What is Hyperhidrosis?Hyperhidrosis is a skin disease. It can be generalised or localised to specific parts of the body. Hands, feet, armpits, and the groin area are among the most active regions of perspiration due to the relatively high concentration of sweat glands; however, any part of the body may be affected.
Hyperhidrosis can also be classified depending whether it is a congenital (hereditary) or an acquired trait. Primary hyperhidrosis is found to start during adolescence or even before and seems to be inherited as a genetic trait. Primary hyperhidrosis must be distinguished from secondary hyperhidrosis, which can start at any point in life. The latter form may be due to a disorder of the thyroid or pituitary gland, diabetes mellitus, tumors, gout, menopause, certain drugs or mercury poisoning. It can be a symptom of temporary illnesses like colds and 'flu or hormonal changes such as periods or menopause. Hyperhidrosis can also be divided into palmar/plantar (symptomatic sweating of primarily the hands or feet), gustatory (sweating whilst eating/digesting a meal) or generalised hyperhidrosis which covers sweating from any other area in your body. Everybody sweats, it's a normal function which serves to cool us down so we don't overheat. Hyperhidrosis is caused by an overactive (ie broken) thermal regulator (the bodies thermostat). In the simplest terms, in a Hyperhidrotic's body, their thermostatic control is stuck on the hottest setting. A medical diagnosis should always be sought, but if you sweat to an excessive level, there are now many ways of dealing with it. Hyperhidrosis has at long last been officially recognised as a skin disease in it's own right. This is the best thing to have happened in the world of Hyperhidrosis - so far!
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Who are we?We are a small group of normal people who just happen to sweat a lot. We’re not alone – millions of people worldwide suffer from this acutely embarrassing and socially isolating condition, but, because of the negativity and misconceptions surrounding sweating and being sweaty, they attempt to keep it to themselves and suffer in silence. As with all taboo issues, it only takes a few like-minded people to get together to blow a taboo wide apart and tell it how it really is. Hence Very Sweaty Betty was born. We are committed to raising awareness of Hyperhidrosis and dispel the stigma and ignorance surrounding sweat and sweating.
The people behind Very Sweaty Betty started the Hyperhidrosis Awareness Campaign in Spring 2008 and are committed to raising awareness of this debilitating disease. This is ongoing - we won't rest until Hyperhidrosis is household knowledge - such as asthma or eczema. We want to reduce the stigma and ignorance surrounding our health struggles and show the world there's far more to it than buying a deodorant. Many people go undiagnosed because they don't realise it's a disease. There is also a lot of stigma and negativity attached to sweating which makes it socially isolating for us. We aim to give Hyperhidrosis a higher profile so we can all live our lives with understanding from others. . |
Raising Awareness
Raising awareness is really important to us. There has never been a better time to educate friends, family and even complete strangers about the condition. Please invite as many people as you can to add us to their friends list - and remember - you'll find lots of support and help on how to deal with your sweating on our friendly forum.
Hyperhidrosis is classed as a non-harmful disease. We think that's very wrong and does the sufferers no justice at all. As it's non-harmful, it's not classed as particularly important when it comes to resources and funding. It's estimated that 3% of the world's population suffers with this which makes it an important disease to know more about. . How YOU can helpThere's a very simple way of helping us to raise awareness and it's nothing to do with sending us money! Please link to us from your website, facebook, twitter, forums, advertising websites etc. Please also send our links to your contents with a line "Do you sweat excessively?". Word of mouth is the most powerful advertising there is. Three in every hundred people suffer with this but as many as 50% aren't aware that it's treatable.
Every single person who finds out about Hyperhidrosis will help to lower the stigma, ignorance and isolation experienced with this miserable disease - please help us to help you and get buzzing! |
