Knowing how severe one’s hyperhidrosis can be tricky, because the perception of one’s sweat may not reflect what others see or how they feel. It’s obvious for some that they have a serious case. On the other hand, others might not know how adversely their condition affects them. This post will take a brief look at how sufferers can determine whether they need medical assistance and a lifestyle overhaul to keep their condition under control.
How to Much Time Do You Spend Trying to Hide Sweat
The hallmark of a condition being under control is knowing you spend minimal time and effort trying to control it. This applies to hyperhidrosis as well. If hiding sweat or staying dry doesn’t consume as much time and energy as it used to, then you’re probably starting to have more control over it. If you’re starting to feel more confident in social and professional settings, then this is a major sign that you’re gaining control over your hyperhidrosis. This is a key signal because the psychological aspect of the condition is more impactful than its physical manifestations.
Of course, the opposite is true as well. If you spend much of your time changing clothes, wiping sweaty body parts or finding ways to hide, then your sweating is NOT under control. In a worst case scenario, it could be getting worse.
How Much Does Sweat Affect Your Daily Routine?
This next point is closely related to the previous one. The more you sweat, the more time it will take away from your daily routine. And it happens in two ways: 1) You devote excessive amounts of time trying to hide sweat and stay dry, 2) The sweat itself makes your job more difficult to accomplish. Unfortunately, excessive sweating often affects your routine in both ways.
Lets address the first one. Before the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown workspaces and offices, employees with hyperhidrosis lived in constant a nightmare. If you can relate, you probably remember frequent bathroom breaks to monitor armpit stains or having to devise schemes to avoid handshakes. Devoting so much time and energy to sweating can steal a significant amount of time from the job itself, however imperceptible it may seem.
Excessive sweating also takes a toll on your productivity by making it physical tasks difficult to perform. For example:
- Driving jobs can be very distracting if the the wheel is soaking wet due to sweaty palms
- Using a keyboard/mouse can feel uncomfortable if they’re drenched in sweat
- Gripping a pen/pencil with sweaty hands can slow you down during writing tasks
Of course, sweating can affect your job productivity in numerous other ways as well. As long as sweating makes it hard to concentrate or manipulate objects/tools, it will slow down your productivity.
And that brings us to a key consideration: if you’re spending too much work time trying to stay dry, then your sweating is not under control. Also, if you physically can’t use certain objects and tools properly - which will inevitably slow you down at work - then your sweating is not under control.
Again, the opposite is true. If you’re able to get through the work day without focusing much on sweat or how it holds you back, then your hyperhidrosis is probably somewhat under control.
How Much Do Others Comment or Notice Your Sweating
Hyperhidrosis sufferers typically “discover” their condition in childhood, a reality that you might have experienced. Unfortunately, the discovery is made by being teased, ridiculed or bullied by other kids. Of course, some people don’t notice excessive sweating until they get older.
But they too may hear someone say something along the lines of “you’re sweating a lot” or may imply it by asking “is it too warm in here for you?”. With that said, a casual observer or even a recognizable face may not openly say much to you since it can be awkward. However, if it comes up in conversation, even if it’s indirect, then this could be a sign that your sweating is unusually heavy and needs better management.
Of course, behaviours and actions speak louder than words. If people who know you seem somewhat hesitant to shake hands with you, then this is a sign that your hyperhidrosis needs better care. If coworkers or friends often cast a second glance at a sweaty body part, then this too may be a sign that your hyperhidrosis needs more effective treatment. Of course, if you’re having carefree interactions with others, then this is a sign that excessive sweating is not an issue for you or the people around you.
If You Think You Sweat a Lot, See a Doc
If you think (or even have a hunch) that you sweat too much, then you should visit your doctor asap. They can help you determine whether you need treatment or not, and what kind of treatments might be right for you. That alone can give you a sense of freedom from the uncertainties of whether you sweat too much or not and hope that relief is possible.
In time, the right treatment or combination of treatments can help you keep your sweating under control. In the meantime, you can rely on practical solutions such as our line of sweatproof shirts to help you mask the appearance and feel of sweat.
And don’t hesitate to make lifestyle changes regarding your diet, exercise and stress to reduce sweating. Eventually, you will have the confidence that your sweating is under control, rather than having to worry about it.
Looking for more tips to help you keep hyperhidrosis under control? Check out our NEAT Freaks blog for more insights on staying dry.
