked, my clothes get soaked within minutes… I am supposed to start working again, but am scared that the sweat will gross everyone out and can cost me a job. Please, help…my doctor doesn’t have a clue.
I read with interest your article on excessive sweating published last week, in the Times of India wellness page.
I have experienced the usual symptoms of wet palms and foul odour from toes during my childhood, at times accompanied by frozen palms. Looking back it could be as you rightly pointed due to anxiety derived from insecurity and falling standards.
Fortunately with time and improved social status the condition described mitigated to acceptable limits that could be considered normal for climate conditions. However the profuse sweating of entire body, head to toes, is still triggered by the least of physical activity, be it a brisk walk or changing a washer of the washbasin tap, without any sign of tiredness.
I can live with this, but what is embarrassing is the sweat leaves a stain on the inner clothing (vest and brief) at the folds of skin and inner wear, where the sweat tends to accumulate. The stain starts as yellow in colour and over time becomes brown. This despite bathing daily with soap (twice a day in summer) and inner wear washed with detergent at the end of each working day or outdoor activity.
A face towel in lieu of a handkerchief, I use to handle the excessive sweat, which when wringed exudes an opaque liquid. I drink a lot of water 6-8 glasses depending on activity, which automatically generates appropriate amount of thirst, but I am concerned about the salts lost in the sweat.
I am a 71 year old male with average health and enjoy a fair amount of physical activity.
Last test in May 2010;
Weight 63 kgs Height 169 cms Fasting sugar 62 BP 140/90
Total Cholesterol 190.90
Cholesterol HDL Direct 76.80 mg% LDL Cholesterol 97.58 mg% Triglycerides 82.60 mg%
ABI Ankle/Brachial index 0.99 ~ 1.04
ECG Normal
Any ideas on what might be a good course correction regarding controlled sweating and importantly the staining of innerwear?
Rgds