Summer sweat tips from the International Hyperhidrosis society. For foot sweat, I tried Summer Soles, and it seems to help a lot. I still haven't graduated to wearing sandals to work. Today it was 95 degrees out and I wore thick socks. According to the IHS article, temperatures inside socks and shoes can reach up to 120 degrees in the summer. I can believe it!


Summersoles web site -- http://www.summersoles.com/

Please send some your best wishes to M., a very thoughtful and intelligent teenager who wrote to me about her axillary hyperhidrosis.

She had four questions:

1) does sage help reduce HH?
2) "Have you ever heard of caldacin powder? Someone posted it in Yahoo Answers as a solution for sweaty armpits but it sounds too good to be true. Apparently if you cover your hand in that powder and dip it in water, it comes out dry. But you can't find it on wikipedia or any search engine."

3) And have you ever heard of 'Stop Sweating and Start Living", which is some ebook with tips on how you can stop axillary hyperhidrosis with some kind of natural herb (I'm thinking sage, maybe?). BUt it costs 30 dollars, so it might be a scam...

4) Do you know if there is any kind of blog like yours for axillary hyperhidrosis? I urgently need someone with AH to talk to.

Wish I knew the answers but I don't...can anyone help?

Medical industry pushes most profitable hyperhidrosis treatments

If deodarant doesn't stop the excess sweat on your hands, feet, or under your arms, then your next best option is iontophoresis. It's a non-invasive, highly effective treatment with an initial investment of approximately $500 and a few doctors office visits to learn how to give yourself treatments with the Fischer Galvanic unit.

Yet, has anyone had any luck finding a dermatologist who will give you iontophoresis treatment and training? You can find dozens of doctors who will inject expensive Botox into your hands and feet, and welcome you back every few months for follow-up injections. This could cost you a few thousand every year. If you were a doctor looking to make money, it's a no-brainer to offer Botox rather than iontophoresis. Huge profit margin and guaranteed repeat business.

I think the International Hyperhidrosis Society is doing great work, but I wish they would encourage more doctors to offer iontophoresis treatment, or publish a directory of doctors who do. Because I have yet to find one in my large city.

"The Secret" may not be Secret deodarant

Interesting discussion on the cool blog notmartha.com about Secret Clinical Strength deodorant.

Antihydral for palmar and plantar HH

Blogger Windy writes about using antihydral for her sweaty hands and feet. I know nothing about antihydral, just passing on the info because she writes it has been helpful.

Dating advice for teens with hyperhidrosis

Hey, how's everyone doing?

I got a wonderful note from a 16 year old girl who has hyperhidrosis. To her credit, she doesn't let the HH hold her back from being social and outgoing. What is especially great is that she is involved with theater, which I would have NEVER tried at that age, though I think I would have enjoyed it.

As is the case for any normal 16-year-old (and, really, most of the human race), dating is one area that causes her some anxiety. She wrote "Sweaty Palm Diaries" to ask for dating advice -- for example, when he wants to hold hands and yours is sweaty, what do you do?

Great question...here's her story. I'll post my response to her, and since I'm no dating guru, please feel free to chime in with any other suggestions you might have.

-----------------
Dear Tiara,
I am a 16 year old girl that deals with a major case of hyperidrosis. Even though i have HH, i still am considered a very outgoing and social person. I'm not very shy or nervous around others, that is until they try to give me a high five, or shake my hand, or touch my hand. Thats when i get weird and hide. I just shake me head no and pull my hand away under my sweatshirt that i always carry around with me. I do this so i can hide my hands under it. Usually, my hands are bright red and swollen from the hyperhidrosis, so it makes it even easier to tell i have it. Its hard to write in class because i dont want people to see my hands, and when i write, i leave my paper wet and gross.

It is very embarassing to guys that i like. I've had some boyfriends, but none that were very serious. I've never actually held hands with a boy before. And when we kiss or go on a date, i hide my hands in my hoodie.. which is awkward. I've tried using medication like Drysol, but its called something else. I've been using it for a year and it doesn't really work, but it helps a little. All my friend's know about my problem, so they help by not making fun or pointing it out.

its just very embarassing and i really want to get surgery, but im scared of the side effects, and i don't think i will be able to because of my parents.

also, i was wondering if you had any advice with guys? Such as, how do you tell them why you can't hold their hand? or how to be NORMAL around them without worrying about your hands? and do you ever "grow out" of it? or do you have for your whole life? i hope not.

Well, im glad you have this site to help us teenagers who suffer from HH.

From Pete: "I may joke around ... but I'm really in pain."

Thanks, Pete, for sharing your story. He is thinking about getting Botox treatments, but at $1,200 every six months, it's really a blow to the wallet -- and for many people, simply not within their means. But the cost of not treating the HH is even higher.

Now my rant: Why are dermatologists not offering iontophoresis, a non-invasive highly effective treatment option when used correctly and with the right equipment? Kudos to the International Hyperhidrosis Society for offering a $25 discount on R.A. Fischer iontophoresis units. You must have a prescription from your doctor, however.

--------------------------

Now, Pete's story:
I dont know where to start. Since 13 I have had hyperhidrosis on the palms. In social situations, you can shake my hand and get drenched. I wore a T-Shirt the other day that said "Bring Soap" on one side. The other side said "FREE SHOWERS". I amused myself in many ways but I try many ways to escape social situations by avoiding meeting people, going to parties and get-togethers. I will only go when I can't help it. The worst is that I'm in sales and run my own business. I'm always wiping my hands. I like meeting people outside when it's cold because palm sweat is less but meetings are held outside, I wish they were.

I may joke around writing this but I'm really in pain, hurt and sadness. I feel like I'm closing up to the world.

Share your story fellow skillful sweaters!

The best cure for hyperhidrosis-related social anxiety is talking about it--sharing your story with others, hearing their stories, disclosing your feelings about the condition to family and friends. Post your story here and let's start talking!

Social anxiety: One day at a time

Let's face it. If you have hyperhidrosis, you probably have social anxiety. I do. Probably it's a mild to moderate case. The anxiety doesn't completely hold me back from enjoying life, but I think I would enjoy life more if I wasn't so anxious about receiving attention from others.

Psychology Today has a great article on how to deal with social anxiety.

Here is an article about meditation for stress reduction.

Has anyone tried these techniques? Share your findings!

Yea! More people are blogging about hyperhidrosis:

• A young woman in the UK blogs about having ETS surgery: http://hyperhydrosisinfo.blogspot.com/
• The hyperhidrosis blog -- A fairly new blog written by someone who has HH: http://hyperhidrosis.wordpress.com/tag/hyperhidrosis-remedies/

Check them out and let us know what you think! And let me know what you would find most useful in my blog.

Love,
Tiara