Friday, March 23, 2007

Stop Sweating - Does Your Kid Have A Sweating Problem?

Excessive sweating starts in junior high school---an awful time to have this problem. Scientists believe that excessive sweating is genetic; it's passed on from parent to child. But even if YOU don't have excessive sweat, your son or daughter might. Kids are self-conscious enough as it is, so they may be too embarrassed to seek help.

Even from mom and dad.

If your kid does have a sweating problem, it's a good bet that she is doing everything she can to hide it. She will:

Take extra shirts to school

Always keep her hands at her sides

Sit in the back of class and avoid participating

Pay more attention to her sweating than to the teacher

Cut class if she is sweating is too bad

Wear oversized black clothes and jackets

Avoid parties, athletic events, and the prom

It's hard to imagine how much sweat comes out of a kid with hyperhidrosis. Some kids sweat so much that their body is drenched in sweat. They get cold from all that sweat. It would be like wearing a sopping wet undershirt underneath a sweater.

When a kid works up the nerve to talk her parents, many parents don't believe that something is wrong. "You're not washing correctly," mom might say. Or dad may just look at his kid like she's a weirdo.

Kids at school may have found out and are taunting your son or daughter all day. When a kid finally tells someone, it's usually because she can't cope anymore.

Tips for kids

  • When you approach mom or dad, give them specific examples. Tell them what happens to you in school. Make a list of times and places when sweating prevented you from doing something fun or being successful.

  • If you're unsure about how your parents will react, get help from another trusted adult---teacher, coach, pastor, guidance counselor, brother, sister. Together, you can have a real conversation with your parents about what's going on.

Excessive sweating is a real problem that often goes untreated in kids, because kids don't have the means to seek treatment on their own. Parents, watch for warning signs; and if your kid approaches you, be sympathetic. Your kid has most likely been dealing with this for a long time without you knowing.

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