As something that has affected me for a long time and with so few people having written about it I felt that it might be worth spreading the word about it so you can all understand a condition that may not be life threatening but is incredibly hard work, and frustrating for those who suffer with it. Imagine girls going into a shop and seeing the most beautiful pink dress, but knowing that even trying it on would leave it with marks that would embarrass you... That's what I dealt with for five years....

~*~ What is Hyperhidrosis? ~*~

Now there are two types of hyperhidrosis, localized hyperhidrosis which can be around particular places of the body such as excessive sweating in arm pits, feet, hands and groin area. This is because in these areas there are the most sweat glands in the body, however it is not just these areas, any on the body can be affected; generalized hyperhidrosis however happens to be in various places all over the body at the same time. It can be specified into Primary and Secondary sectors of the condition, primary hyperhidrosis tends to start in adolescence, and should be distinguished from secondary which can start at any point in life. The secondary hyperhidrosis can be due to thyroid or pituitary problem - which normally has to be investigated, using blood tests. There are other ways of classifying hyperhidrosis, one being the area in which it affects - palmoplantar; meaning just sweating in palms of hands or feet.

~*~ At this point I'd just like to point out that hyperhidrosis is merely excessive sweating it doesn't mean a sufferer is smelly or disgusting and if you suffer as a child it's something you will come across as an insult frequently! ~*~

~*~ Treatments for Hyperhidrosis ~*~

There are many ways to treat the condition once you have been diagnosed by your GP, the first thing they tend to do is refer to a dermatologist so you can talk through your condition with a professional. The first line of treatment tends to be an aluminium chloride based anti perspirant if you are suffering with axilla hyperhidrosis (underarms) but it has been known to be used on other parts of the body affected by excessive sweating. There are other ways if that doesn't work, such as botox injections in the affected areas, tablets and if it's really needed there are surgical procedures that can be carried out to help the condition. Such as removing the sweat glands, but there are many side effects with that such as regrowth so it is possible that the condition could come back. There are many treatments that you can be referred to, it is always down to the severity you have and normally what your GP has had results with in the past. Don't be nervous to go and see your GP about treatment it will make all the difference.

~*~ That is a brief look at the condition if you want to know anymore have a look on NHS choices and if you are concerned book an appointment with your GP ~*~

~*~ My experience with the condition ~*~
As far as I can remember I realised something was wrong around the time I was 14, it started out I didn't take much notice of it I was just at school and noticed my shirts were getting a bit yellow around the armpits. Mum didn't think much of it so I ignored it, in retrospect that was probably a bad idea but it's too late now. It wasn't until I was out the summer of my GCSE's with friends in a brown vest top (I remember it like it was yesterday) stood outside Bakers Oven and one of my male friends at the time turned round to me and said oh Laura's really sweaty, despite the fact it wasn't really that hot, and we hadn't really done anything - that it really began to concern me. Come my prom a few weeks later I had a lovely pink dress, and I had to keep my arms down all night through fear of what was showing, I became increasingly paranoid about it.

That's when the obsession with black clothing came, I figured that there was no chance of anyone seeing anything if I wore black. So in sixth form, I never bothered to take my navy blue jumper off, because I was scared of what would be on my white shirts underneath. I found myself going through shirt after shirt because they were getting stained. My normal clothes too, were stained with sweat/anti perspirant that I so desperately tried to use so much to get it to stop. No one in my family said anything, but I was getting even more paranoid and upset about it every time someone mentioned it - that all I would wear was black tops and nothing else. Then I got with my boyfriend at the time and tried so hard to avoid him noticing, that wasn't going to happen, it's the most embarrassing thing in the world some things that happened to me while we were together, I won't repeat it, but it was enough to push someone back into their shell.

If I'm honest it could have been worse, but I in a day I could change my top twice maybe three times in the day time purely because it was soaked through. One of the worst things that this condition causes for me having the axilla hyperhidrosis is the fact that if I go to try on dresses or tops it used to have to be a really quick try on and off again else I would run the risk of making the top or dress wet. At one point even in the winter I could lift my arms and there would just be beads of sweat sitting on the skin. Even more so come the summer or if I was doing anything remotely like exercise it would dribble down the back of my arms, I sat in lectures last summer dripping onto the chair I was sat on. It's a horrible condition and honestly if you think you have a problem go to your GP, because I wouldn't want anyone to suffer how I did over the past five or six years.

It was about March or April this year that I discovered an anti perspirant that has pretty much stopped all this with minimal effort, and regular application. To the point that when I went to meet my new boyfriend for the first time I didn't have a drop of sweat on what I was wearing, and the girl that always had to wear black dresses for important occasions, wore a turquoise dress for her best friend's wedding. I just wish I'd gone to the GP sooner than I did - because maybe all these years of anguish and upset might have been saved. I just look forward to buying and wearing lots of bright coloured clothes, and getting my bright and bubbly personality back!