A woman suffering from a condition that causes excessive sweating every day has shared her early symptoms.
Darcie Hamilton, hailing from Scotland, UK, first noticed her excessive sweating at the age of 10. This was significantly more than what her peers experienced.
After being bullied at school due to her condition, she left education at 14. Two years later, she received a diagnosis of hyperhidrosis, which doctors described as an exceptionally severe case.
Now, more than ten years later, the condition has worsened for Darcie. The 22-year-old experiences sweating of up to three liters daily.
To manage her condition, she carries extra clothes for changing and showers at least five times a day.
The Cleveland Clinic describes hyperhidrosis as a condition where the body sweats excessively, often without an obvious reason.
This condition can lead to sweating during rest, in cold weather, or at unexpected moments.
Studies indicate that around three percent of adults in the US, aged between 20 and 60, suffer from hyperhidrosis.
In an interview with This Morning, Darcie recalled her initial symptoms appearing during childhood, particularly noticeable during physical activities.
She shared: “When I was in school, primary school, I noticed that participating in physical activities made me sweat much more than my classmates.
“I would sweat from the top of my armpits down to nearly my waist, noticeably and significantly more than others.”
Her time at school was challenging due to bullying, with peers labeling her as ‘dirty’.
As she grew older, the condition worsened, leading to chafing, rashes, blisters, and painful sores, exacerbated by certain fabrics.
“It consumed my life; I stayed in bed all day, avoiding social interactions and feeling embarrassed,” she explained.
“I struggled with fluid intake, leading to migraines and constant exhaustion due to the symptoms.”
Darcie needed to drink five liters of water daily to prevent dehydration, and the excessive sweating contributed to several skin issues, including contact dermatitis, a form of eczema.
She described the pain: “The sores on my armpits and hands were agonizing. I would have hundreds of tiny blisters on my hands.”
Though she was initially offered Botox injections through the NHS to manage the symptoms, this option was later withdrawn, forcing her to seek treatment privately.
Darcie described the impact of the treatment: “I had one session, and it transformed my life for over a year. I experienced no symptoms.
“I became a totally different person, full of confidence. I felt like I could socialize with friends and wear what I wanted.”