Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is not a discriminating problem. Excessive sweating affects every gender, age group and race.
Approximately twelve million Americans, almost one out of 25 people, are affected by excessive sweating. Both men and women are affected by excessive sweating, as well as every race and age group. It is estimated that one out of 25 Caucasians has hyperhidrosis, and approximately one out of every five Asian also suffers from excessive sweating.
Hyperhidrosis can affect newborns and seniors and anyone in between. Excessive sweating may develop during any stage in a person's life as well. Regardless of age, hyperhidrosis causes difficult and humiliating situations for any sufferer.
Children or adolescents with excessive sweating are particular vulnerable. Young people afflicted with hyperhidrosis are especially at risk for developing inappropriate coping mechanisms, because childhood is a time to build self-esteem.
In middle or high school, students with hyperhidrosis may find that their peers misunderstand their condition. Frequently, teenagers will withdraw and distance themselves from potentially embarrassing situations. They also can lose confidence in their abilities to interact with others.
Teenagers will often quit sports, dating and other school activities because of the embarrassment and ridicule from peers caused by excessive sweating. The longer teenagers suffer with excessive sweating, the greater the emotional fallout.
Adults with excessive sweating are also open to emotional distress. Excessive sweating sufferers may hide their hands under their arms, behind their backs or under their thighs during conversations. Oftentimes, individuals with hyperhidrosis choose careers that eliminate or minimize social interaction. Even interviews or other situations requiring hand shaking become difficult.
Adult patients report that during social gatherings, they often hold a
cold drink so others assume that their hand was cold and clammy because
of the drink instead of excessive sweating.