How to tour parks with severe sweating

[TinkGirl28]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but here goes. I suffered from hyperhidrosis (severe sweating of the hands, feet, and armpits) since a child and decided to have surgery about 8 years ago to correct it. As a result, I now have extremely severe sweating all over the rest of my body (when I say severe, I mean that I sweat completely through my clothes). I get very hot along with being sweaty and have to change clothes at least once a day. Normally I try not to go to Disney in warm months, but the weather always seem to bother me, no matter what. I have tried many different things and was wondering if anyone else has this problem. If so, do you have suggestions for how to deal with it while at the parks? I use a hand-held fan and go inside stores and shows to cool off as often as possible. Just wondering how others have dealt with this problem while at WDW. Thank you in advance for any tips you may have.

 

[Nadjalu]

While I don't have your condition I sweat terrible with weather above 78-80degrees and I do mean....terrible.
I have always been what I call "hot blooded" lol and just accept it. Anytime I am at a theme park whether it is WDW or our local park I try and drink plenty of fluids, keep a cloth with me to wipe off access sweat, seek air conditioning frequently...etc.
No secret to dealing with how bad I sweat, I just keep going on. If it gets too bad I will change my clothes but I don't let it stop me.

Sorry probably not much help to you, but thought I would let you know to keep on going...just do the parks as best you can and don't worry about what others think. Hey, most of them probably think you just came off a water ride. At least this is what I tell myself.

Have a good trip!!

 

[lsenquiz]

Hey, most of them probably think you just came off a water ride. QUOTE]

That is what I would think. I have the exact opposite problem(I do not sweat at all). I am not sure what is worse. I get over heated very easily and have had the beginning of heat stroke twice. I am constantly going in the bathroom and getting my cloths wet when it is hot to keep myself from overheating. I keep a soaking wet hat on at all times. I really don't worry too much about what other people think.

 

[amosser]

My husband was burned badly and can only sweat from his head - so he sweats alot We purchased a couple of the small quick dry towels from a local outdoor store. They fold up to about 2"x2" and have a clip on them that he attaches to our backpack and then he can do a quick wipe and be more comfortable.

He also has bought a few of the 'dry fit' material shirts that actually pull the sweat away from his body. Nike make alot of these but many sports store carry their own brand.

It has made a huge difference in his comfort level when we travel which in turn makes for a more enjoyable trip for us all

 

[justgeorgi]

Have you thought of of ways of cooling yourself that might at least make you feel less sweaty? I use the neck coolers that are like a bandana with gel in them. We freeze them in the freezer before we head out and keep them in a ziploc bag when we aren't using them. Just run them under cool water to make them cool.

Also they sell those "bladder" backpacks...for hiking and drinking water but perhaps you could fill it, freeze and wear it?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Maybe some of the sweat-wicking clothing they sell in the athletic department? Also, I've heard of cooling sprays, but I've never tried them. Maybe a pack of baby wipes or body wipes would help for quick freshen-ups.

I gave hyperhydrosis too, but not as severely as you, so let us know if you find something that works.

 

[cyre]

I would suggest looking into tshirts that are 'moisture wicking', they'll usually be in the 'active wear' section of stores, even stores like walmart and target usually carry them. They help cool you down and keep you dry.

 

[JPGonzales]

I don't know where I read it, but those body sprays that have alcohol in them. I bought a bunch from Bath and Body. They come in fruity, flower and even masculine scents. Not only is it refreshing, but the alcohol seems to dry up some of the sweat.

Both my daughter and I have a problem with sweating. I find spritzing a little on our necks, crooks of our arms and backs of our legs helps a lot. I've been known to even stick it up my shirt and give the gals a little mist.

I bet you could even keep it in a cooler with ice for a even more refreshing burst.

Get yourself a bottle of coconut flavor and no one will bet no one will know it's not suntan lotion.

 

[Cayenne]

I have really no advice whatsoever, but I wanted to tell you I sympathize. I'm a high schooler, and was diagnosed just about a month ago with hyperhydrosis of the underarms, after about six months of constant embarrassment at school. I've been put on a prescription anti-perspirant, and we're still working on getting the dosage right to really take care of a problem, and it itches something CRAZY, but it's been a complete Godsend.

The only thing I can say is that for the most part, who cares what these other people think? I definitely understand that it's uncomfortable for you, but don't let yourself get too embarrassed. When are you going to see any of these people ever again? And I don't know about you, but because of the sheer amount of liquid my body was putting off, it NEVER smelled, so you very well could have people believing you just got off a water ride... Heck, jump on a water ride at the beginning of the day to help encourage that thought. And maybe, if you're already soaked, the act of becoming soaked from sweat won't be as unpleasant.

I wish you the very, very best of luck!

 

[lllGurulll]

I normally sweat a lot too but the moisture wicking clothes at Walmart have served me great especially when there is a breeze.

 

[GeneralTso]

Clothing/shirts made of wicking material.
Under Armor makes a lot of that, so does Nike.
I bet you could find something in the athletic/active section.

 

[vicki_c]

I also get overheated easily when it's warm - I tend to be a head sweater which makes my hair look so lovely in the parks!

Anyway, things I find helpful:

• Only going from November - March (and it can still be too hot for me sometimes). But I have been in June and September too.
• the moisture-wicking shirts as mentioned, I have a bunch from UnderArmour.
• taking breaks mid-day, changing clothes (including bra!), so bring lots of extra clothes
• We carry a washcloth from the hotel in a ziplok bag and wet it at water fountains to cool off -- this is a great tip for anyone - great for wiping sticky faces too
• I seek out air conditioned retreats where I can take a break or sit for a few minutes

 

[Yankeemouse]

JPGonzales, thanks, I am going to look for those sprays. Although not much of a "sweat -er" myself, but it sounds refreshing.

Cayenne, my son is in high school, and has armpit sweat like nothing I have ever seen. Even in the sub zero cold this past winter, sweat would run down from his underarms to his elbows. Unbelievable. We haven't gone to the dr. yet, he's using Gillete Clinical which helps a little. What is the name of the prescription stuff you use? I'll probably take him when school gets out.

 

[PhillyMc]

Both Nike and Under Armor make full line of clothing that might help. From years of playing flag football and bike riding I swear by it. I have UA underwear, shorts, compression shirts and t-shirts. I used to get prickely heat constently but if I wear UA or a Nike gear I'm fine. After a ride or a game I'm totally soaked but dry out pretty quick and stay much cooler than with anything else. I've tried the Walmart brand and the Target stuff it just does not work as well as UA or Nike for me. Oh ya the socks are a bit steep but they rock out too.

 

[TinkGirl28]

Thank you to everyone who has posted tips so far. Several of them I have tried before like the moisture wicking clothing (and unfortunately they can't handle the amount of sweat I have). I really liked the idea of the water backpack as my back does sweat really bad and the cool water might help with that. To cayenne and any others who have sweaty armpits, my sister also suffers from hyperhidrosis of her armpits only. She has been receiving botox injections in her armpits for the last several years and LOVES it. She stays dry for up to 6 months after just one or two treatments. It is covered my insurance companies, but only if the doctor writes a letter about necessity. I also will try some of the fruity alcohol containing sprays and see if that works. I also liked the idea of the quick dry towels and will definitely invest in some of those. They will certainly work better than the paper towels I normally use. This condition is especially difficult to deal with because before the surgery I always smelled good. After the surgery, however, I tend not to smell very good from all the sweating in places I didn't know had sweat glands. I should buy stock in deodorant and baby wipes with the amount I use. Anyway, keep the tips coming. It makes me feel better that I am not alone and others sweat alot at Disney too.

 

[kaligal]

There is a support group for this: http://www.sweathelp.org/English/

They can help with this and even help you find a doctor who specializes in it.

Good luck!

 

[Dissy]

I've used:

Avon cooling body spray with alcohol. Love to spray the back of my neck with it.
Avon cooling gel moisturizer -- feels so good on the feet and hands.

ProActive Frogg Togg Chilly Pad - can drape it around neck/head/shoulders.
http://www.amazon.com/frogg-toggs-C...29BK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1304538376&sr=8-2

And THESE: Maxim sensitive for excessive sweating and hyperhidrosis.
http://www.maximsensitive.com/

I wear a visor to keep the sweaty hair off my face and also bring a small hand towel/talcum powder in my bag.

I visit the parks during the cooler months but Oct 2009 was record breaking heat and humidity so you never know. I didn't even activate my photopass CD since we all looked like wet ragdolls.

 

[cazzie]

We wet a couple of small face cloths and put them in the freezer the night before, then put them in a plastic bag and take them with us the next day. They will stay frozen for quite a while and the coldness of the cloth is a great cooler, also take a couple of dry ones too.

 

[lborne]

I don't know where I read it, but those body sprays that have alcohol in them.

Or just put regular 70% rubbing alchohol in a spray bottle. But never spray on your face or other sensative areas. Alchohol evaporates quickly so it cools - and it takes the water with it. Remember rinsing beakers out in high school with alchohol.

Have you tried putting deodorant gell all over your body and not just the under arms?

If you don't like either of those suggestions, you could just make sure to stay wet from water rides and occasionally pouring a cold bottle of water down your back. But I like the gel pack ideas.

 

[jpmandan]

I sweet alot myslef, but not as bad as you it sounds like, sorry for you. I use to have some cool wraps (look in the sporting good section) that you put in ice water,or freezer, it had a gel in it. Than tied it loosley around your neck. That kept me cool. I also use Baking soda and Corn starch (In a sock) as Deoderant or body power. Just pat it on you. Corn Starch also works GREAT on chaffing. Hope you stay COOL on your trip.