Hyperhidrosis (HH)

amberpitz
amberpitz Posts: 103 Member
Good Morning Everyone! (or whatever time it may be for you)

I am wondering if there are any people on here who suffer from HH..Hyperhydrosis. Would like to know how it has affected your life and your weight loss journey. If anyone would like to talk with me about this, I would like friends who would like to give and recieve support on this topic.
I have had HH my whole life and I have accute whole body HH. I have never met anyone else with it and a friend suggested asking here in the community. Any can send me a message and friend request. Im excited to know how this affects your excersize life and any other parts of your life and if anyone has found a succesful way to deal with it well. If you dont suffer from HH I still wouldnt mind a friend add and messages..All are welcome. Friends are good :)
Please though this is a serious post and fun and games should be left in the fun and games section. I know people sweat during workouts...This is not what this is about. This condition is beyond excessive sweating and is something diagnosed by a dermatologist in most cases. So please be kind. Thanks again :)

For any who dont know what this is I will post a description below. :) Thanks for reading/responding.


Primary hyperhidrosis is the condition characterized by abnormally increased perspiration, in excess of that required for regulation of body temperature. Some patients afflicted with the condition experience a distinct reduction in the quality of life. Sufferers feel at a loss of control because perspiration takes place independent of temperature and emotional state.
However, anxiety can exacerbate the situation for many sufferers. A common complaint of patients is that they get nervous because they sweat, then sweat more because they are nervous. Other factors can play a role; certain foods & drinks, nicotine, caffeine, and smells can trigger a response (see also diaphoresis).

There is controversy regarding the definition of hyperhidrosis, because any sweat that drips off of the body is in excess of that required for thermoregulation. Almost all people will drip sweat off of the body during heavy exercise.

Hyperhidrosis can either be generalized or localized to specific parts of the body. Hands, feet, axillae, and the groin area are among the most active regions of perspiration due to the relatively high concentration of sweat glands; however, any part of body may be affected. Primary hyperhidrosis is found to start during adolescence or even before, and interestingly, seems to be inherited as an autosomal dominant genetic trait.

Primary hyperhidrosis must be distinguished from secondary hyperhidrosis, which can start at any point in life. The latter form may be due to a disorder of the thyroid or pituitary gland, diabetes mellitus, tumors, gout, menopause or certain drugs.

Primary hyperhidrosis is estimated at around 1% of the population, afflicting women more.

Hyperhidrosis can usually be treated, but there is no cure.

Surgery (Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy or ETS): Select sympathetic nerves or nerve ganglia in the chest are either cut or burned (completely destroying their ability to transmit impulses), or clamped (theoretically allowing for the reversal of the procedure). The procedure often causes anhidrosis from the mid-chest upwards, a disturbing condition. Major drawbacks to the procedure include thermoregulatory dysfuction (Goldstien, 2005), lowered fear and alertness (Teleranta, Pohjavaara, et al 2003, 2004) and the overwhelming incidence of compensatory hyperhidrosis. Some people find this sweating to be tolerable while others find the compensatory hyperhidrosis to be worse than the initial condition. It has also been established that there is a low (less than 1%) chance of Horner's syndrome. Other risks common to minimally-invasive chest surgery, though rare, do exist. Patients have also been shown to experience a cardiac sympathetic denervation, which results in a 10% lowered heartbeat during both rest and exercise.

Aluminum chloride (hexahydrate) solution: The most common brands are Drysol�, Maxim�, Odaban�, and Driclor�. Aluminum chloride is used in regular antiperspirants, but hyperhidrosis sufferers need a much higher concentration. A 15% aluminum chloride solution or higher usually takes about a week of nightly use to stop the sweating, with one or two nightly applications per week to maintain the results. An aluminum chloride solution can be very effective; some people, however, cannot tolerate the irritation that it can cause. Also, the solution is usually not effective for palmar (hand) and plantar (foot) hyperhidrosis.

Botulinum toxin type A (trademarked as Botox�): Injections of the botulinum toxin are used to disable the sweat glands. The effects can last from 4-9 months depending on the site of injections. With proper anesthesia the hand and foot injections are almost painless. The procedure when used for underarm sweating has been approved by the U.S. FDA, and now some insurance companies pay partially for the treatments.

Iontophoresis: The affected area is placed in a device that has two pails of water with a conductor in each one. The hand or foot acts like a conductor between the positively- and negatively-charged pails. As the low current passes through the area, the minerals in the water clog the sweat glands, limiting the amount of sweat released. Common brands of tap water iontophoresis devices are the Drionic�, Idrostar and MD-1A (RA Fischer). Some people have seen great results while others see no effect. However, since the device can be painful to some and a great deal of time is required, no cessation of sweating in some people may be the result of not using the device as required. The device is usually used for the hands and feet, but there has been a device created for the axillae (armpit) area and for the stump region of amputees.

Oral medication: There are several drugs available with varying degrees of success. A class of anticholinergic drugs are available that have shown to reduce hyperhidrosis. Ditropan� (generic name: oxybutynin) is one that has been the most promising. For some people, however, the drowsiness and dry-mouth associated with the drug cannot be tolerated. A time release version of the drug is also available, called Ditropan XL�, with purportedly reduced effectiveness. Robinul� (generic name: glycopyrrolate) is another drug used on an off-label basis. The drug seems to be almost as effective as oxybutynin, with similar side-effects such as a dry mouth or dry throat often leading to pain in these areas. Other less effective anticholinergic agents that have been tried include propantheline bromide (Probanthine�) and benztropine (Cogentin�). A different class of drugs known as beta-blockers has also been tried, but does not seem to be nearly as effective.

Weight-Loss: Hyperhidrosis can be aggravated by obesity, so weight-loss can help. However, most people with hyperhidrosis do not sweat excessively due to obesity.

Relaxation and meditation: Relaxation techniques have been tried with limited success.

Hypnosis: Hypnosis has been used with limited success.
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Replies

  • amberpitz
    amberpitz Posts: 103 Member
    So maybe more rare than I thought..lol. No one?
  • amberpitz
    amberpitz Posts: 103 Member
    Im just commenting to refresh this since it gets totally lost in the feeds. Just hoping someones eye catches it who knows about this problem and wants to reply
  • amberpitz
    amberpitz Posts: 103 Member
    Im just commenting to refresh this since it gets totally lost in the feeds. Just hoping someones eye catches it who knows about this problem and wants to reply
  • My stepdaughter has this condition but Im sorry I know very little about it. She has it in the armpit area and has Botox Injections at the Hospital to control it. It is quite rare then?
    I just wanted to reply and say if you ever need support or to chat then add me xx
  • LoveAlwaysAlisa
    LoveAlwaysAlisa Posts: 111 Member
    I've never been diagnosed with it but I do suffer from excessive sweating...especially under my arms, which is hard to cover up. It started for me in the 7th grade and was really embarrassing for me throughout highschool. I discovered Certain Dri, which is available over the counter and works really well for me...much better than the degree or clinical strength secret. Put it on at night and after a few days it got my sweating under control. I now use every other night and I barely ever sweat under my arms now as long as I keep up the schedule of using it. I never tried botox because the Certain Dri works so well for me...
  • HisangelG
    HisangelG Posts: 96 Member
    I have the exact opposite problem. I don't sweat at all. Not even in the hottest, humid weather. Means I have to really work to stay hydrated as I don't notice it like I would if I sweated.
  • scorpiotwinkles
    scorpiotwinkles Posts: 215 Member
    I have it. But only my head. My mum has it too. So it is hereditary. I have lost my weight during the last year, and now am noticing that I do sweat less, but during workout I drip down my neck and soak my shirt, I have to wear a headband to stop my eyes getting full of sweat too. I used to think it was because I was so overweight and that probably didn't help. But I would over sweat for no particular reason, and it would make my hair wet and I would be very embarrassed.

    As my significant weight loss happened during winter I am not sure how much benefit it has had until the UK warms up! I developed it in my twenties and just thought it was the weight until I researched it a bit. I guess I am lucky not to have a more serious version like you and I don't have any advice for you unfortunately, just to let you know someone else out there sort of understands your problem.

    My mum gets stressed about it which I think makes it worse, although she recently had an operation (not connected to this) where they had to go through the neck and since then she only gets the sweating on one side of her head! So I guess they hit a nerve or something which stopped it on that side. I don't get stressed about it I try to mop it with a hanky or small face flannel but hope that this year with the weightloss it will be less severe.
  • sabimausl85
    sabimausl85 Posts: 219 Member
    my cousin has it. she has it on the hands and feet. she seems to get bigger and bigger every time i see her. but idk about her eating habits.
  • benflando
    benflando Posts: 193
    Hey friend I'm on the same boat as you. I've had it for a long time, probably since age 13. It's really tough to deal with and it took me a while to get use to and be comfortable.
    Recently I had 50 shots of botox in each hand which hurt pretty bad and I'm not very wimpy. It helped dramatically and was amazing. It lasts for about 6 months and was well worth it.
    Thats the only advice I can give and I had a pretty dramatic case of it.
    For my armpits, I use a product called HyperCare and it was prescribed by a dermatologist and completely got rid of that sweating.
    Both of my cases were severe and were not caused by anxiety or nervousness, just genetic makeup. It usually runs in the family through your fathers side.
  • amberpitz
    amberpitz Posts: 103 Member
    Thank you all for your replies..I am going to go through and get back with each of you! :) Just woke up to start my day!
  • amberpitz
    amberpitz Posts: 103 Member
    My stepdaughter has this condition but Im sorry I know very little about it. She has it in the armpit area and has Botox Injections at the Hospital to control it. It is quite rare then?
    I just wanted to reply and say if you ever need support or to chat then add me xx
    I guess it is rare. It says 1%-5% have it. It really affects self esteem so she may need help through it. How much does Botox injections cost..is it per one? I will send you an invite. Thank You :) I am so excited to find others who have seen it or had it.
  • amberpitz
    amberpitz Posts: 103 Member
    I've never been diagnosed with it but I do suffer from excessive sweating...especially under my arms, which is hard to cover up. It started for me in the 7th grade and was really embarrassing for me throughout highschool. I discovered Certain Dri, which is available over the counter and works really well for me...much better than the degree or clinical strength secret. Put it on at night and after a few days it got my sweating under control. I now use every other night and I barely ever sweat under my arms now as long as I keep up the schedule of using it. I never tried botox because the Certain Dri works so well for me...
    I know about embarrassment..especially thoughout school. I have full body HH so I am affected everywhere. They should make a full body deoderant..lol
  • amberpitz
    amberpitz Posts: 103 Member
    I have the exact opposite problem. I don't sweat at all. Not even in the hottest, humid weather. Means I have to really work to stay hydrated as I don't notice it like I would if I sweated.
    I have never heard of that. Thats interesting to find out.I have to work hard at staying hydrated as well but just because of the loss of fluids from all the sweating. Do you find you overheat?
  • amberpitz
    amberpitz Posts: 103 Member
    I have it. But only my head. My mum has it too. So it is hereditary. I have lost my weight during the last year, and now am noticing that I do sweat less, but during workout I drip down my neck and soak my shirt, I have to wear a headband to stop my eyes getting full of sweat too. I used to think it was because I was so overweight and that probably didn't help. But I would over sweat for no particular reason, and it would make my hair wet and I would be very embarrassed.

    As my significant weight loss happened during winter I am not sure how much benefit it has had until the UK warms up! I developed it in my twenties and just thought it was the weight until I researched it a bit. I guess I am lucky not to have a more serious version like you and I don't have any advice for you unfortunately, just to let you know someone else out there sort of understands your problem.

    My mum gets stressed about it which I think makes it worse, although she recently had an operation (not connected to this) where they had to go through the neck and since then she only gets the sweating on one side of her head! So I guess they hit a nerve or something which stopped it on that side. I don't get stressed about it I try to mop it with a hanky or small face flannel but hope that this year with the weightloss it will be less severe.
    I dont know how many times I have sweat into my eyes..lol When I excersize it is like I just got out of the shower..hair drenched along with everything else. Anxiety over it does cause more sweating. I also sweat a bit more on one side of my body..strange.
    I hope the weight loss helped for you..You will soon find out :) I am hoping mine will slow with changes. I know some food affects me and starts the sweating
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    I know a lady who got it just before she entered menopause, so I guess it was secondary. Once she got her hormones settled down, she was okay though. Wonder if there is some connection to hormones in primary cases as those who get it seem to get it around the time of puberty?
  • amberpitz
    amberpitz Posts: 103 Member
    my cousin has it. she has it on the hands and feet. she seems to get bigger and bigger every time i see her. but idk about her eating habits.
    She may be emotionally eating from depression..This really affects self esteem and makes normal everyday things embarassing at times
  • amberpitz
    amberpitz Posts: 103 Member
    Hey friend I'm on the same boat as you. I've had it for a long time, probably since age 13. It's really tough to deal with and it took me a while to get use to and be comfortable.
    Recently I had 50 shots of botox in each hand which hurt pretty bad and I'm not very wimpy. It helped dramatically and was amazing. It lasts for about 6 months and was well worth it.
    Thats the only advice I can give and I had a pretty dramatic case of it.
    For my armpits, I use a product called HyperCare and it was prescribed by a dermatologist and completely got rid of that sweating.
    Both of my cases were severe and were not caused by anxiety or nervousness, just genetic makeup. It usually runs in the family through your fathers side.
    How long does it hurt after the shots in the hands? Thats a crazy amount of shots. Do you continue to get the botox?
  • daterminedfatburnerX
    daterminedfatburnerX Posts: 346 Member
    I have it on my hands..there sweating as I write this haha
    I wonder if you can get botox injections on your hands
    Someone once told me if you pee on the sweaty spots then it will go away
    But no way am I trying that.
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    I have the exact opposite problem. I don't sweat at all. Not even in the hottest, humid weather. Means I have to really work to stay hydrated as I don't notice it like I would if I sweated.
    I have never heard of that. Thats interesting to find out.I have to work hard at staying hydrated as well but just because of the loss of fluids from all the sweating. Do you find you overheat?

    I have the same thing---have never "worked up a sweat" in my life. I always figured it had something to do with being hypothyroid (which I am). I overheat badly--have all my life. Once, when I was a kid, on a hike at Girl Scout camp, during very hot weather, I passed right out. I told my scout leader that I didn't feel well and she observed that I was totally red all over my body but said I should keep going anyway. About a minute later, I passed right out--I'm lucky I didn't suffer severe heat stroke--which can be lethal. The other girls poured their canteens of water on me which is the correct treatment for heat stroke. I've always been very careful since. The only exercise that I tolerate well is in the water.
  • amberpitz
    amberpitz Posts: 103 Member
    I know a lady who got it just before she entered menopause, so I guess it was secondary. Once she got her hormones settled down, she was okay though. Wonder if there is some connection to hormones in primary cases as those who get it seem to get it around the time of puberty?
    I am not sure. I have had mine all my life. Clammy hands and feet started as a baby.
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    Hey friend I'm on the same boat as you. I've had it for a long time, probably since age 13. It's really tough to deal with and it took me a while to get use to and be comfortable.
    Recently I had 50 shots of botox in each hand which hurt pretty bad and I'm not very wimpy. It helped dramatically and was amazing. It lasts for about 6 months and was well worth it.
    Thats the only advice I can give and I had a pretty dramatic case of it.
    For my armpits, I use a product called HyperCare and it was prescribed by a dermatologist and completely got rid of that sweating.
    Both of my cases were severe and were not caused by anxiety or nervousness, just genetic makeup. It usually runs in the family through your fathers side.
    How long does it hurt after the shots in the hands? Thats a crazy amount of shots. Do you continue to get the botox?

    Have you tried acupuncture?
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    I don't know if I have that, but I sweat like crazy, mainly my head and neck area. When I'm on a treadmill at the gym, I have to have a towel with me or I give the people next to me a shower. Sweat literally flies off me. I just wipe it every 5 minutes with a soft towel I bring with me. I also have rosacea, so when I work out, I look like I'm dying. <sigh>
    Add hotflashes to the above and I reallyyy look like I'm on the verge of death.
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    Both my daughters had it from about 15yrs old to 18 yrs old. It caused them a great deal of embarassment and anxiety. But at around 19 it seemed to become less of a problem.
  • MercenaryNoetic26
    MercenaryNoetic26 Posts: 2,747 Member
    I have it. I don't think this is something people generally want to admit to. I don't care. I pretend I dont have it so it doesn't really hinder me. There are moments though where it just occurs for no reason and moments when it's nonexistent.
  • amberpitz
    amberpitz Posts: 103 Member
    I have it on my hands..there sweating as I write this haha
    I wonder if you can get botox injections on your hands
    Someone once told me if you pee on the sweaty spots then it will go away
    But no way am I trying that.
    LOL Please never pee on yourself..I dont know who told you that but they were either mean spirited or crazy...lol
    I dont know if the botox would help me or not..mine is pretty exsessive and my whole body is affected. I know about the keyboard..think at times I might ruin it...try to keep things dry but its crazy sometimes
  • LeslieN65
    LeslieN65 Posts: 127 Member
    I worked in dermatology for many years and we used to inject botox in axilla, hands, feet, and forehead for sweating too. There are pills, lotions, roll on and surgical treatments...get a good derm....one that focuses on skin health and not on cosmetics...then get some help! Makes life easier if you can raise your arms, not wear 2 or 3 shirts at a time, shake hands, ect... Good luck to you!!
  • amberpitz
    amberpitz Posts: 103 Member
    Hey friend I'm on the same boat as you. I've had it for a long time, probably since age 13. It's really tough to deal with and it took me a while to get use to and be comfortable.
    Recently I had 50 shots of botox in each hand which hurt pretty bad and I'm not very wimpy. It helped dramatically and was amazing. It lasts for about 6 months and was well worth it.
    Thats the only advice I can give and I had a pretty dramatic case of it.
    For my armpits, I use a product called HyperCare and it was prescribed by a dermatologist and completely got rid of that sweating.
    Both of my cases were severe and were not caused by anxiety or nervousness, just genetic makeup. It usually runs in the family through your fathers side.
    How long does it hurt after the shots in the hands? Thats a crazy amount of shots. Do you continue to get the botox?

    Have you tried acupuncture?
    No...never thought about it. Who would know about acupuncture for HH? Do you have any info that you could share?
  • amberpitz
    amberpitz Posts: 103 Member
    I have the exact opposite problem. I don't sweat at all. Not even in the hottest, humid weather. Means I have to really work to stay hydrated as I don't notice it like I would if I sweated.
    I have never heard of that. Thats interesting to find out.I have to work hard at staying hydrated as well but just because of the loss of fluids from all the sweating. Do you find you overheat?

    I have the same thing---have never "worked up a sweat" in my life. I always figured it had something to do with being hypothyroid (which I am). I overheat badly--have all my life. Once, when I was a kid, on a hike at Girl Scout camp, during very hot weather, I passed right out. I told my scout leader that I didn't feel well and she observed that I was totally red all over my body but said I should keep going anyway. About a minute later, I passed right out--I'm lucky I didn't suffer severe heat stroke--which can be lethal. The other girls poured their canteens of water on me which is the correct treatment for heat stroke. I've always been very careful since. The only exercise that I tolerate well is in the water.
    I think that condition would be hard to live with as well. Also much more dangerous sounding. I have thought I was going to have heat stroke a few times in my life. I dont tolerate the heat well since I feel hot most of the time.
  • coke_bottle
    coke_bottle Posts: 259 Member
    Girl i think i might have that!!!
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