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.
Thanks for all the replies. I've gone and bought some tank top undershirts for my back. Also, I'm going to try some of those "slider" shorts for baseball players. They're tight fitting undershorts that come down almost to your knees. It says on the tag that they distribute moisture in such a way as to keep you drier. We'll see.
For the person who asked what temp it is where I work, it was 72 degrees in the hospital hallways. However, it is different temps in each pts room.
Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.
It wouldn't hurt to visit your PCP to see if there are any medical things going on. Also, if you take any regular medications, that might have something to do with sweating.
Just one other thing to consider. Are you on any medications that contain acetominophen, or do you take tylenol on a regular basis?. last summer I was on a prescription that contained tylenol and I could not stop perspiring from head to toe with any exertion. Just a thought.
You are not alone! I have the dreaded "butt sweat" when I get nervous at work. I work in a really busy ER, and butt sweat-inducing situations happen frequently. I have taken Robinul (anticholinergic) intermittently for several years for excessive sweating. It helps a little, and might be something to talk to your doctor about. I found information online after doing a search on hyperhidrosis. I have also tried inderal with limited success. See if you can keep a fan nearby so you can cool off when you need to. Just hang in there - as you gain confidence and get over some of the nervousness, your sweating will slow down!
Certain-dri is an otc antiperspirant that is supposedly rx strength. I always use deodorant in those sweaty places, but I haven't tried the certain-dri yet. I also liberally use shower to shower down my back and chest.
There is a product you can buy in Canada OTC called Drysol. I have used it in my pits and it totally eliminates sweating. You still have to wear deoderant though. Something worth checking into!
Just one other thing to consider. Are you on any medications that contain acetominophen, or do you take tylenol on a regular basis?. last summer I was on a prescription that contained tylenol and I could not stop perspiring from head to toe with any exertion. Just a thought.
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Bumashes, MSN, APRN, NP
477 Posts
Thanks for all the replies. I've gone and bought some tank top undershirts for my back. Also, I'm going to try some of those "slider" shorts for baseball players. They're tight fitting undershorts that come down almost to your knees. It says on the tag that they distribute moisture in such a way as to keep you drier. We'll see.
For the person who asked what temp it is where I work, it was 72 degrees in the hospital hallways. However, it is different temps in each pts room.
Thanks again everyone!