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Throughout the month of November, our team at Upstream 360 has helped to support the inaugural Hyperhidrosis Awareness Month. Hyperhidrosis is a debilitating disease in which the body’s mechanism for cooling itself is overactive — so overactive that sufferers may sweat uncontrollably, often four or five times more than is necessary. This disease impacts nearly 5% of the global population – more than the entire population of the United States. To quote a pre-eminent expert in the field, Dr. David Pariser, “While hyperhidrosis may not be a life-threatening condition, it’s deeply life-altering, with overwhelming effects on social, professional, and home life.”

The driving force behind establishing this Awareness Month is the International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHhS). “Founded in 2003 by an elite team of world-respected physicians and experts in hyperhidrosis research, the International Hyperhidrosis Society is the only independent, non-profit, global organization that strives to improve quality of life among those affected by excessive sweating.” (SweatHelp.org). Led by Lisa Pieretti, this organization is leading an intense and impassioned quest for finding better treatments, and ultimately a cure.

My personal journey with the IHhS began more than a decade ago when I was working to develop the Secret Clinical Strength antiperspirant at Procter & Gamble. Our two organizations formed a strong partnership that led to a deeper understanding of the condition, a greater awareness of the extreme social and emotional impact on sufferers, and the design of a new category of underarm antiperspirants that helped to alleviate some symptoms. This relationship has remained strong over the years, and I am blessed that even upon my leaving P&G that this journey has continued.

Now at Upstream 360, my team has partnered with the IHhS to develop content to drive education, community, and support for this inaugural Hyperhidrosis Awareness Month. In managing the social media efforts, we have developed videos, infographics, and messaging to achieve this mission. And while we are proud of the work that we have developed, we humbly acknowledge that the most impactful messages came from the community of hyperhidrosis sufferers themselves.

I talk often in these blogs about the power of a good 6-word story in its ability to paint a concise and insightful picture. As part of this social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter, we asked the community to “In 6 words or less, describe the story of hyperhidrosis in your life.” The responses were amazing and often heart-wrenching. Hundreds of responders told their tales and managed to capture the heart, mind, and soul of what these sufferers experience each and every day.

Sweat pours, tears fall, neither stops.

Uncontrollable sweating that drowns your dreams.

Hyperhidrosis is anxiety. Anxiety is Hyperhidrosis.

Embarrassment, causing stress, causing more sweat.

Chronic discomfort resulting in frequent anxiety.

Sweat hides me. Prison of shame.

…powerful stories that sincerely and succinctly show the sadness, the stigma, and the anxiety of so many who are suffering in silence.

So as this inaugural Hyperhidrosis Awareness Month comes to a close, again I am humbled to have been a part of driving awareness for this underserved condition. If you are touched by these stories, if you wish to learn more, or if you want to donate to the cause, please visit the IHhS website for more information.