VerySweatyBetty.com

Forum link

How Compensatory Sweating works:

The current train of thought is that our own inbuilt thermometer is faulty. This is called the Hypothalamus and it’s tucked away in the brain. This is what causes us to overheat. When the body’s temperature rises by 4 degrees C, we become disorientated and confused. By the time we reach 7 degrees C, we’d be dead. Because the body is such an amazing feat of natural engineering, we have an inbuilt sprinkler system to prevent us from overheating and to keep us alive. This is where the sweating comes from. When you block off any area of sweating, that’s all you’re doing. You’re not cooling yourself down. As you’re still hot, you’ll still be sweating until you cool down, it’s just that the sweat will appear in other areas and it’ll take longer to cool down as your sweating is limited. Blocking sweat is not the best way of dealing with it, although we all need to block in the odd area or two – ie underarms etc. It’s always a far better idea to soak up and disguise sweat than to block it.

CS as a result of ETS and Generalised Hyperhidrosis:

The main places ETS people suffer is down their back, torso, groin and legs. I would suggest products like laulas undershirts and polo shirts, www.sweat-help.com and Wrapps www.coolwrapps.com. Both of these products will deal with soaking up sweat by clever use of fabrics. I use both products and they certainly make life easier for me. Wrapps are also increasingly used by sportsmen and women, musicians etc as well as HH sufferers.

Please feel free to visit the site and dive into the forum conversations – or even just keep an eye out for competitions (we get to give away lots of free products) and hints and tips on disguising and dealing with your sweating.

Thank you for your blog Lisa! It sounds very familiar to me, with friends like that, who needs enemies? **big hugs**

Me and my annoying friend hyperhidrosis i cant get rid of.

I wake up suddenly with my hair stuck to my face and my pj’s clinging to my body, I throw the duvet off and jump out of my sweaty bed. Glancing at the temperature I see 12 degrees today in my house…..yet it still feels like 30 degrees as i’m burning up. Grab a cold drink, sit down and calm myself down.

Time to get ready for the day….highs of 15 degrees today. White t-shirt, jeans and thin black cardi. I fling the bathroom window wide open, feeling the cold air on my face whilst brushing my teeth. Start applying my make up, I’m tempted to turn my mini fan on but I battle through this morning. Scrape my hair back and clip the loose hair back. I wish I could straighten my hair but this friend of mine doesn’t let me straighten it and if he does within 10 minutes of walking out the door he has made it a curly wet mess.

Grab my bag, and pull my coat on…..attempting to look normal and avoid catching a cold. I’m running late for my doctors appointment, a 10 minute brisk walk and i’m there. Now I could be wrong but I’m sure I have walked into a sauna…..I quickly strip down to my t-shirt and push open a window. Only to get moaned at by an old lady complaining its cold with the window open. I want to scream at her, she’s sitting there in her coat rosy cheeked, I’m sitting there in a t-shirt sweat pouring everywhere. I stumble into the doctors room and get through my appointment in a soggy mess. I can’t bare to put my coat on so walk come without it on.

Strip down for 10 minutes before I need to leave for my follow up dermatologists appointment. Surprise surprise Im sure the doctor made them turn the heating off and open all the windows so its cold in the waiting room. I get called in, instructed to strip and told Im not sweating. Plucking up the courage to tell her to shove her hand in my undies when a male nurse flies in and I back out. My pills didn’t work. Her response? It’s only sweating you are just going to have to live with it. Oh how much I wished something like freaky Friday would have happened right then!!

I head into town finding it unbearable. I find it ironic that the shops turn their heating on to encourage custom. Any hot shops don’t get my custom I walk straight out.

Get the phone call about my car. It’s not worth fixing…..the sweat pours just thinking of the stressful few days to follow. Arrive at the garage to pay the man just in a t-shirt, he comments about how I must be freezing. I brush it off and get out of there as quick as I can.

Finally home, I chuck on some joggers and a vest. Time to start on dinner. Fling the kitchen windows wide open, prepare my kitchen towel to dab my face and crack on. Eventually get though cooking.

Bath time, my favourite part of the day. I let the cold water run into the bath 5 minutes before i get out. Sit down in my towel drying off and get into my pyjamas.

Bed time with half my body outside of the duvet and half my body under the duvet I finally get to sleep. Another day over in what seems like a hell hole.

My name is Lisa and I’m a generalized sweater, my friend hyperhidrosis insists on introducing himself first every day.

Hello all,

I thought I would approach this subject as most of us seem to be complaining about what to wear, what if I sweat.  We all have the, “What If’s?”
I know I am, and as time is getting closer to Thanksgiving, Christmas office parties, dinners, dances, Ball’s, schools plays, shopping we all tend to suffer from pre-festivity panic.

We tend to panic and make ourselves worse than what we began.  If we just looked at this simply we could erase a lot of our, “What If’s”
If you are like me and my life has been so busy this year has flown and were here again!  I am currently getting ready to move and I have a big ball approaching.  I have tried to get out of it but looks like I am going to have to attend.  I have been listening to the other wife’s and their excitement on dresses and hair do’s and such and I wish or I pray I could also get as excited as them and wear the lovely clothing.  But in reality I can’t!

I have thought about going back on my oral medication for a few weeks but I am still battling a sinus infection and will probably not help matters right now.

Can you join me in making a list on what we should do and what we should not do?  Here are some of my sugestions.
If daytime office lunch, dress in layers and battle your way like a rugby player, American Football player, to get that seat next to the window, and as the lunch begins and you feel your sweating arrive, take off your layers, ask to open up the window and if your a woman blame it on a hot flash…yes we do have an advantage on that one, sorry Gentlemen.

If an office party, again dress in layers and make believe your an onion and peal them off, also if windows available use them or take in a power hand fan or use a folder to cool you down lol..I’m beginning to smile here now as have been there done all the above and will carry on.

Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner..one of the worst as so much preping and cooking can make for a hot hell hole before it even begins, If you can make sure someone else cooks or go out..laughing hard now! 

OK, if you are cooking then do what I always do, buy a already cooked turkey and prepare most of your sides and deserts the day and evening before, takes off so much stress and you can sweat all over everything and they will never know, with 5 fans blowing on you from every angle, kidding about the dripping in food sweat…tee-hee!

Dressing for the occasion can be the hardest of them all and the daunting task we all fear….What am I going to wear that wont show my sweating, wishing you could just crawl into a dark hole and remain there.  I would advise a very light material or dinner jacket, nothing that is going to cling to the body or create more heat. 

I swear by dark clothing, hides a multitude of sins, including sweating..ha!  I love black and silver as they look so good together, a bit of bling and you can’t go wrong.  What I have found helps also is wear some glimmer lotion as if the sweat does arrive you can’t really see it, or as my girls like to call it, Fairy dust

For our hand sweaters, I encourage a cold or half frozen water bottle always remain in your hands and you can use the frozen water melting as your excuse.  Also have a face cloth hidden in a pocket or purse.  For head sweaters also, go to the bathroom and mop down! 

For the ones whom like to have a few drinks, like me, I always have two beers before as this will trigger my sweating and once my body has had the initial shock of alcohol it will not be bad as first arriving and having a drink!!!  I tend to go bright red in the chest, neck and face…I wear a shawl and large jewelry to try to hide this.

So my dear friends, members, fellow sweaters, brother and sisters, I encourage you to add your little secrets on what you do to keep the sweat at bay.

Will you be on the naughty or nice list this year?  Hee hee…you can use your imagination and help others achieve less sweat this SEASON.
Hugs,

Anne x

Forum link

Meeting someone new is always a big thing, no matter who you are. Sometimes, even meeting people you already know can be nothing short of a nightmare, especially if you suffer with Hyperhidrosis. In fact, when you have an embarrassing illness, the stress involved in meeting anyone new for the first time can be enough to put you right off. I don’t have to point out that meeting a new potential partner is one of the biggest things you’ll ever do, this could be the person you spend the rest of your life with.

This subject has come up a few times lately. It seems love is quite possibly in the air! Some of our members have recently mentioned a potential new romance on the horizon. I think it’s probably got something to do with the cooler weather, it seems to go a long way to make us feel better about ourselves. Summer is incredibly stressful and we pretty much live to get through it as intact as we possibly can. It’s always a huge relief when September arrives, we know there’s around six months before we start hotting up again.

With all that pressure on you, one of the first things that will go through your mind (especially in the warmer weather) is your Hyperhidrosis. Will you sweat when you’re on a date? When should you tell the other person? What would you tell the other person? How will they deal with it?

Well, I can’t really answer the final question because the truth is, it’s not for everyone. The chances are that you probably have an 90/10 chance they will be fine with it. Most people won’t have a problem with it. Before my HH kicked in really badly, it used to come and go. When it went, I’d not give it a second thought. During one of the ‘dry’ times, for a few weeks/months I had a boyfriend who suffered with it. We’d hold hands, I’d wipe mine down my jeans when we stopped holding hands. It didn’t occur to me to mind. I vaguely remember ‘the conversation’ we had about it, I’m sure it went something like “why are you hands always wet?”. Him: shrugged “I dunno”. Me: “oh”. And that was that. There are some who can’t deal with it, but that’s life, it’s nobody’s fault. We need to see it for what it is, honesty. It’s one of those ‘take it on the chin’ things. Chances are, with those odds, you may not even have to deal with a moment like that. Even if you do, you’re not alone. But, when do you mention it, and how?

Timewise, there are two ways of doing this. You can either be up front and lay your cards on the table. The advantages are that if the person does have a problem with it, you can walk away from the person without having spent the time fretting about how they’d take it – and maybe even getting to like them. The only real disadvantage is that at this point in your relationship, they don’t know you. This would immediately put you at a disadvantage and maybe even give the sweating a chance to dictate the outcome rather than you being in control. The person might get the impression that it’s a big thing in your life – and if they think you see it as a problem, then you’re taking the chance that they will, too.

The other option is to take it as it comes. I call this the ‘mermaid/merman’ technique. You can call it what you like, but if someone asks you why you have wet hair or wet hands, it helps me to give it a ‘nice’ name. Just the word ‘Hyperhidrosis’ sounds depressing to me. Replying with “Oh, that! I’m a mermaid!” sounds more confident and less like I have a problem – and doesn’t bring the mood down. There’s only so much you need to tell anyone and it’s just another ice-breaker. Only say what you’re comfortable with.

I’ve tried both ways and I’m more comfortable with the this technique. The advantages are – you’ve come to like each other and they might see past the sweating side of things a little easier because they have had a bit of time to get to know you. You’re also not imparting that it’s a disproportionate issue for you. Even if it feels it sometimes is, things do change. There are new products coming on the market on an almost weekly basis. Scientists are currently looking into isolating the faulty gene that causes this – once they’ve done that, chances are it’s a matter of time before they can work out an effective treatment or maybe even a cure. You can’t rely on a cure though, you still need to be realistic. It would be an amazing bonus if it happens.

As for when the time is right, well, that’s completely down to you. You’ll have got to know the person a bit better by this time, even if it is only three or four dates in, you’ll know you like each other by now, so it’s just a case of picking your moment. Waiting for the topic to come up naturally can often be the best way. It will tell them that you have the confidence to deal with it and you don’t let it dictate to you. Obviously as time goes on, they’ll get to know how it really is for you. Whatever you do, do it with confidence. You know what they (I always wonder who ‘they’ are) the more confident you pretend to be, the more confident you’ll feel. That is one of the biggest attractions we could offer a potential new partner. You are you, your HH is just ‘something that happens’ to you that you have little control over. Don’t let it sabotage the good stuff.

Right.  This is a particular bugbear for me.  Because I sweat from my scalp to my toes, it’s a battle trying to find products that don’t slide off when I get a sweat on, and lots of other nuances.

What products have you found that work with you rather than against you?  Do you have a beauty regime that works?  If so, please share it with the rest of us because we all need help on the best products and methods of use!  The challenge is, the cheaper the better!  If there’s one thing that us lot have an abundance of, it’s tried and dumped-in-the-cupboard products that have set us back a lot of money!

My product agony…
I’ll start on my scalp!  Because my scalp rarely dries for three or four months in the Summer, it gets particularly flaky.  I’ve tried every type of shampoo you can think of and 99% of them make my scalp sore, extra flaky and brings me out in blisters/dermatitis.  I’m currently using DHC Scalp Moisturising shampoo, I’m dreading the day it stops working for me, or they discontinue it.  I have no idea what I’ll do then.  Hair styling products often only help make me hotter and sweat more as it’s just another layer between my skin and the air.
Face.  Moisturisers often make matters worse.  Some of them sit on your skin rather than absorb fully.  The worst ones are the thick creamy ones, not only do they slide off and stop the air getting to your skin, they mix with the sweat and get slimy.  Many times I’ve started sweating heavily and put my hand up to wipe my face and been covered in slimy moisturising cream.  Lotions are slightly better but these days I tend to stick to using a serum at night and moisturise with a drop of oil morning and night time.  Jojoba oil is good, extra virgin olive oil etc.  You can also clean your face with these oils, mad as it sounds.  Because our skin loses it’s valuable oils where we sweat and wipe so much, oil is probably the best thing to clean it with.  Always use an astringent – I use witch hazel and tea tree oil (I mix them myself, so much cheaper) which helps to minimise pores and therefore the sweating.
Underarms – again I find I sweat off antiperspirants and deodorants.  The best way of making sure they stick to the skin is making sure you’re thoroughly dry and even use a little talc to make sure there’s no little damp patches before applying the product.  I find sticks work best for me as they don’t need time to dry.
Body.  There’s no way on this planet I can ever use a body lotion or butter ever again.  I’ve tried everything.  The time I used aqueous cream was by far the worst.  I showered and slapped it on in the morning and by the time I’d walked to work, my clothes were soaked through (the cream made me hotter and sweat more) and stained and sticky.  I didn’t stop sweating.  It was a nightmare.  I ended up going home with a migraine because I’d fretted so badly.  I cried all the way home, showered and slept the rest of the day away.  Now I use oil, same as on my face.  I can’t use baby oil because it’s so thick but jojoba or ev olive oil is fine.  The dry oil body sprays are great too.
Feet.  I use nothing on the soles of my feet, unless I’m putting heel cream on at bedtime.  My heels are badly cracked so I use the Avon pedi-wipes and then just slap on cracked heel balm.  I rub it in all over my feet because I know I’ll be getting a shower in the morning.  Do be careful if you’re a fellow wearer of Crocs, Crocs and just moisturised slippy feet aren’t the best combination!

Sun, Sea….and Sweat!

Forum link

Most of us can’t wait for summer to arrive, but for many, the rising temperatures exacerbate an embarrassing problem.

39% of the UK population perspire weekly to an extent that it’s of discomfort to them.* And with sweat stains rated ‘most embarrassing personal problem’ in a study by Perspirex, it’s no wonder sufferers go to extreme lengths to cover up their problem.

Perspirex

Top 5 Most Embarrassing Personal Problems

1. Sweat stains

2. Bad acne

3. Dandruff

4. Overweight

5. Cold sores

Thank goodness Perspirex is on hand to provide best-in-class protection from sweat and odour. Its patented clinically proven formula reduces sweat by up to 65% – this is 3 x as effective as ordinary antiperspirants!

Simple to use, one application will work for up to 5 days and its perfume-free, non-staining formulation is gentler on the skin than other aluminium chloride-based products.

What’s more, Perspirex are so confident about their product, that they have just launched a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Either you are 100% satisfied or you can get your money back!

Usage: Use once to twice weekly on-going or before special/stressful occasions.

Perspirex 25ml costs £7.69 and is available from leading supermarkets and chemists nationwide.

The patented clinically proven formula of Perspirex demonstrates 65% sweat reduction for at least 72 hours after each application. Tests performed by the institute Dr. Schrader International GmbH, Germany.

Internationally recognised classification for antiperspirants (the American FDA) states that for a product to be categorised as an ‘antiperspirant’, it must achieve a 20% sweat reduction.

If an antiperspirant demonstrates a 30% sweat reduction it may be classified as ‘Extra effective’.

*Perspirex Sweat Study – conducted online by MyResearch on behalf of Riemann & Co among 2,043 persons aged 15-60 years.

How does it work?

Caused by hyperactivity in sweat glands, excessive perspiration can be experienced by anyone, at any time. Perspirex works so effectively thanks to its alcohol-based, aluminium chloride and lactate solution. This reacts with the water in the sweat gland to form a temporary plug to halt sweat production. Unlike water-based antiperspirants that quickly cease to be effective, the Perspirex formulation keeps on working until the plug is naturally dispelled over the course of a few days with the natural shedding of dead skin cells.

Do you want the chance to try Perspirex absolutely free?

Very Sweaty Betty have teamed up with Perspirex and have ten full sized packs to give away free!

Here’s how you can win your Perspirex:

Send an email to perspirex@verysweatybetty.com and enter ‘giveaway’ in the subject line.

You must include your VSB forum name in the body of the email.

You can enter as many times as you like!

Successful applicants will be chosen at random and notified accordingly.  This giveaway is valid until 31st July 2011.

Good luck to all who enter this competition!

Please be aware this promotional giveaway is only valid if you live in the UK.

This was written by a friend who suffers from Hyperhidrosis and posted this on our forum for all to see.  Knowell has his own site and writes blogs about living with this condition.
We thank you for letting us share this great story.

Early last week, one of my Indian office mate (Abdulhamid) received a warning letter from our HR that he was untidy and smelly, and threatened to apply salary deduction. While sobbing, he showed the letter to me and mentioned that ‘this is your payoff for all the good things you tried to share and exerted to this company’. With caution I asked him if that was true. He directly told me that he cannot avoid it because he has a sweating problem. Gosh.. only then I knew that somebody right there from our office share the same sweating problem like me!..

Immediately I told to Abdulhamid not to lose his composure; and assured him that I myself will assist in solving this issue. It’s really a long time I tried to bypass my office mates’ negative comments about this condition. Now this is such a relief for me to validate acceptance of our situation.

I wrote a separate e-mail addressed to our Administration and HR manager that they are wrong in labeling Abdulhamid as ‘untidy’. Aside from telling them that their accusation has nothing to do with his work performance, I told them that he did not choose to experience being untidy; in fact he cannot avoid being untidy because of his sweating problem. I told them that he has body and axillary hyperhidrosis, while I have palmo-plantar hyperhidrosis.. Finally i emphasized to them that they have no idea how we suffered trying to adjust with this condition.

After that, I informed to Abdulhamid what I did. I waited if the HR will call us for further reprimand but interestingly, the week almost passed and we never heard anything from them. I asked Abdulhamid for anything and said he never heard anything also, neither the HR opened the topic again as if nothing was circulated..

Whether they will accept us or not, what really matter is understanding the condition which can be possible only by raising the issue into public awareness. An understanding that life has imperfections; but the way we live makes it perfectly wonderful. And a trust that if the situation is beyond our control, we can rest assured with our Creator who has the total control of everything when he said “be still and know that I am the Lord..” I encourage you to please share your similar experiences to reinforce all of us.

http://ehsociety.wordpress.com/

If you are interested in being our guest blog feature for our front page let us know.  You can contact Beverly or Anne on the forum with a private message, all can be confidential.

Every month I have a little ritual, especially when I’m burning up inside and pouring with sweat outside.  I count the months left until we get to the cooler months.  Today my thoughts turn to the second of the traditionally hotter months, June, which begins tomorrow.  That can only be a bad thing for us sweaters.  But it can also be a good thing.  When we’re in June, we have only July, August and September to get through before it starts cooling down to any really helpful degree.  This time tomorrow I’ll be sat here thinking “the end of next month we’ll be halfway through the worst of it”.  Thinking like that picks me up and helps me to cope with life when I feel like I’m never going to cool down inside and feel ‘normal’ ever again.

I know we shouldn’t wish our lives away but those of us who suffer with Hyperhidrosis tend to do just that – and not particularly care.  It’s not as if we really have much of a life: we avoid going to places, events, wish we could hide at work so nobody will notice our sweaty patches and die inside when we catch someone looking at us.  Granted some of it is down to paranoia – if we can feel the sweat pouring from our skin then surely it’s visible to other people?  Not necessarily so, most people are busy looking at or lost in thought over something else – why would they stare at me for long enough to see my sweat?  It’s only when we have any kind of dealing with someone – ie at the checkout, in the bank or post office – that people might possibly notice.  I sometimes silently challenge people to notice – and I’m sure some of them do – but I’ve never once had the look of repulsion that I’ve always imagined coming my way.  That probably tells you more about me than it does ‘Joe Public’ – I feel revulsion towards myself when I’m dripping with sweat and my clothes are soaked through.  It’s just the way it goes, especially if you’re having a ‘down’ day or your hair and scalp haven’t been dry for weeks on end and you’re sticking uncomfortably to your clothes in the middle of a big family ‘do where everyone else is sweat-free and enjoying themselves.  Some of my family are aware of my sweating but most of my extended family don’t know.  I often wonder what they think of me sitting in the corner – I don’t suppose they imagine for a second that I’m just trying to keep cool because I’m doing my best to avoid looking like a human colander!  I’d rather people just think I’m a bit bizarre – because that’s how the sweating makes me feel.  I do wonder whether anyone has theories of why I appear so unsociable – I amuse myself by making up scenarios in my head, it’s a great diversionary tactic when I’m wishing the ground would open up beneath my feet!

I always manage to get through these things, the worst part of it is the dread and fear (where have I heard that before?!) in the lead up to that date in my calendar and the anxiety that stays with me until it’s over.

You know when you’re going out on a hot date or a big night out with your friends and you’re beside yourself with excitement?  That’s often the best part.  For us, the best part is going home, taking off our soggy clothes and throwing our sticky selves into a lovely cool shower with our favourite shower gel as a treat, before putting on our coolest pyjamas with all the windows and doors open as wide as they’ll go – and thinking what a fantastic feeling it is when a challenging day is over and done with, I’m still alive and even better, I’m feeling cool and fresh and clean.  Even if it is only until the sun comes up again – but that also means we’ve one day less of Summer. It’s a win-win situation for us!

Hello all,

Well finally another long weekend ahead.  Are you ready if you have outside plans?

Living with Hyperhidrosis we have to plan ahead to try and beat the take over of the sweating.
We are having friends over but I am already prepared, have my floppy hat, favorite seat completely in the  shade, sunblock, plug in fans and most importantly lots of water.

If  it gets too hot I will come inside and chill in the AC house

If drinking alcohol, drink plenty of water that day and also use an electrolyte supplement in your water, helps with losing too much sweat.

You can stay cool and still enjoy the outdoors with some planning ahead.

Most important things I follow are:

Water, lots of it and electrolyte I can add into it to help replace the sweat and salt we lose

If plastic furniture take a towel or seat mat with you, really helps from leaving a sweat snail trail and having to peal yourself off and leaving you wet and uncomfortable.

I take portable fans with me or a good hand held fan, plug them them where ever, as long as there is a constant breeze on me I’m not too bad.

Rush and choose a good seat fast or ask to change if already gone, explain you suffer from Hyperhidrosis, most people understand.

Sun block, bug spray.

Ice packs if you start getting too hot or neck coolies they reduce your body heat fast and stops sweating.

Most importantly, enjoy the outdoors, if a pool or river…JUMP IN, good enough excuse to get wet and cool off all over

Hope you all have a safe and Happy Memorial Weekend.

Love and hugs from your  VSB staff.

www.verysweatybetty.com

As I sit here sweating, regretting the cup of tea I have just enjoyed and drank,  I thought hot caffeine is one of my worst enemies, living with Hyperhidrosis.
We all have triggers that make us sweat faster and knowing these can help and try to avoid them.  I now drink my coffee in the morning’s iced as this helps and does not speed me up as fast.  We don’t have to give up everything, we tend to live OUR LIVES around our sweating to begin with!
Take note, we have a current discussion going on about this and what makes you switch on more??? Add to our list and discussion on the forum.

Here are a few we all complain aobut:

Heat,

Humidity,

Caffeine,

Alcohol.

Tabacco,

Spicy or hot foods,

Anxiety,

Stress,

Rushing around or housework

Gardening.

The list could go on and on…WHAT  TRIGGERS YOU??????