Message for Employers, Family & Friends

First, understand that excessive sweating is a serious medical condition that affects your loved one or colleague every day. Understand that a person with hyperhidrosis often develops numerous compensating or defensive behaviors to hide his or her excessive sweating. These behaviors may include shying away from handshakes, hugs, or other physical contact, avoiding social situations, and keeping extra fans on in his or her office or home. Understand, also, that excessive sweating 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. Such comments can be devastating, especially to children.

After understanding, the second most important thing you can do to help someone who suffers from excessive sweating is to encourage him or her. Encourage the affected person to learn more about excessive sweating, and if desired, to seek treatment to manage hyperhidrosis, and to reach out for support.

Here are More Ways You Can Help:

Learn as much as you can about hyperhidrosis and its 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 and to seek treatment for hyperhidrosis.

Help your loved one or co-worker to find a physician using our unique, hyperhidrosis-focused Physician Finder database. Use of the Physician Finder is free and it allows you to search for physicians in your area who are familiar with hyperhidrosis. If you're an employer, make sure the health insurance that you provide to your employees covers hyperhidrosis treatments.

Support his or her quest for relief from excessive sweating. If appropriate, accompany him or her on doctor’s 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 doctor about finding an alternative. 

Help your loved one or colleague to continue to discover news and advances in hyperhidrosis treatment. To do so, subscribe to our SweatSolutions e-mail newsletter - it’s the source for updates on research, advocacy, and other news in the hyperhidrosis world.

Hyperhidrosis takes a heavy toll. Your support can make a world of difference.

Patients with axillary (underarms) 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%)

Patients with palmar (palms) 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%)