Philippa Nightingale dreads meeting new people. She's an amusing, articulate,
friendly 36-year-old, but her body is clammy with sweat most of the time.
Sometimes her hands drip. Shaking hands is a trial, she says, and causes
people to pull back from her.
As a child, she was mortified by the wet patches on the back of her school
dress that showed up when she got off her chair.
All her life Nightingale has suffered from hyper-hidrosis, a condition that
affects one in a hundred of us. It is caused by a defect in the part of the
nervous system that controls sweating and causes excessive perspiration from
the face, hands, feet and armpits.
Nightingale suffers from what is known as secondary hyperhidrosis, in which
the whole body sweats excessively as a side-effect of another problem, such
as low blood sugar, heart disease, or, in her case, anxiety.
As a character she is a natural rebel, home-schooling her children and
avoiding conformity wherever she can, but this bravado covers up an anxious
personality. Facing the prospect of this interview made her feel clammy all
morning.
A “horrible sabotage” is the way she describes her body's reactions.
Generally, it's not temperature that prompts the sweating, but situations.
“I had sweaty hands and feet as a child, then it started affecting my whole
body at puberty. Because my father has it mildly, and my sister has it on
her hands and feet, we never talked about it; we all just got on with it,”
she says. “The weird thing is my hands and feet are pouring with sweat but
they are icy cold. It's clammy around my face and the back of my neck, and
my hands and feet drip. Talking and thinking about it brings it on. If I
know I have to stand in a queue, I will start sweating.”
Nightingale chooses clothes that hide the sweat patches, but her face appears
shiny, with small beads of sweat on her nose and forehead, and her hands
feel cold and wet.
She has been with her partner Martin for eight years. “I told him straight
away about the sweating because I always have to say ‘Oh sorry, I have
really sweaty hands' whenever I shake hands with a new person. It doesn't
bother him in the slightest. We have seven-year-old twins, and they comment
about Mummy's sweaty hands - but they are quite happy to hold them.”
Nightingale sells imported Indian and Thai jewellery at markets local to her
home in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. Buying trips to India in extreme temperatures
means that her sweating moves to a new level. “I have to accept that I am
just going to feel like a sponge the whole time I'm there,” she says. “But
back here in the local markets, I'm fine. My stall is my space, where I feel
confident, and I don't have to do very much that involves interacting with
people. I once ruined a job interview because I was wearing clothes that
showed up my sweat and I started worrying so much about it that I got really
flustered. There are so many hang-ups about sweating. People associate it
with being dirty or smelly.”
Treatments are hard to come by
Hyperhidrosis generally starts in childhood or during puberty, with patients
experiencing a heightened reaction to sweating stimuli such as anxiety,
pain, exercise, tension, caffeine or nicotine. Medical help is not always
easy to come by: treatment is controversial because each case seems to be
slightly different, and all too often sufferers never find a cure that works
for them. The condition was not taken seriously for many years and proper
research has been undertaken only recently. It turns out that Botox is one
of the most effective cures for secondary hyper-hidrosis (see below), but
Nightingale cannot afford the repeat treatments, which cost about £400, up
to four times a year. Her GP suggested a powerful antiperspirant called
Driclor, which had no effect on her.
Although other treatments are available, Nightingale has not pursued them as
hard as she might. This is typical of the hyperhidrosis sufferer; fewer than
40 per cent of them seek medical help. “You grow up with it and you think
there are just so many things that are so much worse that people need proper
medical treatment for,” she says.
The condition was rarely mentioned at home, partly because the problem doesn't
occur so acutely in family situations, when peope are feeling more relaxed.
But also, Nightingale says: “We're the sort of family that doesn't make a
fuss. My father would always say, ‘There are much worse things we could
have'. He would never have dreamt of getting treatment for it. I think I
felt a bit guilty or self-indulgent for worrying about it.”
The condition can be very uncomfortable and even painful, as the skin is
permanently damp. When the palms and soles are involved, the skin may crack
or scale. But thankfully, the perspiration does not smell. “I can sweat all
day and in the evening there is no smell. It's almost like water,”
Nightingale says.
But although she has been stoical about her condition, she is coming to the
end of her acceptance, partly because she believes her children may also
have inherited it. “I don't want them to have to go through all this, and
that's made me realise that I don't want to go through it any more either,”
she explains.
Nightingale believes the key to curing her condition is to find a way of
controlling her feelings and anxieties.
“It's a confidence thing. I need to stop worrying,” she says. In the past she
has been known to resort to a stiff drink to achieve this, but now she is
looking into healthier options such as hypnotherapy.
Treatments
Treatments for hyperhidrosis include hypnotherapy, relaxation tapes,
meditation and psychotherapy, which can all help people to overcome the
stress that triggers sweating.
Strong antiperspirants such as Anhydrol Forte and Driclor contain
aluminium chloride hexahydrate, which inhibits the sweat glands. Available
on prescription, or £5.99 at www.expresschemist.co.uk
Botox, injected into the skin in small doses, blocks the nerves that
supply the sweat glands. Probably the most effective treatment. Available
from dermatology clinics, including White Light Skin Clinics (white-light.com
) and The Private Clinic, in Harley Street and Manchester. It costs £450 (www.theprivateclinic.co.uk
).
Electrical stimulation, or iontophoresis, which is claimed to work
after four to seven treatments. Home kit available from www.stdpharm.co.uk.
Surgical cutting of the sympathetic nerves that control sweating;
radical but effective treatment.
The Hyperhydrosis UK support group advocates using emollients rather
than soap-based products (www.hyperhidrosisuk.org
)
ive just had a bilateral sympathectomy to stop my hands and arm pits sweating, l have suffered from xcess sweating for as long as i can remember.. I will update you on my progress.. am so looking for ward to wearing all colours of clothes instead of wearing black to hide the sweat marks
june , bathgate, west lothian
I had the operation to stop me blushing, which is the sweat gland over-reacting in the face. The best thing I ever did (A swedish harley st specialist did it). However I noticed the underarm sweatglands over-compensated and that is a pain, but I would also have the op. some had their hands done too
Jessica, london,
I have had hyperhidrosis since i was 11, sweat dripping from my hands, feet and underarms. I am 20 now and i find it harder to deal with, the GP has put me on hydrochloride Oxybutinin so im dry, but v dependent on it. I dont know how to tell my new boyfriend. This condition really upsets me : (
Kelly, Manchester, England
What a relief to find other people like myself! This is the first article I have read in the Press about the condition, although a feature on This Morning a couple of years ago encouraged me to check DriClor out...it did sting at first but really worked for me.
vicki, manchester, england
Phillippa
I was not accepted as a physio student because of my sweaty hands.. I was so nervous... but now as I said before - I take Bach Remedies and I am more calm and nearly sweat free!!
Worth a try if being anxious sets it off and if you dont want to be anxious! Prevention is best!
trish niblock, Edinburgh, Midlothian
I'm sixty this year and have suffered all my life of what I now know is hyperhidrosis.Only those affected by it can understand what effect it can have on one's life..I really admire Ralph (Fort Collins, USA) who just got on with his life and ignored the condition...
Tina, Annecy, France
My daughter has experienced this for several years and a caring doctor prescribed what is basically an anti-ulcer drug called Glycopyrrolate -2mg once or twice a day, as needed, which has a known side effect of reducing sweating. Its worked very well for
her-maybe this is an option for you too.
TP, Philadelphia, USA
I had Hyperhydrosis in my hands, feet, and underarms, mostly. By the time I reached my 30's I was so embarrassed that I avoided all social situations. I had the Sympathectomy surgery in 2000. Now my hands and underarms don't sweat but it can be twice as bad everywhere else. A managable trade for me.
Mike, Lawrence, USA
I've suffered from this for as long as I can remember. I can sweat in an igloo. When I use to go out, people thought I was sick because by the middle of the day/night, my clothes would be drenched. Since it's inconvient but not life-threatening, I refuse to have anything done about it.
Ralph, Fort Collins, USA
It's true, those without the condition seldom understand and belittle it -- even *doctors* of all people are guilty of rolling their eyes. But seriously, just imagine that every day of your life, you're sweating profusely in some situation or another and it's not related to heat.
Nicholas, Austin, TX, United States
Mine too is anxiety related. Put a shirt on for a meeting and the underarms are wet before the tie goes on - it's pathetic...
Suits are ruined albeit Fabreze sales must be extremely healthy!
I tried Driclor - ten minutes after application I was in an ice-cold shower with armpits on fire. Painful!
Ade, Durham, UK
After 10 yrs of suffering severe HH, my daughter at 16 went to GP who reccommended botox or bilateral sympathectomy - antiperspirants didn't work. She opted for the op and tho' very painful procedure, her underarms are now completely sweat free. Slight increase in sweating on torso was well worth it
Elaine Myers, Solihull, UK
My heart goes out to her. My father had it; I have it - and I fear I may have passed it on. I used to watch the sweat drip off the end of my nose into the soup at dinner parties. Not nice. Eventually, I had surgery - called a bilateral sympathectomy. Success - but now my backs is perpetually damp.
andrew, London,
oh for goodness sakes - have we gotten so far from our naturalness that we cant simply accept someone a little outside of the "norm". She looks like a babe to me, frankly. So what if she is a little "moist". I mean really.
Fred , Rubble, USA
My wife had the same problem (hands and feet). Surgery on the back of her shoulders to cut the nerves was fully effective in ending the problem in the upper body.
Dairam, Moncton, Canada
I have suffered from hyperhydrosis since puberty, with resulting dread of social situations, where the condition worsened because of my anxiety, my armpits being the most noticeable. I eventually got referred by my GP to a dermatologist, who was sympathetic, and I was successfully treated on the NHS
Sue, Northallerton,
IMy sweating problem does not simply affect my palms, underarms and feet but my whole body. It literally drips off me and leaves wet patches wherever I sit. It is not just when I am anxious or nervous although it happens then also. It is a problem I have had most of my life.
Jacquie, Addlestone, UK
I have axillar hyperhidrosis, and Botox changed my life . It's covered by most insurance programs here in the U.S. Check w/ NHS, they may cover it?
Petunia, brighton, usa
Reading this article filled me with a sense of relief to know I'm not the only one. I tried everything but surgery and Botox. I too experience the very same symptoms and nothing has worked. It has been a complete nightmare. I've just resolved myself to living with it now. Thankyou for sharing.
Rose, london, uk
Cervical Sympathectomy and Lumbar sympathectomy worked for me, carried out 35 years ago at one of the top teaching hospitals in London.
Changed my life. I will always remember the wonderful surgeon who carried out the operations.
They do not come like him any more, I am afraid to tell you.
maria, surrey, uk
This is the first time I've ever seen an article about hyperhydrosis in the press. Thanks.
It's not only doctors who are unsympathetic, everyone is! They tell you to lose weight, do more sport and things will improve. They've no idea!
Only those who have it can understand how depressing it is
Tess, UK,
I had this when I was a kid. The doctor tried to put me on anti-depressants.
I was so conscious of sweating that I clamped my arms and legs together when I sat down, and wore heavy jumpers even in hot weather. Thankfully it eventually dawned on me that this behaviour was causing the problem.
rob, london,
I have exactly the same severe form as your subject, and was prescribed Pro-Banthine (propantheline bromide) 15mg tablets which i take twice a day, though they can be taken 3 times daily. I've been on them 3 years now and they're very effective. Forget antiperspirants for severe HH - they don't work
Stuart, Bristol,
I also suffer from anxiety related hyper-hidrosis. It maily started in school, where I was bullied for it (that just made it worse). I've spent lots of money on treatments over time and found doctors quite unsympathetic. I always wear black clothes to hide it, people always want to make comment.
Catherine, Swansea,
I had keyhole surgery in 1998 to correct my very sweaty hands and feet. It changed my life with regards my hands but unfortunately my feet still sweat horrendously, I find it easier to cope with sweaty feet as its not so obvious to others.
Andrea, Basingstoke,
This condition is more common than many people realise. I've had a similar reaction to anxiety since my 30's. Recommend hypnotherapy.
Dave, winchester, uk
Can readers remember that we do not know the medical credentials of those posting comments here (or even those writing the article and recommending treatments come to that). Seek medical advice from your GP first; they are there to help.
Eve, UK,
Cognitive Behavioural Thearapy (CBT) before drugs.
Peter, Sydney, Australia
clonidine is a cheap blood pressure medicine which sometimes works in hyperhidrosis. start once at bedtime and move up to 0.1mg twice daily
David Chorley, Tulsa, USA
Philippa should try Odaban, available on line from Odaban.com.
I live in Dubai, where currently it is 45 degrees and 90% humidity (not that it matters-I sweat even when it is below freezing), and Odaban is a tremendous help.
John, Dubai,
Acupuncture. Try to find someone who is trained in the Worsley techniques.
paul a'barge, Jeddo, USA
my 4 year old son has hyphydrotic ectodermal dyplasia which is a total absence of sweat glands.It is hard to explan to people how these conditions affect your everyday life .I hope work realy hard on his confidance so as he gets older he the focus is on him as a person and not his condition .
karen green, southend-on-sea, essex
Same for myself as well. I have lived with this condition all my life, perhaps not quite as bad but I sweat even before I go into a sauna just at the thought of it. Meetings etc can also cause it. What I did find once was that Jet Lag seemed to have a calming effect on me.
Jay, Oxshott, Surrey
I really felt a sense of 'unity' when i read Phillipa's article on hyper-hydosis in Saturday's Times. Thanks!
All my life i have suffered with this and the worst thing is being in 'new' situations: meeting new people, being close to those who do not know/understand your condition.
Jerry Bettington, Hinckley, United Kingdom