PLEASE HELP!!! so embarassed about sweating!

Published

Specializes in Transgender Medicine.

OMG!!! I just started my first CNA job today at a Med/Surg floor in a hospital, and I am so embarassed about my sweating. Please help me find a solution to this, I feel like crawling in a hole. It started fine, but 20 minutes into my shift, I was sweating, and bad. We weren't doing anything particularly hard, just vitals and I&O. But, I caught a glimpse of my backside in a mirror, and I was plastered with sweat from my back to my butt and even some on my legs. It's so horrible. I naturally sweat at the drop of a hat, but I didn't think it would show up so splendidly in scrubs. It was like that for about two hours, then we had a calm period, and I dried off. But as soon as we started moving again, back came the "wet" back and butt. I am so mortified right now because all of the patients and some of the staff were looking at me oddly all shift. The lady training me said she knows someone else who sweats as badly as I do and that she understands. However, it doesn't make me feel good to know that everytime I work, I will have an episode of sweat-butt. Is there anyone else experiencing this out there, and if so, have you found a solution? Please help me, I feel so awful. Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

don't be embarrassed...common problem. first, what type of scrubs are you wearing? if not already, wear 100% cotton. poly/cotton blend make me HOT. they just don't breathe. second, if you haven't already done so, see a dermatologist. there are some treatments available for hyperhidrosis, but i'm not sure about the back. mostly see axilla and/or palms.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Transgender Medicine.

Thanks, all the scrubs I've seen are only poly/cotton, so I didn't think there were cotton ones. I'll probably have to buy them online, but at least my backside would be dry. Thanks again.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

First of all, you aren't "just" CNA. A good CNA is invaluable and unfortunately, sometimes underappreciated. As far as the perspiration goes, where I work, we don't have air conditioning (use swamp coolers) and this past weekend it was in the 100's!! I was dripping sweat by 7am as were all of my coworkers. It's just how it is sometimes. My nephew had/has a real problem with it and had some of his sweat glands removed from under his arms-that helped some. It helps me to run a papertowel or washcloth under cold water & blot my face & then wrap it around my neck for a few minutes. Good luck with your job. We need people like you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Infection Preventionist/ Occ Health.

Have you considered bringing another set of scrubs to work and changing if you get too hot?

Congratulations on your new position.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

Talk to your health care provider. There is a medical condition called hyperhidrosis (excess sweating) and there are treatments, including a prescription strength antiperspirant, if that's what you're dealing with :).

ETA: missed that HisDaughterJeanne already steered you that way :).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You are not alone. I have been embarassed about this since I was a teen. It use to be just underarms. I use a perscription strength medication for that. I also sweat excessively on my back, chest, between legs and rear. The summer months are awful and it isn't even that hot in this area. Whenever I get out of my car I am usually soaked. I wish I new what to do. I hope someone has some suggestions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Bumashes:

What was the temperature of your ward? Today was the hottest and most humid day of the year so far here. I doubt it was any cooler where you are.

When I was taken to the Critical Care Unit as a patient in 2003, I started to shiver violently as soon as I was uncovered. I asked "Out of curiosity, what is the temperature here?" (I wanted to know why I was cold, not to complain about it). The nurse replied "68", then said that some patients keep it much warmer, and commented that she was roasting. She asked if I was warm enough after putting a couple of blankets on me (I was).

Being the nice guy that I am, I never asked anyone to raise the temperature of the room. My mother and sister would complain that it was cold when they would visit, but I just let them complain, since the nurses were the ones doing the work.

So this is a long-winded way of saying you may have been sweating because it was too hot.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I have had "sweat attacks" like that when I was very stressed. This is a new situation for you, so you may be feeling more than usually stressed.

When you use a wet washcloth to rinse your face off, add a little of teh alcohol based hand sanitizer gel--makes it a little cooler, and sort of "de-greases" your face, which feels very good!

Drink more fluids since you're sweating so much-you may need the water.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You could try anti-perspirant. I spray it on my feet and it works! Also, my son who golfs every day in the GA heat (it was 102 today) swears that he's cooler with two shirts on than with just one. He wears a plain cotton undershirt and says it traps the moisture and then it cools him off while it evaporates?? May be worth a try.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg, BICU.

Bumashes,

Hi, the 100% cotton scrubs will be great to buy. Also, if you are into holistics, another thing to try is sage tea. I know its hot but you can drink a few cups per day. I have heard that the sage tea REALLY REALLY helps those who have very active sweat glands. good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wear a cotton tank under my scrubs. The tank absorbs before it can show thru the scrubs. Probably a little hotter for me but worth it. I have to wear a tank anyways because otherwise I show too much when I bend over ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion