I’m often asked if I’m worried about passing Hyperhidrosis on to my kids. HH runs in my family, so I know that there is a pretty good chance of passing it on.
I’ve given this a lot of thought for many years. In the past, I was concerned about passing it on because I know the difficulties of HH first hand and I don’t want my children to suffer through it. Children especially have trouble with HH in school and social activities. Years ago, a part of me thought my future children would be angry with me for passing it on.
However, after more thought and discussion with family members, I can say that although there is a high chance of passing HH on to my kids, it doesn’t deter me from wanting to have my own children. I have always wanted to be a mom.
In fact, if my children are born with HH, I will be incredibly well-equipped and be their biggest support. I will be able to share coping techniques and be knowledgeable about treatments. I will be a huge resource and am confident I will be able to help them.
Just a Little Sweat 
I struggled with that for years. I knew I wanted kids but I didn’t want them to suffer the way I have. But I decided my desire to have kids of mine own was stronger than my fear of their trials. So now I have 3 and they have HH too. Some more than others. It makes me sad but I know it will only make them stronger and I will always be their biggest support. I love my kids and it’s ok 🙂
@Rachel, How old are your kids, are they aware of it yet, what have their responses been if you’ve told them it’s hereditary? thanks
John,
They are 12, 10 and 6. I haven’t told them it’s an actual hereditary condition yet. But they complain and have asked why their hands and feet are so sweaty all the time. My 2 girls seem to have it worse than my boy. I don’t want to come right out and talk about it until they ask me more because I remember being oblivious to it as a kid and I was fine. But as soon as someone teased me as a kid, it got worse. It’s always worse if I’m thinking/worrying about it.
Hi John and Rachel! Thanks for leaving your comments. I also was oblivious to my HH as a young kid. However, I remember as I got older, other kids weren’t so oblivious. They would say “ew” when I was instructed to hold their hand for an activity or game. I remember talking to my mom about this after school one day. She told me that I have a condition and that I’d had it since I was a baby. At that time, I don’t think we even know the name of the condition! I remember feeling a little upset at first actually. I remember saying something like: “And you never told me before now?” On the positive side, I look back and think that maybe my oblivion made my hands sweat less. I’m not sure.
To add another topic into this mix, what do you all think about suggesting treatments to your kids with HH? Growing up, some of the treatments I used caused discomfort. Certain Dri for my underarms was pretty uncomfortable and made my skin dry and irritated. Even now, the Iontophoresis device can cause discomfort. My fiance asks me if I will have our future children use these treatments if they are born with HH. I know that he trusts my judgement and wouldn’t think any differently no matter what I said. However, I’m not sure what my answer is. I don’t want to intentionally cause my children pain. I think that I will suggest treatments when they are a little older. I first started treatments in my early teens. I will have to upfront with them about the potential discomfort, but demonstrate the positive outcomes. After educating my child about all the pros and cons, I think I will let my child decide if he or she wants to try specific treatments.
I agree with you completely, Caryn. My kids have asked a few times and I just tell them that everyone has trials and that I sweat a lot too…it’s just something we have to deal with. I used Drysol when I was younger and into college but that’s all my doctors ever gave me. I haven’t tried anything else and haven’t used Drysol in many years. I just tough it out I guess… it’s hard. But I am completely on board if my kids ask for treatment… I will do whatever I can to help them. Anything. My parents didn’t help me. It was really hard on me emotionally and socially. I will not stand idly by as my kids struggle… I will definitely sign them out of square dancing in gym class if that ever comes up!! 😉 (yes… that was a big nightmare for me)
I will never make them do any sort of treatment. I answer their questions and will help them when they ask for help like your mom did. I’m glad there’s more awareness about HH now and I’m very grateful for your bravery in blogging about it. I have suffered in silence far too long (I’m 37 now). I really hope and pray that better treatments and possibly safer surgery will be available in my children’s lifetime.
Rachel, IMO I would be proactive in talking to your children about it, especially if they are becoming more aware. I’m also 37 and have had palmar, plantar HH since around the age of 12. It didn’t impact me until 8th or 9th grade. However, no one in my immediate family sufferes from it, and being a guy I suppose it was easier to hide, but it’s something that I have never discussed openly. In fact the only person I have really talked openly about it with is my wife. I don’t have children, yet, but being recently married I can’t help but think of passing this to my children. It’s one of my biggest fears that I don’t want to see realized. In the event I had a child who also began suffering, it would be better for to hear what’s going on from a parent, as opposed to stumbling to it online, or having to be made fun of, or feel awkward. I had no idea what HH was until I saw a commercial about it, then went to see a dermatologist.
While most HH people will avoid situations, kids should not be given special excuses why they can not, or should be excused from doing something they’re perfectly capable of. And it could actually make the situation worse by providing a excuse at young age. HH will then be viewed as a crutch and potentially preclude them from doing something that’s very important, like asking a girl, guy to dance, applying for a job etc. They will encounter enough obstacles throughout their lives that putting up more barriers will not help. If anything, having them deal with ‘uncomfortable’ situations will make them more prepared when they enter college, the working world and adult life. Best wishes, stay in touch . John
I’ve just stumbled upon this blog and really enjoyed reading your posts. I’m also a Palmer / plantar HH sufferer and I have gone on to have two beautiful children. They are only 6 and 3 years old now and I don’t see any signs of the dreaded sweaty palms but I constantly worry about it 😦 I first remember having really sweaty palms ( noticeable to others) by about age 8 or 9 but gradually got worse over time. Early 20’s was the worst!!!! I ended up having ETS and it was a good choice for me. Feet still sweat but hands don’t. I get CS but only on quite extremely hot days ( I live in Australia so the summers are pretty uncomfortable for me) . I can’t stop worrying about if I have passed on this disease. . I know there is nothing I can do about it and no point worrying about it etc but I can’t help it . I know all the horrible times it caused me in the past . I actually wish if they end up with it that’s it’s only underarms affected as there are more effective treatment options at least for that. Palmar is the hardest to treat and most debilitating ( in my experience !!! ) anyway, appreciate the blog, things for sharing 🙂
Hi Maree, thanks for your comment and I’m so glad you stumbled upon my blog! It sounds like ETS was very successful for you! I’m also happy to hear that your kids are sweat free. You are absolutely right- there is no point worrying about it. You will be a huge support for your kids no matter what!
Thanks 🙂 I know I will at the very least understand them and provide comfort and support (something I lacked growing up) if my kids have inherited it. My parents just didnt understand and just thought it was a “little bit of sweat). Just about the genetics part, I find it interesting to see how it spreads through families. Neither of my parents suffered HH, nor their parents ( to their knowledge) nor any cousins/aunts or uncles on either side to any ones knowlege. However both myself AND my brother ended up with palmer/plantar HH and my poor bro also bad underarm sweater and facial blushing 😦 BUT our sister isnt affected at all. I am so thankful I had my bro though as we understood each other. He went through the ETS first in his early 20’s with great success , then I followed after him. We had it done about a decade ago now. His CS is MUCH worse than mine (his HH originally was more severe than mine too), some of my side effects have improved over time, some have gotten worse. So, anyway, in our families case at least, it seemed to skip one and possibly 2 generations entirely before ended up on me and my brother (lucky us hey!) So, I cling to that as hope that my girls will remain unscathed. No way to know for sure though, lets hope that there is more research and more minimally evasive non surgical solutions in the future. Ps. I think you are quite inspirational to do what you do on stage with HH!
Thanks for all your comments on this post! I also hope that we learn more about HH and genetics in the future. It is definitely hereditary, but I see it skip around too. My mom doesn’t have HH, but her sister does. I have HH, but my siblings don’t. I wonder who in my family had it before my aunt. I don’t think I will ever know. Most people with HH don’t talk about it openly nowadays…I’m sure people never talked about it years and years ago.