My Story
My name is Tyler, and I’ve lived with excessive sweating for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories goes all the way back to first grade. I was sitting at my desk when my teacher noticed my damp hands and, trying to be kind, offered me a paper towel in front of the whole class. She meant well, but having it pointed out so publicly only made me feel exposed—and of course, the sweating got worse.
As I got older, moments like that became more frequent. People would notice my clammy hands, and I’d feel a wave of embarrassment every time. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t control it. The more I worried about it happening, the more it actually did. Eventually, I found myself constantly hiding my hands, doing everything I could to keep people from noticing.
By the time I reached high school, the sweating had spread to my feet and underarms. I played a lot of sports, and the combination of intense activity and constant moisture led to recurring athlete’s foot. My shirts often had visible sweat marks that friends and classmates sometimes pointed out. Each comment fed into my anxiety, which then fed into the sweating—it became a cycle I couldn’t seem to break.
I pushed through high school without telling anyone what I was dealing with. I was embarrassed and convinced it was something I just had to endure. Because of that, I avoided social events and missed out on experiences I wish I had been brave enough to participate in. It wasn’t until my freshman year of college that I finally reached a breaking point and opened up to my parents. By then, I had done enough searching to learn that what I had been dealing with for so long actually had a name: hyperhidrosis.
My parents were incredibly supportive and only wished I had come to them sooner. Together, we explored different treatment options. A few medications didn’t do much for me, but eventually I decided to undergo Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS). The surgery helped, though it didn’t completely eliminate the problem, so I continued using additional methods like prescription antiperspirants, medication, and specialized clothing.
Looking back, growing up with hyperhidrosis was incredibly challenging, and I often felt alone in it. If I could go back, I would have reached out for help much earlier. That’s one of the biggest reasons I created this website. My hope is that anyone struggling with excessive sweating can find understanding, practical information, and solutions that truly make life easier. You don’t have to go through this silently the way I did—and you don’t have to face it alone!