SweatSolutions.org: Emerging Medical Focus on Hyperhidrosis in Youth

January/February 2009 Edition Table of Contents:

» ALERT: GOOD MORNING AMERICA to Run Segment on Hyperhidrosis

» David M. Pariser, MD, founding Board Member, Takes the Oath

» Emerging Medical Focus on Hyperhidrosis in Youth

» Two New Language Portals for SweatHelp.org Now a Reality!

» View Events

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Emerging Medical Focus on Hyperhidrosis in Youth

In December, 2008, the journal Pediatric Dermatology published an article by International Hyperhidrosis Board Member Adelaide Hebert, MD. This publication signals a promising trend in hyperhidrosis research and care: a focus on children and teens who suffer with excessive sweating.

Dr. Hebert is a highly regarded dermatologist who has been in practice for over 25 years and has treated numerous adult and pediatric hyperhidrosis patients. She is also a professor in the Departments of Dermatology and Pediatrics at the University of Texas-Houston Medical School and is one of the founding board members of the International Hyperhidrosis Society.

The publication of Dr. Hebert's article--titled "Primary Pediatric Hyperhidrosis: A Review of Current Treatment Options"-- is encouraging for a number of reasons. It acts as a beginning in the effort to fill the void of information among medical professionals relating to children and teens with hyperhidrosis. It may also be the launching point for more research and quality of life improvements for all people with excessive sweating.

Historically, the burden of excessive sweating for children and teens has been uniformly overlooked in the medical community. The International Hyperhidrosis Society makes a dedicated effort to raise awareness about pediatric hyperhidrosis, devoting a section of our Web site to teens and circulating, free-of-charge to all who ask, our award-winning book for teens with hyperhidrosis, "Teen Sweat 101." We are also an unmatched resource for teens, families, and physicians when it comes to helping to promote education through lectures, publications, and research efforts.

Focusing on treatments for children and teens is so important because of the nature of the disease. The onset of hyperhidrosis symptoms typically occurs during childhood and adolescence (average age of onset is 14-25 years of age) and recognizing hyperhidrosis symptoms early in life could open the door to better understanding and management of excessive sweating throughout life, perhaps eliminating--or at least mitigating--years of anxiety.

Dr. Hebert's article defines hyperhidrosis and summarizes the treatment options available for children and teens. They are, in large part, the same treatments that are used in the adult population: topical therapy (antiperspirants), oral anticholinergics, iontophoresis, Botox injections, and surgery.

(Please note, however, that the International Hyperhidrosis Society strongly disagrees with the recommendations of ETS surgery for children and teens. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy is an invasive surgery that is reserved for patients with very severe symptoms that have not responded to other treatments. It is associated with complications that make it an unacceptable treatment for most patients.)

While these options can be effective to varying degrees for each patient, in general there have been very few studies focused solely on children and teens to actually assess a treatment's effectiveness or side effects. This dearth of knowledge within the medical community has repercussions: Fewer studies of the pediatric hyperhidrosis population maintains the status quo with regard to their treatment and care. When more research and attention is devoted to a disease or condition in the medical community, healthcare providers are better informed and patients benefit.

As it is now, the pediatric population is, according to Dr. Hebert, severely under diagnosed and under treated. "Many pediatricians are not educated during their residency on the recognition and management of hyperhidrosis," she says. "It is just not as widely known or understood outside of the dermatological field." She acknowledges that pediatricians are not usually familiar with hyperhidrosis and are, therefore, not as well equipped to offer their patients help.

But she and her colleagues are ultimately hopeful that this is starting to change. She points to the publication of her article in Pediatric Dermatology as a promising start saying, "It will result in more citations and will allow more pediatricians to become familiar with hyperhidrosis."

Lisa Pieretti, IHHS Executive Director, says that "What we need are clinical research and treatments to take into consideration the needs of the pediatric population that suffers so greatly with hyperhidrosis." The letters we receive daily convey their anguish and their feelings of helplessness. Here are some examples:

"I am 18 years old and positive I have hyperhidrosis. It's effected my life since my early teens and as a result I feel like I haven't lived the last few years of my life as I would've liked to. I can't do the many things I would love to do, such as going to parties and other types of social gatherings. I find it most embarrassing and difficult when I am about to meet a new person and I start drying my hands off from the moment I see them walking towards me; then I just wait for them to wipe their hands. That is probably the hardest thing I have to go through. I feel disgusting and dirty and I am by nature a shy person, so sweating to this extent doesn't help me at all."

"I'm a cheerleader, and at all the ball games I'm the only one who can't tumble because my hands slip on the gym floor. It's also really bad, because I have to constantly raise my arms to cheer, and out pop the huge sweat rings for everyone to see. People love to make fun and call me names."

"Hello, I am 14 years old and I have a major sweating problem under my armpits. The funny thing is though, it's only when I'm at school. It's so embarrassing. I can't even lift my arms to ask a question. I feel horrible."

This is why we dedicate so much of our limited resources to helping children and teens by raising awareness among doctors, children, teachers and their families. We strongly encourage the pharmaceutical and consumer product manufacturers to hear these young voices and develop better remedies for young kids with hyperhidrosis. Reach out to us if you can offer help or ideas; email us.

Our hope at the International Hyperhidrosis Society is that Dr. Hebert's article will begin a conversation among all medical professionals, and lay the groundwork for a future where a young one won't have to withdraw into an existence that is smaller than who they really are; where there's no hiding from the world because of something you can't control. No kid wants to nor should be defined by their sweating.