Message for Employers, Family & Friends
First, understand the impact on your loved one or colleague.
Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) is a medical condition that can affect nearly every aspect of a person's daily life. This sweating is uncontrollable, leading people to develop coping strategies to hide their symptoms or avoid embarrassment. Similarly, unpleasant body odor can often occur through no fault of a person, even with regular hygiene. It can be devastating to a person's daily life - socially, professionally and emotionally. Compensating behaviors for either problem can include shying away from physical contact like handshakes or hugs, avoiding social situations, staying home, and keeping extra fans going at home or at work. Both excessive sweating and body odor problems can cause emotional damage. For instance, in an International Hyperhidrosis Society survey, 90% of hyperhidrosis sufferers said that they had experienced negative and cruel comments from other people because of their sweating. Bullying related to sweating or odor can be common. This can be devastating, especially to children.
Second, offer encouragement and support.
Let your loved one or colleague know that they are not alone and that help is available. Encourage the affected person to learn more about excessive sweating and body odor and, if desired, to seek treatment to manage hyperhidrosis or odor. You can also direct them to the International Hyperhidrosis Society where they can find reliable information, resources, and support. Above all, listen without judgment, respect their privacy, and offer compassion rather than criticism.
Here are More Ways You Can Help:
Learn as much as you can about hyperhidrosis and body odor and their effects by reading this site - this will enable you to empathize with your loved one or co-worker and to better appreciate why he or she may act in certain ways, avoid some situations, and even choose particular jobs, clothes, and recreational activities.
Encourage your loved one or co-worker to talk to a medical professional about excessive sweating or odor and to seek treatment or actively participate in research. This can be incredibly empowering! Through corporate support and donations from our community, the International Hyperhidrosis Society holds seminars where sufferers from all over the world gather to share, inspire, and even receive treatment. These events are announced through the organization's blog so be sure to subscribe you and your friend.
Help your loved one or co-worker to find a medical provider using our unique, hyperhidrosis-focused Clinician Finder database. Usually, Hyperhidrosis-savvy practitioners are also body odor educated, as well. Use of the Clinician Finder is free and it allows you to search for healthcare professionals in your area who are familiar with hyperhidrosis and odor issues. Our Clinician Finder even allows you to search by gender and whether they are trained by the International Hyperhidrosis Society (look for the "IHhS Educated" designation). And if you're an employer, make sure the health insurance that you provide to your employees covers hyperhidrosis or odor treatments. Help your loved one or colleague to continue to discover news and advances in hyperhidrosis and odor treatment. To do so, subscribe to our free blog - it’s the global source for updates on research, advocacy, and other news in the hyperhidrosis and odor world.
Support his or her quest for relief from excessive sweating or body odor. If appropriate, accompany him or her on medical visits to take notes and ask questions. If a particular treatment isn't working, encourage the person you care about to talk to his or her healthcare team about finding an alternative. Perseverance is key. Until we have educated all medical professionals in hyperhidrosis and odor care, and increased public awareness, the challenge to care will exist. That's why it's so important to support the International Hyperhidrosis Society through donations and action. There's a tremendous amount of work still left to do.
Sufferers with underarm excessive sweating (axillary hyperhidrosis) were surveyed. Here’s what they said:
- Excessive sweating affects my emotions (90%)
- Sweating makes me less confident (50%)
- I get frustrated by daily activities (38%)
- I feel unhappy (34%)
- I’m depressed (20%)
Sufferers with palm sweating (palmar hyperhidrosis) were surveyed. Here’s what they said:
- Sweating interferes with my ability to perform everyday tasks (95%)
- I feel embarrassed in social situations (90%)
- I avoid shaking hands (77%)
- My mental well-being is affected by my excessive sweating (40%)
DONATE: Hyperhidrosis and body odor take a heavy toll. Your support can make a world of difference. Consider employer-led matching gift programs (get started using our Matching Gift Form), annual donations, planned giving, and program sponsorship. We are only as strong as we are together. The International Hyperhidrosis Society is a charity recognized by the US Treasury as a 501c3 organization. Your generosity is tax-deductible.