Difficulty with shopping?

[gummy bear]

I suffer with quite severe facial sweating and I wondered if anyone on this forum experiences a sudden attack of the sweats when walking into a shop? It literally happens within seconds unless there is an aircon blasting out then I'm fine. I don't understand why this would happen...

 

[HeadFace]

I suffer with quite severe facial sweating and I wondered if anyone on this forum experiences a sudden attack of the sweats when walking into a shop? It literally happens within seconds unless there is an aircon blasting out then I'm fine. I don't understand why this would happen...

Yup. Grocery stores, resturaunts, cafe's... Whenever I walk into anything like that. And it's even worse if I'm a returning customer - or even WORSE than that - a "regular" at the place.

 

[gummy bear]

Yup. Grocery stores, resturaunts, cafe's... Whenever I walk into anything like that. And it's even worse if I'm a returning customer - or even WORSE than that - a "regular" at the place.

Thanks HeadFace. Nice to know I'm not alone in this. Any idea why the hell this happens? Is it an anxiety issue for you?

 

[fitftw]

happens to me when walking into class...people look at me like "ew why is he covered in sweat" and I hate it.

 

[HeadFace]

Thanks HeadFace. Nice to know I'm not alone in this. Any idea why the hell this happens? Is it an anxiety issue for you?

Yeah, it is. If I'm at a resturaunt and it's time to order, I sometimes stutter, or order something else instead. If it's at a grocery store/liquor store or anything like that, I just feel like everyone's looking and judging... So sometimes I get scared and buy something different, or less quantity

 

[PunkRotten]

happens to me when walking into class...people look at me like "ew why is he covered in sweat" and I hate it.

So you are a mind reader? How do you know what people think?

 

[pedro123]

Grocery store just walk into the frozen food section.

It happens to me when I'm shopping and I constantly have to try on different things.

 

[deadwetter]

You are not alone in your store meltdowns. It's funny how HH sufferers go through (and share) some of the exact same experiences. True story.....I was in Walmart a while back getting some everyday items. I only went inside to get socks and under shirts....simple enough right? But it always takes me a little extra time to sort through their sizes and brands (and chaos) to find the ones that I like. Of course it was a tad warm and the next thing I know I'm having a full blown forehead meltdown! It was a bad one. I tried to walk it off and find an air vent to cool down but no luck. So now I'm pacing in front of the Fruit of the Looms trying desperately to stop the leak. Oh great.....it's getting worse. Suddenly there was a tall man in a blue suit directly in front of me asking me if I needed any help. He was obviously an undercover security officer and I'm guessing that my excessive sweating and pacing made me look like a potential shoplifter on camera. (Do people really steal socks?) I told him no and decided to "PUNT" as I left without buying anything. Funny......I have also been profiled as a potential smuggler while sweating in customs. But HH is the real criminal here.....stealing our ability to do these simple everyday things without embarrassment. Things that people without HH take for granted. I'm fairly certain that "store sweating" is anxiety driven. If you're like me then you hope every store, mall or restaurant has their AC kicking like judo. When we walk in and it is even the slightest bit warm we panic. The panic feeds the HH flame and ....well you know the rest. Anyway, sweating while shopping.....the classic "fight or flight" scenario. I'm not sure which one is more humiliating.......to stay or to run? ? ? ? ?

 

[beckiboo]

I get the sweating when you go to pay at a counter, it feels like a rush of anxiety and my hands sweat like mad! I imagine they must think im a shoplifter or something which makes it worse!

 

[Silentknight]

I don't sweat but I do have severe social anxiety and going shopping or even buying something from a fast food restaurant used to be a huge struggle for me and it still is to some point though not as bad as it was. I tend to stutter and speak very very softly and quietly when I do have to say something on top of the anxiety feelings.

 

[Rubacund]

If you have dripping hands, basic things like getting coin change at a store is an anxiety inducing event.

Also yeah the facial sweating while waiting in the checkout line sucks, a baseball cap works fine for me.

 

[beckiboo]

^^lol yeah sometimes when im buying clothes I use them to cover up my hands while waiting in line..but when you get to the counter you have to hand the till person damp clothes - wonder if they notice?! - or care - I just think it makes me look shady like im nervous because im stealing. I've tried breathing slowly to try and calm my heart rate but usually HH wins. I want to know why this triggers my HH and makes me anxious..afer all youre just buying something its not something to be scared about!

 

[MaliceInWickedland]

The same thing happens to me. I've lived here in my town for 10 years so I tend to be a returning customer to certain places very often and I feel extremely awkward because I think that the employees find it annoying that I usually show up or I get anxious at just the thought that I've been noticed. The thing I hate the most is when you go to a restaurant and the person that seats customers walks you through rows of seats. That's when I really break out in a sweat, especially when I get that dreading feeling that all eyes are on me.

 

[geordielasstx]

Happens to me also daily...I hate walking into shops and feeling the sweat begin..want to run and hide or waiting around to pay for things and the sweat dripping down my head, face, neck, back, chest all over...

I started a hyperhidrosis support group and have made two documentaries with UK TV and TLC USA on showing how facial, cranial, generalized HH affects me on a daily basics.

I hate it....but have to cope the best I can. I have had facial and cranial Botox and this really has helped me.

You don't have to suffer alone, were all sufferers and non-profit, volunteers who all suffer. We have a VSB store where you can buy clothing that helps hide or clothing for HH.

Please come visit us at Very Sweaty Betty

Thanks,

Anne xxx

 

[Piglet Boy]

Did you try ask the doctor about it? It seems like a case of over-reactive nerves.