Choo W. Z.

Singapore

Our hands serve many functions, beyond their basic duties of carrying and holding things, we establish connections with loved ones through physical touch such as hugs, handshakes, pat on the back and holding hands during long walks in the park. Having hyperhidrosis meant that all that I could offer to my loved ones were my dripping wet palms. I did not enjoy giving wet introductory handshakes to new friends, leaving handprints and wet marks on the objects that I touched like typing my number into colleague's handphone, hesitating to offer a pat on the back for encouragement or joy and being left out of activities like basketball and rock climbing. My constantly dripping hands also made me a target of childhood bullies for my sweaty palms and being teased by my friends for my slippery touch. These small things in life have greatly impacted my self-esteem and confidence growing up. No one else around me has hyperhidrosis which meant little understanding about my condition, I tried a variety of online 'hacks' including applying baby powder to absorb the excess sweat and applying antiperspirant on my hands, to no avail. Medical procedures like the use of botox to control the sweating were too risky and expensive for me. After years of enduring the embarrassment that came with my hyperhidrosis, I had almost fully conceded to a life with constantly wet hands. Just a month ago, I received Dermadry as a gift from my significant other. I wanted to use this opportunity to express my gratitude to her and to Dermadry for giving me an opportunity to embrace all the adventures and connect with the people around me with greater confidence.