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 it is uncontrollable and 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, high-fives 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 through the International Hyperhidrosis Society.

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 or actively participate in hyperhidrosis research. This can be incredibly empowering! Through support and donations, the International Hyperhidrosis Society holds annual clinics where hyperhidrosis sufferers from all over the world gather to share, inspire, and even receive free treatment. These events are announced through the organization's email alerts 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. Use of the Clinician Finder is free and it allows you to search for healthcare professionals in your area who are familiar with hyperhidrosis. Our Clinician Finder even allows you to search by gender and whether they are trained by the International Hyperhidrosis Society (look for IHHS-Educated designation). And if you're an employer, make sure the health insurance that you provide to your employees covers hyperhidrosis treatments. Help your loved one or colleague to continue to discover news and advances in hyperhidrosis treatment. To do so, subscribe to our SweatSolutions email alerts - it’s the global source for updates on research, advocacy, and other news in the hyperhidrosis world.

Support his or her quest for relief from excessive sweating. 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 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 takes 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.


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