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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Excessive sweating

31 replies

londonba · 27/07/2023 21:39

Aibu to be frustrated with my GP about their response to my problem of excessive sweating? It’s something I have dealt with my entire life, my GP said I just naturally run hot and left it there. I feel like such a weirdo as no one else seems to deal with this?

It’s not my body that gets excessively sweaty but my face. I walked 15 minutes to work today and arrived at work with uncontrollable face sweat. It looks shocking when you see me fully sweat, people get concerned.

Sweat will drip off my face steadily from my nose, cheeks, jaw, it will completely soak my scalp and hair, my skin gets red and irritated. Sweat will keep coming for around 20 minutes too, so it’s not something a quick wipe will resolve. I’ll be dripping in sweat for 20 minutes surrounded by colleagues. I’m sure the public setting doesn’t help me cool down quicker either.

i suppose I do run hot eg I could have bare legs in winter and feel okay, but aside from a bikini what can I even wear on my summer commute to work to prevent me from feeling like this? Just feel like GP brushed me off.

OP posts:
Dombasle · 27/07/2023 21:50

Botox can help.

BillyWhizz16 · 27/07/2023 22:14

It sounds like you have the same condition as I do. It’s called hyperhydrosis and causes excess sweating usually of the hands and feet but can also be face and scalp or whole body. I too suffer with my face and also get it on my back. I take medication called pro-banthine. They are tablets my GP prescribed and have been miraculous for me. They do have some unpleasant side effects such as a very dry mouth and you can’t eat anything or they stop working. I just take them for work and the difference has been life changing. Speak to your doctor again and don’t be fobbed off.

WWPPSLKD · 27/07/2023 22:26

I use odaban on my face after it was recommended on here. I’ve never been more grateful for mumsnet! It does sting a bit when you first use it.

tt9 · 27/07/2023 22:28

have you thought about speaking to Prince Andrew? he seems to have some solutions...

sorry no actual advice to give.

Aparecium · 27/07/2023 23:07

Happens to me, too. It's got much worse since menopause - and it's nothing to do with hot flushes.

This product was recommended here on MN, and it is excellent. I apply it to clean, scrupulously dry skin, and my face stays dry almost day. I apply it to forehead, in front of ears, hairline all around my head, and the back of my neck.

Original poster
londonba · 28/07/2023 05:04

Thanks, I will buy those products. I’d love to get Botox but it says they inject in the forehead. Is that enough to stop sweating all over the face? I feel like my forehead isn’t as problematic as my lower face is

OP posts:
Original poster
londonba · 10/09/2023 17:38

Update: so I bought the products mentioned here, any advice on how to use them? With the Neat 3B gel, can you wear under makeup and if so, how long do you leave it to set before foundation?

and with the antiperspirant mist- just apply overnight?

OP posts:
Aparecium · 10/09/2023 18:05

You can apply makeup over the Neat 3B. Just wait until it is completely dry. I brush my teeth after applying it and it's dry when I finish after 2-3 minutes.

Normal UK heat, the gel keeps my face dry all day. Recent outrageously un-British heat, the effect wears off after a few hours. Bring on Autumn!

Original poster
londonba · 10/09/2023 19:13

@Aparecium thank you! I tried it out during this random heatwave and my makeup started pilling over the gel. However now I’m guessing the gel didn’t set properly due to the extreme temperatures

OP posts:
Aparecium · 10/09/2023 19:15

The hotter it is, the faster the gel dries. But if I apply it to damp skin, or skin that has had anything else applied to it first, I find it does not dry well.

HeechulOppa · 10/09/2023 19:18

Can these products be used elsewhere on the body? I have this exact problem and also sweat excessively on my arms and torso.

Original poster
londonba · 10/09/2023 19:23

@Aparecium thanks. I’ll give it another whirl tomorrow

@HeechulOppa the instructions state you can use both all over the body! The Odaban antiperspirant mist irritates my face a bit, going to try and use it on my body overnight and see what happens tomorrow.

OP posts:
WWPPSLKD · 10/09/2023 19:23

The odaban spray you spray onto cotton wool then use that to apply it. Make sure your face is dry and don’t overdo it, you don’t need much.

Odaban can be used on the body too.

WWPPSLKD · 10/09/2023 19:24

You can just spray it onto your body, but make sure your skin is dry. For sensitive skin apply some powder first.

MsNorris · 10/09/2023 19:29

My DS has hyperhidrosis on his hands and feet, his hands would constantly drip with sweat which really impacted him playing sport and being able to write at school - he would sweat through the paper.
I would recommend seeing a dermatologist who can check all your bloods etc (could be thyroid etc).
Botox was an option, but not one I would consider on my DS they can also cut your sweat glands but that sounded a bit drastic.
We have had excellent results with an Iontophersis machine which basically passes a current through you. I was sceptical but it worked brilliantly, we bought our own medicine and my DS uses for a few days once a month or so to keep topped up. Machine is great for hands and feet (you put them in a tray, wrap them in a flannel attached to a current) just not sure how it works on other areas of the body.

NotAdultingToday · 10/09/2023 19:32

Omg im so glad i found this thread i have been miserable. I have always had a problem with sweating but was worse on my palms and underarms (started in puberty but got mostly under control), but now has moved to my face, its awful make up melts off and i cant do anything with my hair other than have it tied away from my face!

I was blaming my under active thyroid but recent blood tests have come back borderline so its not that, i am over weight but its since my last pregnancy that is has got bad on my face so dont think i can blame being fat either (i blame everything on that!)

I have a doctors appointment booked for fri though not sure how much they can do? Def going to get the neat 3b

Very grateful for this thread

Original poster
londonba · 10/09/2023 19:38

@NotAdultingToday since posting, I had a bunch of blood tests which all came back normal. Things like ferritin, B12 and folate were slightly low but in a normal range. I’m going to try supplementing to see if that helps. The past week has been hell with this heat, my face/scalp has been drenched! I’m slightly overweight by 5kg, hoping to shift that within a month and see what happens

OP posts:
GeraldThePufferSponge · 10/09/2023 19:45

I suffer with hyperhidrosis and I find a couple of things helpful:

  • Trial different antiperspirants e.g. PerspiGuard, Sweatblock, Carpe etc and apply them to bone-dry skin at night. They can take a few goes to build up with regular use so be patient with them
  • There are medications your GP can try such as Oxybutynin (gives me a very dry mouth but I find it useful)
  • Carrying a mini fan and tissues for a quick cool down on the go can help

I sympathise, it can be really rubbish.

NotAdultingToday · 10/09/2023 19:45

I have had a bunch of blood test recently too testing for something else but all came back normal range.
Which is annoying as i have a few other symptoms that show my thyroid isnt right but when its borderline they wont do anything!

I had been eating healthy but have gone off track recently need to get back on it. I think losing weight will help but obviously takes time.

Same my hair has just been soaked and my face dripping, im not great with the heat anyway but this has just been hideous. I literally have been surviving the days

ssunflowers · 10/09/2023 19:47

I could have wrote this myself...my GP also fobbing it off as 'women problems'...

NotAdultingToday · 10/09/2023 19:47

@GeraldThePufferSponge these a helpful tips thank you!

I got an John Lewis lollypop fan for my birthday, has been such a life saver!

ferrousfumarate · 10/09/2023 19:51

Could it be hypothyroidism? A family member has exactly the same thing, gets a sweaty face to such an extent that it's running off her and it's caused by her thyroid. Unfortunately docs will fob you off about that too!

DyslexicPoster · 10/09/2023 19:55

I have this but around my hair line. My sweat smells like vinager and my hb1ac is just below pre diabetes. The go just told me to wash more ☹️

india65 · 10/09/2023 19:56

I have suffered with excessive sweating under my arms all my life until I was 50 and discovered Odaban. Life changing. I was a teacher it was very embarrassing. I have now discovered a natural deodorant Pitt Balm which I buy from Refill Your Boots Whitchurch Shropshire. It's base ingredient is bicarbonate of soda. Gutted it's going to be discontinued. However, alternative products coming in. Keep you posted.