Hyperhidrosis: Facts and Fictions
Everyone knows what sweating is because, quite frankly, everyone sweats. The average person, however, may not know what hyperhidrosis is- even if they have the condition. Hyperhidrosis, in simple terms, is excessive sweating. There can be a lot of misconceptions when it comes to this condition and its effects, however. Which is why the experts at The Center for Hyperhidrosis have put together a list of facts and myths (or fictions) to help you better understand hyperhidrosis.
Fiction: Hyperhidrosis stems from a lack of personal hygiene.
A common misconception about hyperhidrosis is that it is caused by, or directly related to personal hygiene (or in this case a lack thereof). This actually couldn’t be further from the truth, however. Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that cannot be solved by just looking and smelling fresh and clean. While personal hygiene is very important when it comes to maintaining and dealing with excessive sweating, the two do not have a causation relationship- so fixing one simply won’t fix the other.
Fact: Hyperhidrosis isn’t just armpit sweating- it can affect different parts of the body.
A lot of times when we think of sweating, we immediately think of armpit sweating. While the majority of people who experience excessive sweating suffer from underarm sweating, many other parts of the body can experience it too. There is head and face excessive sweating, excessive sweating of the feet known as plantar hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating of the hands known as palmar hyperhidrosis, excessive back sweating, excessive chest sweating, excessive sweating under the breast region, and so much more. Someone who experiences hyperhidrosis may deal with excessive sweating in any one of these regions, a combination of these regions, or even all of these regions in some cases!
Fiction: Hyperhidrosis only affects a person physically.
This is a huge misconception about hyperhidrosis that can be very difficult for people with the condition to deal with. Hyperhidrosis is a physical condition, not a psychological one, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect people emotionally or mentally. In other words, it cannot be controlled mentally, but it can have a huge mental effect on a person. Having to constantly deal with or worry about excessive sweating can be stressful, embarrassing, and even isolating. So while it is predominantly a physical condition, the mental and emotional side effects should not be ignored or downplayed.
Fact: Hyperhidrosis is a common condition.
This is absolutely true. It is estimated that 7.8 million individuals suffer from hyperhidrosis. That is 2.8% of the entire population that has this condition. It is much more common than most people think, and it is a condition that should be widely recognized and taken very seriously.
Fiction: A person is born with hyperhidrosis.
False- a person is not born with hyperhidrosis. They CAN be born with hyperhidrosis- but this is not the case most often. Hyperhidrosis and its effects may be present at birth, but more often than not the conditions develop later in life. Hyperhidrosis can occur in childhood, in the teenage years, or even present itself much later into adulthood. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to dealing with hyperhidrosis, which is why it is so important to be educated on the condition.
Fact: The temperature doesn’t matter when it comes to hyperhidrosis.
If you begin excessively sweating because of hyperhidrosis, you should just move to a cooler space- right? Wrong. Temperatures and weather conditions have nothing to do with hyperhidrosis. A person with hyperhidrosis can experience the same excessive sweating whether it is the hottest day in July or the coldest day in February. When it comes to temperature, hyperhidrosis shows no favoritism.
Fiction: Hyperhidrosis is not that serious of a condition.
This is majorly false. Hyperhidrosis is a very serious condition that should not be taken lightly. While it is not a life-threatening condition by any means, it still presents some serious side-effects that interrupt and affect daily life. It can interfere with everyday activities, a person’s mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing, and overall messes with a person’s quality of life.
Fact: Hyperhidrosis is a treatable condition.
Last, but most certainly not least, this is one of the greatest and most important truths when it comes to hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is treatable. With all of the side effects and difficulties that come with this condition, you don’t have to live with them. There are a number of solutions when it comes to dealing with and treating hyperhidrosis.
That is where the experts at The Center for Hyperhidrosis come into play. You must know that hyperhidrosis is treatable- but we can take it from there. Contact our team today to learn more about the treatment options that are available to you and how we can help you deal with your condition. You can also learn more about our treatment options by visiting our various treatment pages.
At the end of the day, it is important to understand hyperhidrosis facts and fictions, but fortunately, The Center for Hyperhidrosis is here to help you do that every step of the way.
