Contact Information: CONTACT: Merilee Kern 858-577-0206
Moms Not Taking Kids' Medical Condition Seriously, Experts Find
Daughters Desperate for Dryness Bemoan Ill-Informed Moms; Nonprofit Organization's "Take 10 for 10" Program Encourages Moms to Have an Empathetic 10-Minute, 10-Question Discussion This Mother's Day With Daughters Complaining of Chronic Sweating
| Source: International Hyperhidrosis Society
PHILADELPHIA, PA--(Marketwire - April 24, 2008) - Often wracked with shame, embarrassment
and self-loathing, an astonishing number of young girls suffering from
hyperhidrosis -- chronic excessive sweating -- find themselves victimized
not only by the disease itself, but also from the difficulty in eliciting
their mother's compassion and aid to effectively treat this misunderstood
medical condition. This according to the International Hyperhidrosis
Society (IHHS) -- a nonprofit offering the most objective, credible and
timely information available on the subject along with expert and
peer-based community support.
"Hundreds of thousands of teenage girls around the world suffer from
hyperhidrosis, but their emotional and physical suffering is not taken
seriously by uninformed mothers who dismiss their daughter's complaints due
simply to being uninformed and unaware," said Lisa J. Pieretti, executive
director of the IHHS. "Desperate, alone, depressed and afraid, far too
many young girls ultimately suffer in silence, learning how to live with a
condition that could readily be managed if they -- and their mothers --
only knew how."
Pieretti knows all too well the plight of these young survivors, as the
IHHS receives hundreds of letters from girls desperate for the validation
they are not getting from their mother, also pleading for a solution --
anything that will stop the incessant, uncomfortable and humiliating
sweating that ruins their clothes, soaks their school papers and erodes
their self esteem.
"All too often, children suffering from chronic or excessive sweating are
told to 'just deal,' that 'everyone sweats,' and that they're 'making a big
deal about nothing,'" notes Pieretti. "Far too many of these kids get no
sympathy or help as they struggle with a serious issue that adversely
impacts their quality of life."
Consider this heartbreaking note from 14-year old Jennifer, who laments, "I
suffer from really sweaty hands, underarms and feet. I have been to see my
doctor and he prescribed [a prescription antiperspirant] but this hasn't
worked. He said that there is nothing else that can be done. My mom keeps
telling me that it's natural to sweat and that it's only my hormones and I
just wish she would listen to me! It's not my hormones -- it's stained
clothes, wet paper and me having to wear [layers of] dark colors all the
time to hide sweat patches! This isn't due to exercise or living in a hot
place, and I am not overweight at all! Please help!"
To help foster dialogue on the subject between mothers and daughters, this
Mother's Day the IHHS will launch "Take 10 for 10" -- a disease awareness
initiative encouraging moms to take just 10-minutes out of their holiday to
conduct a 10-question assessment with their daughters to discern if the
child may, in fact, have hyperhidrosis -- and to generally discuss how
excessive sweating has adversely impacted her daughter's life.
Mothers and daughters may download this 10-question assessment free of
charge -- and generally access a wealth of information related to
hyperhidrosis -- from the IHHS Web site at www.SweatHelp.org.
To help and support young people concerned -- or just curious -- about
excessive sweating, antiperspirants, body odor and other taboo
sweat-related subjects, the IHHS also offers a "Teen Sweat 101" -- a free
50-page, full-color workbook providing useful hyperhidrosis information
along with diary pages and thought-provoking, engaging exercises, such as
the "Sweat-O-Meter," "Sweat CSI" and "Color Sweatastrophe," among others.
Those interested in receiving this free workbook should contact
Support@SweatHelp.org with "Teen Sweat 101" as the message subject and
their complete mailing address in the body. Workbook recipients will also
receive IHHS's free e-newsletter SweatSolutions -- the only newsletter
available that focuses solely on hyperhidrosis.
About the International Hyperhidrosis Society
The International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHHS) is a non-profit organization
promoting the awareness of and research into the condition of excessive
sweating (hyperhidrosis). Through their advocacy and programming, IHHS
provides sufferers with access to treatment, and educates physicians about
hyperhidrosis. Founded in 2003, the goal of IHHS is to improve the quality
of life and diminish the suffering of those affected by this medical
condition. Those interested may access the complete IHHS Press Room online
at http://www.SweatHelp.org/English/MP_Home.asp. Press contact: Merilee
Kern, merilee@kerncommunications.com, 858-577-0206.
Note to Editors: Available for interview: IHHS executive director Lisa J.
Pieretti, a prominent voice of authority on the subject, David M. Pariser,
M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.A.D., 2008 president-elect of the American Academy of
Dermatology, and/or individuals suffering from hyperhidrosis. Campaign
related high-resolution artwork available for download from
www.kerncommunications.com/Ten4Ten.zip.