Sweat & Anxiety Help

[nw6675]

I have had an "above the shoulders" sweat issue (TMI LOL) pretty much my entire adult life. It is particularly prevalent when I go from humidity outside to inside A/C and when I am nervous or anxious. My face, temples, neck just pour.

We are visiting a new church tonight for dinner after my daughter's VBS. Unfortunately, both triggers of temperature and nerves will be in place. I already know I am going to be embarrassed by my obvious issue.

Does anyone have any tips to help? I have tried Carpe face lotion, but it is weird and makes it feel worse. My DD will be upset if I don't go.

 

[Kitty 34]

I really can't offer any remedies but I know how anxiety can be brutal some times. Good luck to you and your family. I'm sure it will all go well just from the personality "vibe" I get from you here on the DIS.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Do you have rosacea by any chance? What about one of those fans that hangs around your neck? Light cotton clothing? A cool shower shortly before you go? Relaxation techniques? I wish you luck!

 

[Christine]

I'm so sorry. I am a "head sweater." Fortunately it doesn't happen with nerves; however, it happens when I get the least bit hot and then my head sweats for a LONG time. It's awful. None of the products out there that other people use to control hyperhidrosis work above the shoulders--or rather they aren't practical above the shoulders.

SInce this has been going on a long time, I'm sure you've mentioned it to your doctor, but often times they don't take us seriously. I've heard that you could take something like propanolol (beta blocker) on an as-needed basis and that will kind of control those autonaumic/anxiety issues to some extent. You'd just have to get it from a doctor. It's usually harmless unless you have an already-low heartrate.

 

[LoveSpringsteen]

Have you tried a headband of some sort? I’m thinking of those wider cloth ones. It won’t stop the sweat, but it may help catch some of it. Maybe another type of small kerchief around your neck? I found some cooling bandanas on Amazon. I do realize these won’t stop the sweating, but maybe they can be a help.

 

[mrodgers]

I'm so sorry. I am a "head sweater." Fortunately it doesn't happen with nerves; however, it happens when I get the least bit hot and then my head sweats for a LONG time. It's awful. None of the products out there that other people use to control hyperhidrosis work above the shoulders--or rather they aren't practical above the shoulders.

I sweat all over. My body has no regulation of heat. If I'm moving, I will heat up until I hit the floor. No one takes me seriously when 8 hours into my shift I am hanging on things to not pass out and hit the floor. Unfortunately in the middle of winter it can be 100° where I work. Fortunately I am in and out of the AC usually so I get chance to cool back down. Days I'm out on the floor for hours, I look like I was just standing in a hurricane. The sweat is a literal stream pouring out of the bottom of my shirt.

I ticked off the HR girl. They were having a job fair that no one shows up for since we are now below the bottom of the barrel in starting pay, below retail and fast food. I was passing by and saw them all in the office so I went into the office. "Can I help you?" in her usual condescending attitude. I just said, "I'm here just to show the folks what they are in for coming here to work." I could have wrung out the sweat in my shirt and filled a large glass. After 9 hours I wasn't sure I was going to make it home.

Nothing I can do about the sweat and heat either. I can't even work because I got warned of a write-up because I had sweat streaming into my eyes and took my glasses off to wipe my face. Big no-no to take your safety glasses off but no one will give me an alternative of either wiping it off and out of my eyes, or standing in the way in the middle of the floor until November when it finally cools down.

 

[AuntieMe3]

I try to keep a cloth of some kind to pat the sweat, as I have the same problem. Sometimes I just have a napkin or paper towel and try to sit a minute when I first get someplace so I can take a couple breathes and calm myself. I've even been known to go straight to the bathroom, put some water on my face, go in a stall to calm down a minute while I dry my face with a paper towel. It works for me since I don't wear makeup so I don't have to worry about messing it up.

 

[disney212]

I find my makeup setting spay keeps my face from being sweaty. I use the NYX brand.

 

[CdnCarrie]

I ticked off the HR girl. They were having a job fair that no one shows up for since we are now below the bottom of the barrel in starting pay, below retail and fast food. I was passing by and saw them all in the office so I went into the office. "Can I help you?" in her usual condescending attitude. I just said, "I'm here just to show the folks what they are in for coming here to work." I could have wrung out the sweat in my shirt and filled a large glass. After 9 hours I wasn't sure I was going to make it home.

Haven't you worked there for years? Maybe time to look elsewhere.

OP I sympathize. I also sweat when I'm uncomfortable or nervous. It's embarrassing.

 

[nw6675]

I really can't offer any remedies but I know how anxiety can be brutal some times. Good luck to you and your family. I'm sure it will all go well just from the personality "vibe" I get from you here on the DIS.

Thank you!! I just read this out loud to DH because it was so sweet and made my day.

 

[Kitty 34]

Thank you!! I just read this out loud to DH because it was so sweet and made my day.

Well I'm glad. Have a great time at your event.

 

[mrodgers]

Haven't you worked there for years? Maybe time to look elsewhere.

OP I sympathize. I also sweat when I'm uncomfortable or nervous. It's embarrassing.

I'm not sure any more if people even read posts any more before responding. You think I'm still at the starting rate after 28 years? I don't think it would be wise to take a $15 paycut and start over somewhere else to work my way up a 2nd time...

 

[NotUrsula]

Doesn't help really quickly, but FYI, botox injections can be used to help reduce sweating in smaller areas.

 

[Taxtherich12]

My hands, feet and underarms were always sweaty. Since I went on an anti anxiety med it has helped tremendously. Def look into that

 

[nw6675]

We didn't stay for dinner when we picked her up. I decided that a meal was not the right event to interact for the first time. She was ok with going home since we leave for NC at 6 am tomorrow.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will definitely look into them. My mom has rosacea, so that is definitely a possibility. I take anxiety and other meds, but this particular issue just seems to stay!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We didn't stay for dinner when we picked her up. I decided that a meal was not the right event to interact for the first time. She was ok with going home since we leave for NC at 6 am tomorrow.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will definitely look into them. My mom has rosacea, so that is definitely a possibility. I take anxiety and other meds, but this particular issue just seems to stay!

I would definitely look into it. I didn’t know I had it till not too long ago. Was sort of surprised when my dermatologist mentioned it one day sort of as an aside, but now it makes perfect sense. I get like a lobster in the heat, and it’s really hard to cool down. It’s gotten worse as I’ve gotten older.

Something to take a look at, just to show that it could definitely be related:

https://www.rosacea.org/rosacea-review/2013/spring/new-study-shows-heat-increases-nerve-activity

And some tips:

https://www.rosacea.org/blog/2014/june/whats-sweating-got-to-do-with-it

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm not sure any more if people even read posts any more before responding. You think I'm still at the starting rate after 28 years? I don't think it would be wise to take a $15 paycut and start over somewhere else to work my way up a 2nd time...

No, it wouldn't make sense to start at the bottom, but after 28 years in one industry I would think you would be more than qualified to move to another company as a supervisor.