Programme for people with hyperhidrosis
We’re introducing a programme for people with hyperhidrosis with which we want to go beyond the medical discourse and local frameworks. We are interested in the anthropological and cultural aspect of the lifestyle of people with hyperhidrosis. Our goal is to connect individuals with hyperhidrosis to build a local and regional patient-to-patient community. Within our programme we aim:
-to organize local and regional meetings and events;
-to create a supportive environment;
-and to help develop the potentials of people with hyperhidrosis.
Follow us on our Facebook page Hiperhidroza Evropa – Hyperhidrosis Europe.
- About hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterized by excessive sweating, affecting up to 3 percent of the population. It can impose a significant physical and psychological burden, often leading to a considerable reduction in quality of life. The impact is especially pronounced in social and professional situations where making a strong first impression is important. Over time, hyperhidrosis may also limit employment opportunities and hinder social inclusion.
The physical discomfort associated with persistent moisture—such as skin tenderness, irritation, fatigue, and heightened hygiene demands—is compounded by the challenge of choosing appropriate clothing and the accelerated wear and damage to items like shoes, clothing, and even sensitive materials such as paper. These daily obstacles represent just a portion of the visible manifestations of the disorder.
Beyond its physical effects, hyperhidrosis can also cause significant emotional strain, particularly in the absence of adequate support systems and accessible, accurate information. This lack of awareness often leads to increased isolation and psychological distress among those affected.
There are two main forms of hyperhidrosis: primary (or focal) hyperhidrosis and secondary (or generalized) hyperhidrosis.
a) Primary hyperhidrosis typically begins in childhood or adolescence. Its causes are not always fully understood, though genetic factors and stress often play a role.
b) Secondary hyperhidrosis, by contrast, is linked to underlying medical conditions and usually requires treatment of the root cause.
This programme will place particular emphasis on individuals with primary hyperhidrosis, as the absence of clear causes makes effective treatment more complex. By focusing on this group, we aim to promote greater awareness, foster supportive networks, and work toward more targeted and sustainable solutions.
- A brief historical overview
The first use of the word hyperhidrosis occurs in the Victorian era around 1860. Charles Dickens described this disorder in his novel “David Copperfield” (1850) through the literary character Uriah Heep, who leaves wet finger traces while reading a book, which is well known to people with palmar hyperhidrosis:
“I found Uriah reading a great fat book, with such demonstrative attention, that his lank fore-finger followed up every line as he read, and made clammy tracks along the page. / It was no fancy of mine about his hands, I observed; for he frequently ground the palms against each other as if to squeeze them dry and warm, besides often wiping them, in a stealthy way, on his pocket-handkerchief. / After shaking hands with me – his hand felt like a fish, in the dark – he opened the door into the street a very little…”
Photo: Anastas Kocarev / Paul Schiefferdecker’s sketch of eccrine and apocrine sweat glands / Jan E. Purkyně
Jan E. Purkyně discovered sweat glands in 1833, and in 1922 Paul Schiefferdecker identified two types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. To date, the sweat glands have not been fully explored. They are connected with our sympathetic nervous system that controls sweating. Towards the end of the 19th century a surgical procedure called sympathectomy (operational interruption or excision of sympathetic nerves) was developed, initially as an attempt to treat epilepsy and other diseases, but since 1919 for hyperhidrosis as well (it was first performed by Anastas Kocarev). In the beginning, it represented a series of risks for patients, but since the 1970s, and especially since the 1990s it was introduced as a method of treatment. Despite the hope that the operation would bring a cure for primary hyperhidrosis, many patients report that the operation did not resolve the situation due to compensatory sweating in other parts of the body, which in some cases turned into an even greater problem. Currently, there are several procedures (iontophoresis, aluminum salts, Botox, etc.), and some are still being developed and tested, but there are no ideal medicines and cures yet.
- Current situation
With the rise of the internet and the widespread use of social media, individuals living with hyperhidrosis—once a highly dispersed and disconnected group—are now able to connect, share experiences, and form a clearly defined community. Many people affected by the condition are only now discovering that their excessive sweating has a medical name and that others around the world face similar challenges. This increased visibility has also made it easier to raise awareness among the general public. Previously, many dismissed the condition with the oversimplified logic that “everyone sweats,” failing to recognize the extent to which hyperhidrosis can impair daily life.
In some countries, medical support for hyperhidrosis is more accessible, underscoring its recognition as a legitimate health concern. For example, Sweden provides free Botox treatments for palmar hyperhidrosis, highlighting a systemic acknowledgment of the condition as a serious obstacle to well-being.
However, societal perceptions of sweating—often viewed as unhygienic or embarrassing—can exacerbate the burden for those affected. Fear of stigma leads many to go to great lengths to conceal their symptoms, whether by wearing only dark or white clothing, avoiding physical contact, steering clear of team sports, or even limiting career choices. Meanwhile, the media often ridicules public figures caught sweating on camera, regardless of whether they suffer from hyperhidrosis, further distorting public understanding of the disorder.
This culture of concealment contributes to the condition’s invisibility and hinders broader dialogue and awareness about its true prevalence. To change this, we must empower individuals with hyperhidrosis to speak openly about their experiences. Only through collective, systematic articulation can we shift societal perceptions and foster a more compassionate, informed view of hyperhidrosis.
Sources:
-Baker, L. B., 2019. Physiology of sweat gland function: The roles of sweating and sweat composition in human health. Temperature 6(3): 211-259, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6773238/
-Dickens, C., 1994. David Copperfield. Penguin Books, pages 199-201.
-Lee, K.Y.C., in Levell, N.J., 2014. Turning the Tide: A History and Review of Hyperhidrosis Treatment. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 5(1): 1-4, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4012678/.
-“Hyperhidrosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hyperhidrosis. Accessed 13.1.2017.
-The Local Sweden, 10.6.2012. Sweaty Swedes seek help overseas, https://www.thelocal.se/20120610/41352.
Photo sources:
-Anastas Kocarev: Wikipedia
-Paul Schiefferdecker: Die Hautdrüssen des Menschen… https://www.zobodat.at/pdf/Zoologica_27_72_0001-0154.pdf
-Jan E. Purkyně: Europeana-Hynek Fiedler
