Priscilla

Canada

I've been experiencing hyperhidrosis since I was a young teen. At first, it was just my hands that would sweat when I would get nervous but it was never a concern and I thought it was normal. As I got older, I began to sweat in more places, such as my feet, underarms and other areas. This became more of a problem as I would generate so much sweat, it started to affect my confidence and self-image. It pushed me to distance myself from others, give up on hobbies I once enjoyed and decrease my confidence. I'm still learning to navigate my hyperhidrosis but I hope I will soon enjoy the activities I once enjoy and my confidence again.

Vanessa Mae A.

Philippines

I always feel embarrassed for a hand shake thinking that they are grossed out with my wet hands. I am not comfortable wearing my sandals when going out because it would only harbor dirt on my wet feet and also, standing/walking on an inclined path makes me slide frontward. I usually wear a white blouse/shirt in order to conceal sweat marks. I had to put tissue on my soles to wear a closed sandal. I had to put extra tissue/paper on my hand when writing. I had been struggling donning gloves using non-powdered ones so I had to use bigger sizes.

Emily

United States

Since I was in elementary school, I've dealt with extreme overactive sweat glands in my hands, feet, underarms, and most recently, groin. It doesn't matter if I'm cold or hot, nervous or calm. Since 9th grade, I've been taking an oral medication that has significantly decreased the amount of sweat, but even with medicine, it's a huge problem. It comes out so heavily, making me wet, uncomfortable, and self conscious. I've learned to pick outfits according to how sweaty I think I'll be that day. I separated myself from groups of people and Sunday school classes because I didn't want to touch anyone or be called gross. As a child, my pencil would slip out of my hand while writing, and my paper would become soaked. I'd leave puddles on the keyboard in typing class. The driver's ed teacher had to wipe down the steering wheel for the next student. I learned to live a life of hiding. As an adult, I still prefer my distance from people. On my wedding day, I couldn't even hold my husband's hands at the altar because they were dripping and swollen with wetness. I had to go barefoot because the heels kept slipping off my feet. The ring almost didn't fit because my fingers were so swollen (think pool fingers). To top that off, sweat was literally dripping down my arms while I said my vows. I embrace my condition more now than I did, but as a school aged girl, it was so much harder to deal with. While the medicine I take has helped, I get anxious about running out. A day without the pill (& sometimes even if I take a full dose), my whole body becomes a water fountain. I started sleeping with a towel in high school because it was hard to fall asleep with wet hands. Thank God for the medicine I take (glycopyrrolate), but I so desperately want a more permanent and more reliable solution. The creams don't work. The fancy deodorants don't work. Sweatblock worked for a while, but it tore up my skin. Carpe is good to use in addition to, but I wouldn't rely on it working independently, at least for me. Botox is expensive and painful. Someday I hope to get a surgery where they clip a nerve that somehow controls sweat release, but until then, I will gladly be an advocate for hyperhidrosis awareness. It is an under-Researched, misunderstood condition that needs a REAL solution. It physically affects school life, work life, and home life, as well as self esteem.

Chelsea K.

United States

I am 24 year old female and this is my story. I noticed I had excessive sweating when I would soak through my shirts at school when I was a teenager. The more I got older the worse I got. I sweat excessively from my underarms, feet, and hands. This affects my daily routines like picking out clothes to wear, driving, and writing. I constantly worry of someone touching my hand and feeling how sweaty they are.

Catalina

Romania

I’m 25 years old, and a future doctor. I suffer from severe hyperhidrosis since I was a child. I don’t know what it's like to wear sandals or flip flops, to wear colorful t-shirts and pretty dresses, and I am always embarrassed if someone notices that I have paper tissues in my hands, and asks about them. I really want to get rid of this problem, because now it’s going to interfere with my medical career, for which I’ve worked so hard, and it’s been enough. I’m tired, and I don’t want to hide anymore

Jaime J.

Canada

Hyperhidrosis has affected and challenged me in many ways. My first memory is when I was just 10 years old during physical education dance class. No one wanted to be my partner because they didn’t want to hold my hand. Similar scenarios continued throughout my adolescence and into adulthood, including: Growing up trying to date and explain to your date or boyfriend why your hands are soaking wet (thanks to my partner now, he’s very supportive, but I still miss hand-holding!) Having an anxiety attack right before an interview, but not fear of the questions but because of the obligatory handshake. Constant slipping on my yoga mat. Not being able to give high fives to my students. Only wearing linen or cotton clothes; polyester is an absolute sin for us hyperhidrosis folk! Carrying a cloth in my handbag at all times for a quick wipe of the palms. Leaving a puddle of sweat where my palms rest on computer keyboards. Unable to unlock my phone because it requires a dry fingerprint. Only being able to wear certain sandals that can absorb sweat. Having to purchase new shoes frequently because of how quickly the excessive sweat destroys the insoles (and the smell too!) *See the photo of my footwear that is less than a year old - I feel this image captures the accuracy of excessive sweat from my feet more so than a photograph of the beads of sweat. And so the list goes on. From simple daily tasks, to social, emotional or occupational turmoil. But I mostly feel sorry for the little girl at the beginning who was so vulnerable and didn’t feel in control of her own body. And with no one to talk to who could understand or empathize with her. Now I am a confident woman who does not feel ashamed or embarrassed to speak out about the silent condition of excessive sweating known as hyperhidrosis. I now openly talk about it to friends, family, acquaintances and strangers as a topic of conversation. I now understand I am not alone; we are a community. So let’s share our voices and stories in hopes to reach out to those who need to hear it the most - just know, you are not alone.

Junjie C. A.

Philippines

I'm a technical support specialist in the Philippines and its always humid here. I have had hyperhidrosis for 10 years now. I don't want to go outside, my social life is completely severed. I don't like going out, I'm staying at home most of my life. If I go out, I wear socks and my underarms are very sweaty. My hands and feet are dripping. I already accepted it since I know I can't do anything about it. But it would be better if I had remedies for it. I'm reading inspiring stories about hyperhidrosis and it makes me feel that I'm still important even if i have this condition. Still blessed to have my family and friends who accept me for who I am.

Cameron C.

United States

I have been dealing with skin issues my whole life - acne, sensitivity, sunburns, and sweating. Hyperhidrosis of my hands and feet has been a source of my embarrassment and annoyance for so many years. I was always too afraid to hold hands on first dates, too self-conscious to shake hands with job interviewers, and too embarrassed to talk about my condition. Only after hearing others share their stories have I come to accept that this condition is not a fault, but merely a fact of many of our lives. I remember when I first told my best friend about my hyperhidrosis; I will never forget the acceptance he offered me. Being vulnerable and sharing that I suffer from a stigmatized condition is anxiety-inducing, but necessary for me to move toward self-acceptance and self-love.

Fan

Canada

Ever since I was young I had a somewhat psychological and physical condition reaction to sweating. Especially when I am a little nervous. This is a huge hinderance for me in professional settings and it is something I dream of getting rid of. I have tried Botox and it is expensive and very paindful. So I researched and read about the good reviews on Dermadry and decide to give it a try!

Kelli S.

United States

My first boyfriend (when I was very young) refused to hold my hand. People will drop their hands after dancing with me and wipe them with a disgusted look. I am terrified of shaking hands with others because they always wipe their hands after they shake mine. I never give high fives because people always mock me about my sweaty hands.

Grace

Netherlands

I have noticed that I have had hyperhidrosis since the age of 10 years old up until now. I have gotten different prescriptions from my doctor but they all didn't work. I have low self esteem because of my hyperhidrosis, and just this year I was able to find the cure for my hyperhidrosis when I found Dermadry. I'm now on my 7th week of treatment on my armpits, hands, and my feet.

Marvelyn O.

Philippines

I'm one of those people suffering from face, hands, feet and underarm HH. Hyperhidrosis really affects my life (physical, mental and emotional). I have tried several over the counter antiperspirant but it didn't help. It just makes my HH worse because this year my face also sweats (not just a normal sweat but an excessive sweat). I really want to have a normal life again and the Ionto Machine is my last hope but can't afford since I am still a student. I observed that I sweat more than normal when i was just a teenager but I didn't mind this before because it was just my hands and feet and thought it will just fade away. My parents said this is just "pasma" and I just have to pee on my hands and feet every morning to be cured, but it didn't. I was 18 when i observed my underarms start sweating but still didn't mind at first cause I was working as a factory worker that time. It's not that bad though and I go to work in the early morning and go home at night. And I work in an air-conditioned workplace. But in 2018 I decided to go back to school to study college. That is the time I started to mind my HH cause I experienced bullying from other students. I became conscious with my sweating so I've tried several over the counter antiperspirant but it's just gotten worse. I'm now an incoming 3rd year College student and worried cause I know my HH might affect my incoming OJT. The photo shows my underarm after just a minutes of changing my clothes.