Woman With Hyperhidrosis, An Excessive Sweating Condition, On The Treatment That Transformed Her Life | HuffPost Life

This Woman Took Six Months Off Work Because Of Excessive Sweating

PA Real Life Features

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Editor's Note: Since we published this story, which was provided to The Huffington Post UK by PA Real Life Features, it has emerged that some of the information provided was incorrect.
According to PR Week, Esme De Silva is, in fact, a senior account executive at London agency Fuel PR named Leandra Cardozo, who works on the Odaban account.
PA editor-in-chief Pete Clifton told PR Week: "We took the story in good faith, and we would never have provided it had we known we were given inaccurate information. We have contacted our customers who used the story to let them know and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
"We endeavour to have a robust relationship with PR agencies and ensure all appropriate checks are made with stories. However, there is often an element of trust involved."
Gillian Waddell, managing director at Fuel PR, maintains that everything in the article is correct apart from the name of case study's identity: "We provided a press release about an embarrassing personal condition and in line with the case study's request, we kept her identity private as we would do in all cases with all case studies, requesting discretion and privacy when discussing a highly personal, complex and deeply private health issue."
The Huffington Post UK apologise for any misinformation.

A 25-year-old woman has spoken for the first time about how she was forced to take six months off work – because she could not stop sweating.

Esme De Silva’s anxiety over the excessive sweating she had suffered since her teenager years grew so severe, she took a sabbatical from her job in public relations.

De Silva, of Maidenhead, Berkshire, said her self-esteem was at an all time low after struggling with years of cruel comments and nasty looks from strangers.

But now, she is finally on the road to rebuilding her confidence – and is even engaged.

Esme De Silva, 25, suffers from hyperhidrosis

“I got teased at school because of my sweating and, over the years, I built up a paranoia that people were talking about or laughing at me,” she said.

“The sweating took over my life. At school, I had to wash my uniform every single night and make sure I always had spray, deodorant, perfume and a change of clothes in my bag.

“Shopping can be a nightmare. I have to be really careful with materials as anything synthetic makes the problem ten times worse, but that’s what most high street clothes are made from.

“Travelling also had an effect. I’d come up from riding on the tube feeling soaked and really self-conscious.”

By 2014, De Silva’s anxiety around her hyperhidrosis – or excessive sweating – had become so unbearable she took a six month sabbatical from work.

With her confidence in tatters she began to feel depressed, and the long term relationship she was in at the time broke down.

“I was a nervous wreck at work,” she said. “I felt like I couldn’t do my job to the best of my ability.

“All I could think about was whether or not people were staring at me. I was so paranoid the sweat was visible through my clothes and on my hands and face.”

Over the years, De Silva has had a string of consultations with doctors, who tried everything from changing her diet to wearing armpit shields to absorb excessive sweat, but nothing worked.

When medics suggested the next step was to explore the option of injecting De Silva’s armpits with Botox, she began researching alternative treatments.

“I couldn’t bear the idea of injections,” she revealed.

SEE ALSO:
What Causes Excessive Sweating? Doctor Says Drinking Too Much Water May Be To Blame
Scientists Claim To Have Created A Perfume That Smells Better The More You Sweat
Why I'm Having Botox - In my Armpits [Blog]

De Silva explained how a friend taught her about Odaban, an antiperspirant applied overnight to help combat excessive sweating.

Since using it, the 25-year-old says she has found a new lease of life. She has begun a new freelance career and is even planning her wedding to fiancé Anthony, 26, who proposed when the pair holidayed to Cuba at the end of 2014.

“It did me good to take some time out and work through my anxiety,” she said.

“I feel like a different person now. There’s no pressure or paranoia that people are talking about me. I don’t have to worry about sweat soaking right through my clothes as it did before.

“My condition had a massive effect on previous relationships but now I can relax and plan my future with Anthony.”

Normal Vs. Abnormal Sweating

Amount Of Sweat(01 of16)

The volume or amount you sweat can be a giveaway when it comes to normal vs. abnormal sweating. Everyone sweats a certain amount a day, but if you are excessively sweating you might be suffering from hyperhidrosis, in which the body's cooling mechanism is so overactive that it produces five times the amount of sweat that you need in order to maintain consistent body temperature. (credit:Getty Images)

How Annoying Is it?(02 of16)

Normal: Sweating being an occasional inconvenience.Abnormal: Sweating negatively impacting the overall quality of your life.

When Are You Sweating?(03 of16)

Normal: Sweating while exercising.Abnormal: Sweating profusely when sitting in a cold room, watching TV.

How Are Your Clothes Doing?(04 of16)

Normal: Staining clothes because of sweat while exercising.Abnormal: Staining clothes with sweat while sitting in a temperature-controlled room.

Do You Keep Your Cool At Work?(05 of16)

Abnormal: If sweating is interfering with work and your overall professionalism.

Do Your Friends Notice?(06 of16)

Abnormal: If sweating is impacting your social life. If on a daily basis, you are not hugging someone or refuse to shake hands due to sweat.

Seasonal Changes(07 of16)

Normal: When temperatures rise -- for any reason -- the sweat glands kick in to produce more sweat. This is why we sweat more in the summer.Abnormal: Sweating regardless of the heat (year round).

Bedtime(08 of16)

Abnormal: Sweating while sleeping is abnormal.

Mental Health State(09 of16)

Normal: Sweating with anxiety.Abnormal: Sweating when calm.

Something You Ate?(10 of16)

Normal: Sweating while consuming spicy food.Abnormal: Sweating while eating ice cream.

It's Impossible to Keep Clothes Dry(11 of16)

Excessive underarm sweating is called axillary hyperhidrosis. One clue as to whether you have the condition is the way you dress. If you don't want to wear light- or bright-colored tops because you're afraid that the stains from your underarm sweating will be too obvious, or you avoid delicate fabrics such as silk because you're afraid they'll get ruined, you're likely dealing with excessive underarm sweat. Men with underarm hyperhidrosis are also likely to keep their suit jackets on, even when it's warm, because they're afraid that people will see sweat rings around their armpits on their shirts. (credit:Alamy)

You Can't Stop Thinking About It(12 of16)

When you have underarm hyperhidrosis, many times it's difficult to think about anything else. You worry that others will notice that your shirt is always soaked, thanks to excessive underarm sweat. You may become self-conscious and begin to withdraw, avoiding physical contact with other people. You may even be reluctant to dance at parties or work out at the gym for fear it will make your excessive sweating worse. (credit:Getty Images)

Deodorants Don't Do Enough(13 of16)

If you're experiencing excessive underarm sweating, ordinary over-the-counter deodorants won't work, no matter how often you apply them. You might have some success with antiperspirants that have a high concentration of aluminum chloride, which binds to, and therefore blocks, sweat glands, but at times even that isn't enough. Asking your doctor for a prescription-strength antiperspirant is the next step. Some people who sweat too much have success with prescription antiperspirant, but occasionally further treatment is necessary, notes Jacob DeLaRosa, MD, chief of cardiac and endovascular surgery at Idaho State University's Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello.. (credit:Getty Images)

You're Sweating For No Reason(14 of16)

You expect to sweat when you work out or when you're about to give a big speech in front of a large audience, but if your armpits drip for no clear reason — breaking out in a heavy sweat any time of the day or night — you're likely experiencing symptoms of excessive sweating, or underarm hyperhidrosis.People with underarm hyperhidrosis are also likely to sweat profusely from other parts of the body, such as their hands, feet, and groin — areas where sweat glands are highly concentrated, says Charles Griff, MD, a dermatologist and medical director of the Dermatology Depot Med Spa in West Palm Beach, Fla. Hyperhidrosis of the palms is known as palmar hyperhidrosis. When you have this condition, you may have difficulty holding a pen or pencil and writing, driving a car, and using a computer keyboard, all because your hands are slippery. (credit:Getty Images)

You Shower All the Time(15 of16)

Underarm hyperhidrosis has nothing to do with hygiene, says Dr. DeLaRosa. Nonetheless, people with hyperhidrosis find they soak through their shirts soon after putting them on, so they shower constantly and change their clothes several times a day. This may keep you dry temporarily, but when you have hyperhidrosis, showering frequently, even with strong soaps and shower gels, won't stop the problem. But talking to your doctor or dermatologist about treatment will, says DeLaRosa. (credit:Getty Images)

You're Sloshing In Your Shoes(16 of16)

Some people with excessive underarm sweat also have plantar hyperhidrosis, which is excessive sweating of the soles of the feet. When your feet sweat too much, your socks and shoes get wet, leaving you feeling as if you've stepped in a puddle. You can become embarrassed about taking off your shoes and socks in public places, like the locker room at the gym or the shoe store, in part because of the ensuing odor. You may have crossed sandals off your wardrobe list because your feet are too slippery, and walking barefoot can be a problem when wet footprints get left behind. (credit:Alamy)

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