A Reader Shares His Own Hyperhidrosis Journey

There are allegedly 178 million of us in the world who suffer from Hyperhidrosis.  Due to the secrecy we often impose upon ourselves, I would venture a guess and say that number is significantly higher.  Each one of us has a story.

I love love that some of you feel compelled to contact me in order to share your own story.  It is therapeutic for you to unburden yourself, and it is so comforting to the rest of us to read about what you have gone through.  It is a win-win!

I was contacted over last weekend by a gentleman who goes by the name of Wolfmaan.  His may be one of the most unique stories about life with Hyperhidrosis there is.  You may identify with some of what he describes having gone through, but I wonder if any of us would have the chutzpa to address his biggest problem in quite the way he has!

“My name is Wolfmaan. My entire life I have suffered from Hyperhidrosis.

When I was young, I dreaded winter because I had to wear shoes and gloves.  This meant that I would go through three, uncomfortable and horrific stages.

Sweating: Covered or not, my hands and feet would sweat so badly it would literally drip off my hands and feet. Doctors prescribed dozens of treatments from electric shocks, to moisturisers – nothing worked.

Swelling: If I ignored the sweating, my body would strike back. Wearing shoes and socks, or gloves for an entire day would cause my hands and feet to swell. The swelling would get painful, itchy, and I would be unable to concentrate whatsoever on anything.

Peeling: If I ignored the sweating and swelling, my body had yet another trick. It would give me dozens of small painful blisters which felt like slivers and would then peel and leave sore, soft skin underneath.

I was constantly in trouble for not wearing shoes at school, and the often at work as I grew older the same thing would happen.

No one seemed to be able to understand I didn’t just like to go barefoot – I needed to go barefoot. Even wearing flip-flops my feet would sweat, peel, and swell very badly.

It was only after the advent of the internet I learned that the easiest thing to do was stay barefoot. There are dozens of barefoot support groups available and I read that many people were in the same situation. It was a relief to learn this. I was not alone.

After dozens of bizarre treatments which did not work, I had discovered a natural solution which suited me fine, cost me little money, and I could do long term.

Speaking with my doctor, he advised me that if I did not want the expensive botox injections, or risky surgery – then going barefoot may be a viable option. My doctor also assured me that this was a disability and nothing to be ashamed about.

I have been consistently barefoot for about four years now and have found a great improvement in how I feel. I no longer dread going to work, or school and having my feet literally rot while I am wearing shoes and socks.

My doctor was supportive and gave me a note for my employer or school to advise them I am required to go barefoot due to my disability.

It’s been a life changing choice which has brought many challenges, adventure and excitement.

I will sometimes get asked to leave a store, or get strange looks from people. I learned to understand that anyone who has a disability would get strange looks. Whether in a wheelchair, missing a limb, or in my case going barefoot. I learned to deal with the social implications and understand them.

You can certainly learn to deal with hyperhidrosis in creative ways.

The most important thing to remember is you are not alone and there are support groups out there to help you deal with it.”

If you visit Wolmaan’s website at www.Wolfmaan.com, you can see how he has embraced life barefoot.  This is amazing to me– I believe it takes a great deal of courage to just do what you need to do regardless of the reaction of others.

We are different; most of us go to great lengths to conceal that and conform.  Perhaps once in awhile the better option is to make your own path.  Just don’t try to walk in Wolfmaan’s shoes.  He hasn’t got any!

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