To think this ‘diagnosis’ is a bit odd.

[Aqueo517]

DS 12 twisted his ankle, all ok it’s been strapped up. While we were being seen in the minor injuries unit the emergency nurse practitioner said he thought DS had hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). He said his foot (which he examining was wet). He starting talking about treatment options and then printed out some information for me to take away. It was very warm in the room, they had fans going plus DS was obviously in pain.

It just seemed an odd thing to bring up. DS is now bombarding me with questions about it.

Bit odd isn’t it to suggest a diagnosis of something when you’re there for something completely different.

It might or might not be a medical condition. But if it is, it's far from an emergency. If you've a ton of stuff going on in your life OP, you can safely put this on the back burner for now.

(I had it in my teens and 20s, btw. I was prescribed a special anti-perspirant)

To everyone else demanding OP goes to see a doctor, would you really do this first?

You wouldn’t try something from a pharmacist or see a pharmacist at all? Even though this is the advice given by the NHS in the first instance and OP isn’t actually worried he has any underlying medical condition?

This is why the NHS is in trouble. And you have people suggesting connective tissue disorders!

I use triple dry. I don’t like Dryclor as it stings but it’s effective. Only buy him cotton clothing and maybe some odour shoe insoles so they don’t get smelly. Dryclor is usually what a GP or pharmacist would advise first. If he really gets upset about it or bothered and nothing else works then see a GP

I would also suggest using Sure spray deodorant on sweaty feet. Someone on here recommended it tome and it has been amazing.

The nurse hasn't offered a diagnosis, all she's done is point out an unusual symptom for a person of his age. It's a symptom which may or may not have some bearing on his future so it's worth getting it checked out. I'm an ex-nurse but I now work in learning support in a school. When I see a child with a symptom that I know to be unusual I tend to pass my observation on to their guidance teacher to do with what they wish.

Would you rather I didn't do that? Would I be accused of something negative? I've recognised symptoms that due to my training others maybe wouldn't, even parents.

To everyone else demanding OP goes to see a doctor, would you really do this first?

Why wouldn't you see a GP about an unusual symptom? It's probably not related to a more serious condition but it could be and that needs to be ruled out before you just pop to the chemist for super-duper antiperspirant.

because a pharmacist can actually give medical advice and you don’t need an appointment. They went to medical school. They know a lot about medicines and health conditions. Why does everyone have such a stigma about using them?! They can’t give you a blood test but they can advise you on your symptoms

@Chocolatedeficitdisorder

And you are a nurse!

I’m not advising her to ask carol on the till in boots im talking about a medical professional who can give advice. They are such an under used resource in this country

I was recently given a CT scan for a dental problem and as a result of that I'm being treated for a lung problem that showed up on the scan!
OH went in for a sore back and came out with kidney cancer. I’m so glad they were looking beyond his spine. We wouldn’t have known otherwise.

Would you go to a Pharmacist with a breast lump? Most of them are benign aren't they?

Pharmacists don't order blood tests or any other diagnostic tests which would identify a more serious disorder.

I'm very aware of what a Pharmacist can offer, but if an unusual symptom presents in a child they will always refer to a GP rather than treat with OTC remedies. Hyperhydrosis can have several causes which need to be excluded.

Pharmacists are certainly underused for common conditions which many people go to their GP for, coughs, colds and skin rashes are easily checked by a Pharmacist for example. Less usual symptoms aren't suitable for a Pharmacist.

Clammy hands isn't a common thing is it?

I am a doctor. Confused by people suggesting he should have EDS ruled out on the basis of one sprained ankle

OP, hyperhydrosis is literally just the medical term for “sweaty”. It is something to go to the GP about if it actually bothers your DS. If not, then what’s the point? Additionally, you can rule the diagnosis out yourself if you can see that he isn’t sweaty.

A doctor will do nothing if you go in and say “my son once had a sweaty foot when it was really hot but otherwise isn’t bothered by sweating at all”. They will prescribe antiperspirants if he is bothered by the sweating, or more invasive treatments if those fail.

You’ve got a lot on

So can’t be arsed to pursue a GP app for your son

Aren’t GPs busy enough without someone making an appointment for their son’s sweaty foot which isn’t actually causing them any problems?!

OP I’d just keep an eye on it. If it becomes noticeable or a problem then consider GP. I really don’t think a GP will do much about a sweaty foot...

I would have ignored that. He was probably in pain, stressed and nervous, it's no wonder he was sweating! Thats what the body does when there's adrenaline

Yes, because a professional nurse totally wouldn't have considered all these things and - oh wait, yes she would, because she's a nurse and sees people who are stressed and in pain literally every working day of her life, and knows the difference between someone who is a bit clammy from adrenaline and someone who might be sweating excessively and atypically.

As others have said, if it doesn't bother your son then it's not an issue and you don't need to do anything about it. If it does bother him, you can speak to a pharmacist about products that can help. It's not a big deal, really.

DS had the most swesty feet at 12. He would walk with sock and leave sweaty marks on the floor. This came with a quite distressing smell? This lasted for a year or so, DS learned to wash his feet twice a day. The excessive seating stopped as his hormones regulated themselves.

Well he could have just been sweating normally, but if not, then I think it was kind of the nurse to give him an opportunity to learn about excessive sweating. I had severe hiperhidrosis as a teenager, and it took me months to pluck up the courage to see a GP. Mine was mainly palmar and underarm sweating, and it made my life a misery. I’d have quite liked someone to spontaneously offer me help for it in a situation like this.

Excessive sweating can be a thing for people with EDS, especially at night.

God people on here are bonkers.

I've just googled hyperhidrosis, as my DH is excessively sweaty, and on the NHS website it gives some tips to reduce sweating, and then it says to visit your GP if it affects your life and you really can't deal with it yourself. So the OP is doing exactly the right thing be just watching and waiting.

I hope your son's injury is healing well, OP.

If we all had a blood test and saw a GP every time we noticed something different from usual we would all be at a standstill

You can not compare a sweaty foot to a breast lump. Ridiculous

Nurse touched his foot and felt it was wet and suggested hyper hydrosis and have some leaflets. If child has literally no other causes for concerns you would be going to the GP for a sweaty foot

We don’t know what shoes or socks he was wearing for a start or how hot the room was or if he was in pain or anxious

Excess sweating isn’t necessarily an indicator or something awful especially if you don’t have one other symptom and you haven’t really noticed it before and it doesn’t bother you.

OP is being sensible keeping an eye on her DS

His ankle was being treated...the practioner noticed his ankle was sweaty..I would be grateful they mentioned it if they were concerned not annoyed!

ittakes2 I didn’t say I was annoyed.

Lovemenorca I haven’t said that I ‘can’t be arsed’ to visit the gp because I’ve got a lot on.

Thanks again for all the sensible, constructive advise, it’s been very helpful.

Do I go to the gp and say ‘a nurse thinks DS has hyperhidrosis because his foot was sweaty when he was being examined’

Well, yes. It's just a possibility. I wouldn't make an urgent appointment though. Does he notice he finds it difficult to hold pens at school? I have a relative with it who is a hairdresser and he found holding scissors tricky with sweaty hands, He has botox in his palm now twice a year and that's it-job done. Try not to worry. I think the nurse was just doing her job.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/excessive-sweating-hyperhidrosis/

I know what you mean OP, it's another thing to deal with and worry about.

BUT my god we are lucky to have a free service at the point of need that not only treats our more obvious ailments AND on top of that also flags other issues.

I'm in and out of hospital a fair amount with my epilepsy and sometimes often feel frustrated with the NHS but I take a step back and realise how lucky I am to have life saving care for free.

As I say I know it's shit at the time to add something else to your list of things to worry about but I'm sure she was being genuinely nice and professional to flag another potential issue.

Hope DS is doing ok

ThatCurlyGirl absolutely, the nhs is incredible. We were triaged, X-rayed and out within an hour. We’ve had a lot to do with them over the years and I’m always very grateful for the service they provide.

People have taken my post as complaining and I really wasn’t. I was fishing for replies agreeing that it was an odd ‘diagnosis’ to make based on one sweaty foot in a hot clinic. I was just after some reassurance really, which I’ve had (in amongst the usual nonsense).