Yashas S.
India
When I was 15 I noticed that my hands sweat and they always have a film on them. It has really affected my social life and limits my relationship with my girlfriend.
While doing my 12th board exams I still sweat so much that it hinders my writing speed and I just keep on changing pens in the hope of getting a better grip on any of them so that I can finish my exam on time.
The real reason I guess is nervousness, anxiety, excitation and well hot and humid environmental conditions.
It makes me feel too uncomfortable during eating, studying and even during the examination time, even then I struggle a lot when I am outside.
Personally, I have been suffering from sweating on palms (palmar hyperhidrosis) and feet (plantar hyperhidrosis).
Public speaking never scared me, but shaking hands with anyone was a thing I dreaded. Nevertheless, it affects one's confidence negatively.
I always wished to
live a normal life just like other people though I saw other people
suffered differently and I kept myself silent and cried in silence.
When sweat drips, I feel helpless and it reminds the uncommonness in me. It sucks. The mind quickly sees the happy dry life of people around and compares it with my despair.
I was so nervous that someone might notice my sweaty hands, that I would always try to make sure that I avoided shaking hands as much as possible.
This condition had caused me a lot of anxiety and stress, while causing severe damage to my self-esteem.
I struggle a lot while using laptops, while writing, while shaking hands with people, while driving, and much more.
I have tried so many different deodorants and antiperspirants and none of them work.
The only thing I can do till now is:
1. To stop closing my hands as a default mode
2. To wash my hands if they start sweating.
I have tried visiting a dermatologist, exploring things on internet, using antiperspirants but none of them work.
And the last but not least thing I can say is "yes, hyperhidrosis sucks".
And the good thing is there are many treatments available today.
So this is my long short story :)