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Original poster

Horrendous sweating, particularly from head [sad]

16 replies

Mandy2003 · 01/05/2011 20:47

Think I've had this all my life really, I remember as a child not being able to ride a bike very far because of it and also on foreign holidays all pictures of me look as though I've fallen into the pool fully clothed! It is just so embarrassing.

Basically if I do any exercise, hoovering, or if the weather goes above 22 degrees centigrade (less if its humid) - my head and face POUR with sweat and my face goes horrifically red. I don't sweat much from the rest of my body, and from my feet not at all. When this happens I don't feel any different than usual - no headache, shortness of breath or anything.

I'd kind of forgotten about this problem during the winter but have just started a cleaning job and after half an hour's hoovering I looked dreadful. I passed it off to my employer by saying "sorry, thyroid" although last year I had a thyroid test and it was normal.

I am type 1 diabetic (for the last 45 years), no longer smoke, have fibromyalgia and CFS (cleaning job is to try and get/keep mobile), and am about 2 stone overweight. But as I said, have always had this problem so weight, age (I'm not menopausal) would not be an issue.

Anyone else had/know about this?

OP posts:
Original poster
Mandy2003 · 01/05/2011 20:49

Sorry didn't know you can't have emoticons in titles! But it is making me sad...

OP posts:
PrettyCandles · 01/05/2011 20:54

Go to the GP. It is a form of hyperhydrosis. I have it too. Last year I was prescribed a type of deodorant that has to be applied in a different way to normal. I put it on my forehead - somewhat sceptically - and for the first time that I can remember did not have sweat pouring into and past my eyes all summer. There are also medications that you can take.

PrettyCandles · 01/05/2011 20:59

here

Am36butfeel66 · 01/05/2011 21:51

I agree with PrettyCandles that is sounds like hyperhidrosis. I have it too around my head, particularly around my ears and between my legs and hands.

My dd who is 3.8 has sweaty hands, so I think that she may also get it too..although apparently it doesn't appear really until teenage years, although I remember being embarrassed as a child to hold other people's hands as mine were always wet.

Now that I know what it is it does make it easier to cope with. Knowledge is power!

Mention it to your gp and see what he/she thinks. There are treatments available if you need.

Original poster
Mandy2003 · 02/05/2011 14:23

Thanks, I've looked at loads of hyperhidrosis sites now, can either of you recommend a medication that I could research?

Have seen a product called Sweat Block pads recommended on various sites, they are supposed to be used for underarm sweating but reviewers have used them on other parts of the body. The manufacturers say this is fine but they can't guarantee that they work on other areas.

Do you have any experience of these? Thanks.

OP posts:
cyb · 02/05/2011 14:38

Isnt Botox supposed to stop excessive sweating?

PrettyCandles · 02/05/2011 16:59

The stuff I used last year was Anhydrol Forte. I looked into Botox, but it's onl used for underam sweating, AFAI could find out. Dermatologist I was referred to was fairly useless. She had no idea about Botox, and, apart from prescribing the Anhydrol, her only advice was not to moisturise my forehead because it would be carried down by the sweat and make my eyes sting (Hmm yes, thanks, I've worked that one out already) and to stop wearing a hat. I have to say I was somewhat gobsmacked by that - a dermatologist advising someone to stop wearing a wide-brimmed hat in the summer? Particularly when that someone has just explained that she is allergic to sunlight. Anyway, she was wrong. My hat has a sweatband that wicks perspiration away from my head.

Actually, that might help you! I wear a Tilley hat, and they all have a wicking strip inside which really does carry the perspiration away. If I get really sweaty on my forehead while wearing the hat, the outside of it gets damp, but sweat doesn't role down my face like it does when I'm not wearing the hat.

Original poster
Mandy2003 · 02/05/2011 17:15

Is Anhydrol Forte prescription only? After years of stupid overprescribing my GPs have completely changed their attitude to one of "put up with it!" or pretending not to hear me when I describe a problem. Kind of wary about asking now.

I've seen these today and I think they'd be great for work. First saw them on a cycling website where it describes how they work too. Sound really good!

OP posts:
PrettyCandles · 02/05/2011 17:54

I think you can buy it OTC, possibly one of the items you have to ask gor, rather than just help yourself.

Original poster
Mandy2003 · 05/05/2011 14:15

OK I've bought some Anhydrol Forte from Boots (behind the counter)...

PrettyCandles - please confirm that you found it 100% OK to use on the head? The instructions say pits, hands and feet only several times! Also, did you put it on overnight and wash it off in the morning as they prescribe? How many days between applications were you able to go eventually?

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PrettyCandles · 05/05/2011 16:50

I was also deeply sceptical and went to my GP (whom I trust) to double-check the dermatologist's (who did not impress me) instructions.

I have very sensitive skin, and she told me to use hydrocortisone if I had a reaction, but I had no reaction at all.

Be sure to follow the instructions to the letter - no shortcuts. Where you apply the stuff must be clean and dry, and you should be cool. It is applying the stuff to wet skin, or perspiring shortly afterwards, that triggers the rash.

Because I was so disbelieving and cautious, I did a little at a time, gradually extending the area I covered. So for the first week or so I only applied it to my temples, gradually working my way in so that I covered the whole if my forehead (I'm not saying that you should do this, just that I did).

TBH I don't remember how infrequently I was able eventually to use it. Truly and honestly, I had no problems using it, it worked, and I had no problems when I stopped using it.

Original poster
Mandy2003 · 05/05/2011 20:23

Thanks for the reassurance! As I sweat all over my scalp and neck back as well, did you try putting it on hair-bearing areas at all? I have very very thin hair anyway and am a bit concerned that blocking the pores with aluminium might cause more hair loss?

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PrettyCandles · 05/05/2011 21:08

No, I didn't.

Maybe you should try what I did? Rather than applying it to the whole of your head from the very beginning, start by treating smaller sections and seeing how your body reacts.

Apparently, if you block perspiration in one part of the body, other parts may overcompensate. So it might not be a good idea to block your entire head. Perhaps by treating sections of your head you might find a good compromise. At the very least, not having a sweaty face could make a big difference.

Original poster
Mandy2003 · 06/05/2011 08:42

Thanks! Will let you know how I get on Smile

OP posts:
Mrseffff · 23/08/2021 18:57

Hi Mandy. I know this is years and years old. I really wanted to see how you got on. You sounded exactly where I am now and I just wanted to see if there is any hope of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel x

Mrseffff · 23/08/2021 18:58

@Mandy2003 🤞

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