Archive for Clothing & Footwear
Best Socks For Plantar Hyperhidrosis
Posted by: · on November 10, 2010 | Comments
I had been meaning to search out the best socks for you for quite a while when Melissa (click on her name if you want to read a memory she shared here) made a reference to her favorite socks while we were chatting by text over the weekend.
I had not really taken the category of socks very seriously, as to me, a sock is a sock. What have I been missing out on?! That’s what I get for being squeamish about feet my whole life (There. Now you know another Secret of mine.). Even the words “sweaty feet” still make me cringe. Must. Get. Used-to-it.
Sweaty feet. Sweaty feet. Sweaty feet. Sweaty feet. Sorry– still curling upper lip… Anyhoo,
Herewith, a list of 4 brands of the Best Socks for Moisture Management I could find on the Big Bad Web:
Thorlos (approx. $12-$16 per pair) This company has a very large selection of socks engineered specifically for just about any activity you can think of. They focus on fit, padding, and moisture management. These socks all have padding and are made with acrylic fibers that wick moisture away from the foot. It is difficult to find a review of any of their products that is negative. The only complaint I have seen is that they are a bit pricey– but as my mother says, “You get what you pay for”. Amazon.com has an entire Thorlos Store.
Balega (approx. $9-$14 per pair) This South African company makes socks primarily geared toward running. These socks feature padding on the footbed as well as a moisture management system called DryNamix that helps to move moisture away from the foot. Because this company focuses primarily on one sport, the selection is good but not as varied as Thoros. Amazon.com has a full selection of Balega Socks
SmartWool (approx $8-$25 per pair) Made of merino wool, SmartWool reportedly developed a special process to manufacture socks that are extra-absorbent, odor-resistant (both natural properties of wool), soft, and not itchy (un-itchy? itch-free? non-itchy?). Special care should be taken in washing and drying these socks, cuz, they’re, like, wool. I have seen many positive reviews of these socks being warm yet not stifling as well as very absorbent and quick-drying, yet I remain unconvinced they can really absorb enough sweat for US. A big positive? They come in an amazing array of styles and fun colors and patterns. Again, Amazon.com has a huge selection of SmartWool socks
DryMax (most styles under $10 per pair) This is the company that seems to take moisture management most seriously, even declaring on their website in all caps, “MOISTURE IS THE ENEMY” (hey, I like these folks!). They have what they call a Moisture Removal System in which they use two different fibers to knit the sock, then use what they call a Dual Layer Sweat Removal System in the design to ensure moisture stays away from your skin. These socks are Melissa’s Sock of Choice. They are available in mainly white and black (with a smattering of other colors) in a variety of styles. This brand was even mentioned in “Dermatology Times” (2007) as a recommended product for managing hyperhidrosis. So there ya go. Once again, our pals at Amazon.com have the best selection of DryMax Socks
HONORABLE MENTION: While we are on the subject of umm… sweaty feet…. Read up on Summer Soles absorbent inserts on my page for Footwear.
Did I mention? All of the socks listed come in Men’s, and Women’s styles, and also Kids in some cases.
Ugh. Could use a pair of DryMax right now after writing about this subject all afternoon… Sweaty feet…Sweaty feet… Sweaty feet… Nope. Still not helping.
Hyperhidrosis Clothing Ideas: Hide the Sweat With Style!
Posted by: · on September 27, 2010 | Comments***Type "long cardigan" into keyword box!***
Just as I was despairing– despairing, I say– of finding anything useful and stylish to recommend to you for Autumn, I found APART. This European website has a fantastic selection of long cardigans to wear for the coming cooler days.
I have always been on the lookout for a cardigan that is long enough to conceal any below the waist sweating, and they are not very easy to find. This item tends to be pricey, but the ones I have found are actually on the low end of what is out there this season (believe me, I looked!!). Fortunately, APART has a special promotion going right now!
Finding pants that do not “show” sweat marks is still really tricky… butt (sorry couldn’t resist 
) wearing a beautiful long cardigan can really save the day!!
FOR A LIMITED TIME, YOU CAN CLICK ON THE AD BELOW AND SAVE $40!
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***WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE SITE, TYPE “LONG CARDIGAN” INTO THE SEARCH/KEYWORD BOX***
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The selection is fantastic!
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Life with Hyperhidrosis: The Struggle to be “Normal”
Posted by: · on July 15, 2010 | CommentsLast night I went downtown to meet up with my husband and have dinner with him and his new co-workers. Being aware that I was meeting several new, potentially important people in my husband’s new career would be a more than slightly stressful prospect for anyone. For me (or anyone dealing with Hyperhidrosis), it was a potential nightmare.
I woke up this morning with many thoughts and emotions swimming around in my head. Foremost was the question: Did I pull it off? If you also have HH, you know what I mean by that: Could anyone tell I was sweating? I would venture a guess and say, I don’t think so. Whew– I think… That is half my problem; you can never really know for certain what other people notice or what their judgment is if they do notice. I try to tell myself that I don’t care, but sometimes, I can’t help it. I do.
Well, if no one noticed last night, the only reason I was able to pull that off was because of what I wore and how I conducted myself. It is truly amazing the degree that clothing choices can make a difference in a situation like last night. And last night was like the Hyperhidrosis Trifecta: 1.) Hot, extremely humid night that kicked off with waiting for a train which was, naturally, late 2.) Seeing husband’s new boss for only the second time, meeting his wife, along with about a dozen other people at the company where my husband just started (thankfully, every single one was really, really nice) 3.) Sitting down in a very hot, packed restaurant and staying seated for about 3 hours.
How many times did I half-stand and pull the fabric off my legs? Twist my skirt around? I was startled by how bad this episode was and how nobody else seemed to be overheated. It could have been so much worse, though. If I had not worn a jersey knit, beautifully patterned maxi dress that I was confident would show nothing, I would have sat there in a near-panic for the entire evening. The food was great, the company I was in was even better; I was enjoying myself in that compartmentalized way that you do when you are struggling with HH silently. You know– trying hard to ignore the discomfort, acting as though you haven’t a care in the world, pushing down the anxiety and the sadness. Pasting that smile on your face.
By the end of the night, I was exhausted. I know my advice is all over this website: Hyperhidrosis is just a disorder… It is what you have, not who you are… If you are uncomfortable about hiding an episode, try honesty… You are not alone… I believe all of these things. I try to practice, literally, what I preach. Sometimes, though, I just yearn to be what I know all the sprays, lotions, products, and even surgery can never make me be: normal. But that’s ok. It will have to be. So, I do the best I can, wearing two very important components: the right clothes and a smile.
Sweaty? Don’t Get Your Undies in a Bunch: Wrapp ‘Em!
Posted by: · on June 23, 2010 | CommentsIt has been a fairly warm and steamy June here, by Chicago standards. I have been trying a few different products, as I posted on my HyperhidrosisAndMe Facebook page. Two products are antiperspirants, and one is an undergarment clothing shield, called a Wrapp. I will cover the antiperspirants tomorrow, so here’s the deal about the Wrapp:
Wrapps are handmade by a very resourceful woman named Denise. Denise lives in lovely, humid Florida and has always found it difficult managing her sweating in, well, is there a delicate way to put this? The bikini zone, shall we say? Really, most of us with Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis do deal with sweating in that area, although it is rarely mentioned. It is hard enough being upfront about sweating in your hands, feet, underarms and… it just seems to be too much to say, “and groin”. Eesh.
Well, managing this problem has not been addressed at all, really, so Denise decided to take matters into her own hands. What she has created is a fabric, full liner for the panty that “wraps”– hence the name– around, much like a sanitary pad does, but it absorbs much better, is not disposable, and thus does not feel as though one is wearing paper. It is made with washable, absorbent terry cloth and covered in soft muslin. Wrapps keep the moisture from reaching your outer layer of clothing. She has even designed a very attractive case, which will accommodate 2 Wrapps. Wrapps are available in orders of 2, 6, or 12. The lovely handmade case, or “pouch”, as well as free shipping, are included with every order.
I have comfortably worn the Wrapps that Denise sent me a few times, and there have been several times when I have not worn one and regretted it. Once you wear one and experience the comfort and confidence Wrapps engenders, you really want to wear them more often than not. You can read more of my personal reaction and thoughts regarding Wrapps on my Women’s Undergarments page. Tomorrow, I will be reviewing Klima Surefoot Spray for plantar sweating and Kiehl’s Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant Cream. I think a great combination would be to use the Kiehl’s Anti-Perspirant Cream along with the Wrapps, to control both moisture and… fragrance… in that area. Definitely could give a confidence boost on a hot summer day!!
Found a Shopping Site to Link You to Hyperhidrosis Clothing Picks!
Posted by: · on May 28, 2010 | CommentsIf you recall, I quite selflessly went shopping last week to follow up on a tip that there were Hyperhidrosis-friendly tops to be found at a local department store (oh, ok, it’s Von Maur. Interest-free credit card, free shipping, great service… if you live near one, you gotta go.) What I found was a great selection of fine-gauge, nylon mesh tops made by Sweet Pea by Stacy Frati. They were beautiful, and the styles featuring a print would be a “safe” pick for the woman with hyperhidrosis.
After poking around the Web a bit, I stumbled upon ShopStyle.com. Many of you are probably already aware of this site, but as a person who has placed a self-imposed ban on shopping for anything fun or unnecessary, discovering this virtual mall, this online mecca of fashion… was a eureka moment!
ShopStyle.com has a terrific selection of Sweet Pea, and that includes….drumroll….Plus Sizes! Absolutely beautiful printed tops and dresses in regular and plus sizes can be found… click through here to start shopping!
Black? In Summer? Fugged-aboud-it.
Hyperhidrosis Footwear and Women’s Tops That Don’t Show Sweat!
Posted by: · on May 17, 2010 | CommentsOhhh, I went shopping today. This was not such an uncommon occurrence Back In The Day, as my sister and I call it. But, since money has been a bit tight, I have limited my shopping trips to quick runs to Old Navy for the kids and such. However, a friend recently told me that she saw several tops made of nylon mesh in our favorite department store near my house. I’ve had a few friends on the lookout for nylon mesh ever since I realized that my favorite top from last summer is made of it. This particular top has never shown any sweat marks, is cool and comfortable, repels water, and is gorgeous. I talk about it on my page for Women’s Clothing options.
So I felt that it was my duty to do Research for This Blog and follow up on those leads. Indeed, my friend was correct! There were at least 10 tops there made of nylon mesh by the brand Sweet Pea by Stacy Frati. They were colorful and beautifully cut. I bought one that is cream with a black floral design (ok, the least colorful but I loved the drape-y neckline) for $68. Not cheap, but not exorbitantly expensive, either. I have contacted Sweet Pea to find out if there is a website I can link you to if you wanted to shop for them online. The patterned tops passed the water bottle test, but do be careful of solid colors 
One more major find was the Reevana flip flop by Adidas. This flip flop has the absorbent fitFOAM that I live in during the summer, but the thong has a really CUTE ribbon that loops onto the thong. Sorry, hard to describe, but look at my Footwear page, it’s on the Amazon Carousel. I believe I actually squealed when I saw it.
Shopping for you people was such a chore. You’re welcome.
