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Preparing for Your Doctor's Appointment
People with hyperhidrosis sometimes find it difficult to
talk about the condition and its potentially devastating effects
on daily life. Even when they do talk about it, people suffering
from hyperhidrosis often feel like no one is listening. By
doing a little preparation, however, you can help ensure that
your doctor will listen to you, will understand how the condition
affects you, and will help you find the
treatment option that’s
best for you.
One way to prepare for your doctor’s visit is to do
as much research about hyperhidrosis and the available treatments
as you can. You can start by reading this entire site. It’s
full of in-depth, reliable, and balanced information. You
may also want to consider speaking with a dermatologist (a
physician who is specially trained to diagnose and treat skin
conditions). In general, dermatologists are among
the physicians most educated about hyperhidrosis. Their
knowledge of excessive sweating is due, in part, to American Academy
of Dermatology educational programs on the subject
and International Hyperhidrosis Society symposia, which many dermatologists participate in.
To help you find a dermatologist or another
type of physician who is familiar with hyperhidrosis, we've
created a unique, hyperhidrosis-focused Physician Finder.
Our Physician Finder is your source for information on physicians
who treat hyperhidrosis.
Plan Ahead
To help make your doctor's visit more productive, we've
compiled a list of things to think about and do before you go.
- First, gather information on all the treatments you use
or have used. These treatments may include antiperspirants,
deodorants, and powders, as well as herbal or “alternative”
remedies. Think about how these products have worked, or
not worked, for you. Make a list of these treatments along
with information about their level of effectiveness.
- When evaluating your excessive sweating problem, your
doctor will probably have questions about when you developed
the condition. Think back: how old were you when you first
noticed your excessive sweating?
- Your doctor will also want to know how much you sweat
and how it affects your daily activities. It’s important
for your doctor to know that you believe that your excessive
sweating requires treatment beyond the antiperspirants you
can buy at the drugstore.
- Visit our Diagnosing Hyperhidrosis page.
Print the worksheet provided and write down your
answers to its questions. Bring the worksheet to your
doctor appointment and use it to help explain how
hyperhidrosis impacts your life.
- To help your doctor determine your health risks, your
genetic tendency toward hyperhidrosis, or whether you have
any medical conditions that can cause secondary hyperhidrosis,
note whether you or anyone in your family suffers from diabetes,
anxiety disorders, or excessive sweating. Also, note the
areas of your body affected by excessive sweating, such
as hands, feet, underarms, head, or face. If you experience
excessive sweating of any of these areas, you may have focal
hyperhidrosis. The treatments described on this site are
for focal hyperhidrosis. If you sweat excessively over much
or all of your body, you may have generalized hyperhidrosis,
which requires different types of treatment. Your doctor
will determine which type of excessive sweating you have
and how to proceed.
- Plan ahead and maximize your chances of receiving
reimbursement or insurance coverage for hyperhidrosis
treatments by reading our Insurance Tools section.
Be sure to print out and bring along our Sample Letter of
Medical Necessity.
Your physician can use this document to inform your
insurance company of your need for hyperhidrosis
treatment, of the treatments that you've already
tried, and of the treatment that he or she is
recommending.
- Ask a friend or
loved one to come with you to your doctor
appointment. They can help you remember to ask all of your
questions, take notes, and request that the doctor explain
confusing information. And, of course, they can offer support
and understanding in a situation that can sometimes feel
overwhelming.
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Find a doctor who treats excessive sweating. |
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