If you suffer from excessive sweating, chances are, you suffer every day. You may constantly worry about how much you’re sweating. You may spend hours each day dealing with sweat - changing clothes, "freshening up", wiping, placing napkins or pads under your arms or in your pockets, bathing, and hiding under dark-colored, bulky clothes. You may have lost friends and opportunities because of extremely sweaty palms, feet, face, or armpits. Afraid of what people will think, you may even make excuses to stay home, or choose careers in which you don’t have to interact with people, shake hands, or give presentations. Emotional problems, including depression, social isolation, and decreased confidence, can result.
In addition to psychological troubles, excessive sweating can also cause painful or irritating skin problems, such as bacterial or fungal overgrowth, infections, and disintegration (also called maceration) of the skin. From physical discomfort, to anxiety, embarrassment, and the stress of always hiding your sweat from others, hyperhidrosis can impact nearly all aspects of your life.To help your physician, your health insurance plan, even your friends and loved ones understand how much hyperhidrosis negatively affects you, it’s useful to think about and keep track of its daily effects.
Print out the following worksheet and use it to keep track of how excessive sweating manifests itself in your life and how sweat impairs your daily activities. Write in your answers to the questions and cite examples. Bring the questions and your answers to your next doctor’s appointment, or use them as evidence of the seriousness of your condition if you need to convince your health insurance plan to cover your treatments. Click here for a printable worksheet of the questions below.
While it's important to document how excessive sweating impacts the quality of your life, it's also key to understand that there are two main types of hyperhidrosis--primary focal and secondary generalized--and your next step is to learn the difference so you can move forward in finding relief.
Do you sweat profusely when you eat? Or when you simply think about a meal? You may have a form of excessive sweating called gustatory hyperhidrosis or Frey's syndrome. This food-related sweating can be extremely embarrassing but treatments are available. In fact, Botox injections have been shown (anecdotally) to provide up to two years of relief from gustatory sweating.
Read the Full StoryWhile you're doing your online shopping this holiday season, you could simultaneously be donating to the IHHS. GoodShop is a tool that allows you to donate to American charities by shopping online at any of the 2,500 participating retailers. Every major retailer in the country participates and up to 20% of every purchase can be donated to our cause. Plus, they have more than 100,000 money-saving coupons and deals! Or, if you or someone on your gift list suffers with hyperhidrosis, take a look at the Deals and Discounts page on SweatHelp.org. You'll find a variety of special items that will make living with excessive sweating just a bit easier and more comfortable...
Read the Full StoryWe write a lot about the practical, emotional, and social consequences of excessive sweating. But in the winter, it's important to also think about basic health and safety. Did you know that hyperhidrosis can put skin at risk of cold injuries? If your skin and clothing is damp and you are out in the cold weather, you need to know about the signs and symptoms of frost nip and frost bite.
Read the Full StoryWinter's wonderland brings relief from sweating problems, right? Wrong. Often, hyperhidrosis ignores the thermometer - bringing discomfort and embarrassment even in January. In fact, at New Year, excessive sweating can be particularly distressing in the workplace with new challenges, high expectations, and even interviews taking center stage. Fortunately, we've got tips to help you shine (and not with sweat) in 2012...
Read the Full StoryDr Samantha Hill is one of the strongest advocates for hyperhidrosis awareness and effective medical treatment. Watch as this powerhouse pediatric dermatologist takes Texas to school!
Nowell Solish, MD founding Board member of the International Hyperhidrosis Society trumps in discovering novel applications of proven therapies. Join Dr Solish at the 2012 Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference.
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William P. Coleman, MD leads the session at the 2012 Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference on new approaches to treating and managing hyperhidrosis. If you want to know the latest, there's no where else to be.
David M. Pariser, MD champions the session at 2012 WINTER CLINICAL DERMATOLOGY CONFERENCE about new reimbursement coding regulations. Attend and you will leave with a string of practical pearls.
Cathy Parrish, RN, MSN, FNP-C leads an informative session on hyperhidrosis at the 30th anniversary of the fantastic Dermatology Nurses' Association Annual Convention.
Subscribe to SweatSolutions and be the first to know about new treatments, advances, and everything you ever wanted to know about excessive sweating!
James Swinehart, MD leads a captivating session on treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis at the AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY ANNUAL MEETING 2012.
Summer is here! Subscribe to SweatSolutions and be the first to hear everything you ever wanted to know about excessive sweating--but didn't have anyone to ask!
Subscribe to SweatSolutions and be sure to get the Summer and Back-to School issue--always full of incredible offers!
Subscribe to SweatSolutions and be sure to get the Back-to School issue--always full of incredible offers!
Join Janet Holva-DeSipio at the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants Annual Fall CME Conference to learn best in class care for hyperhidrosis.
Subscribe to SweatSolutioins and be sure to get the Back-to School issue--always full of incredible offers!