If you’re living with hyperhidrosis, you’re already aware of the impact that excessive sweating can have on your life — but chances are strong that other people in your orbit don’t know as much as they could about the disease. That’s why it’s important to raise awareness for the medical condition — particularly in November, which is Hyperhidrosis Awareness Month.

Raising awareness doesn’t just help other people understand your condition. MyHyperhidrosisTeam members have found that gaining more knowledge about the condition helps them make more informed decisions about treatments and strengthens their feelings of self-reliance.

“There just isn't enough awareness … it's so frustrating, especially when it's affecting my job,” shared one MyHyperhidrosisTeam member. Another said, “Raising awareness would make such a difference. I have started telling people about it instead of trying to hide it.”

Start by Raising Your Own Awareness

Before you can create public awareness by sharing information with others, it’s a good idea to understand the specifics about hyperhidrosis. Learn more about hyperhidrosis causes, signs and symptoms, and treatment options.

In people with hyperhidrosis, the nerves responsible for triggering the sweat glands are overactive. There are two types of hyperhidrosis. In primary focal hyperhidrosis, there is no underlying cause for the condition, and sweating tends to occur in specific areas — especially the underarms, hands and feet, and face or head. In secondary generalized hyperhidrosis, sweating is caused by another health condition or a medication, and sweating tends to occur over larger areas of the body.

In the United States, nearly 5 percent of the population — around 15 million people — have hyperhidrosis. It is likely that many more people have hyperhidrosis than have been formally diagnosed.

Share Awareness Resources

After you’re armed with information about hyperhidrosis, you can share it with others. The fastest and least expensive way for this kind of advocacy is through social media. You can post information about hyperhidrosis, share details about the condition, and join communities of other people who are also working to raise awareness about hyperhidrosis.

To ensure your messages on social media reach as many people as possible, consider using an appropriate hyperhidrosis-related hashtag, like #HyperhidrosisAwarenessMonth, #KnowSweat, or #KnowSweat2021. This way, your posts will be seen by more people who have the same interests, and they’re more likely to share and comment.

You can follow the International Hyperhidrosis Society on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Social media helps raise awareness for the condition, and it also allows other people with hyperhidrosis to realize they aren’t alone. Joining a hyperhidrosis community on social media, such as MyHyperhidrosisTeam, can also help you connect with others.

Participate in Awareness Activities

Another way to raise awareness about hyperhidrosis is to participate in an activity dedicated to the cause. You can walk or run for hyperhidrosis, play bingo, host a silent auction or fundraiser, or even create a unique event that works for your interests. You can help other people understand more about hyperhidrosis while having fun and raising money for the cause.

If you are able to, you can also donate to the International Hyperhidrosis Society to support hyperhidrosis research and advocacy.

Connect With Others Who Understand

On MyHyperhidrosisTeam, more than 20,000 people living with hyperhidrosis come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with the condition.

Share your hyperhidrosis journey in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.