sweating on the job?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hey everyone, just wondering if any nurses out there sweat a lot on their face while they are at work? If so does your job let you to wear headbands or bandanas? Does the sweating make it hard to keep sterile environment or practice asepsis technique? Also have you had any issues with finding jobs or working in different departments/units because of the sweating?

I know it's a weird string of question but the reason why I am asking is because I am a nursing student with facial hyperhidrosis who is currently on LOA and might not return to school. During clinical and lab, I would sweat so much, that I looked like I dunked my head in a bucket of water. I work up a sweat very easily. I will sweat profusely from walking around the mall, going grocery shopping, giving presentations, etc...I've been like this since I was a little kid. I knew this might be an issue going into the program but I figure I would not let this stop me. But during school, the sweating caused me so much anxiety and stress that I took a LOA after the first semester despite doing really well (4.0). I just feel like that my sweating is gonna become an issue and hinder me from being an OR/ED nurse. any feed back would be great thanks!!

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I don't really have an answer for you :confused: but I would THINK, that an employer

would have to make provisions for you based on the Americans with Disabilities

Act?

Meaning basically, if all you need is a headband, and you have a medical

diagnosis, then surely the facility should be required to let you wear that

headband.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

i sweat quite a lot a work, usually when I have to be in a isolation room or a older patients room with the heat on. I'll just pat off when I can, run some water on a towel and mop off, dry my face/arms/etc, put on deodorant if i need to. I'll sit by the A/C with a fan on, even if everyone else is cold. I'll just ask for one unit to be on, versus all of em. I need it cool. I worked with a nurse last night who kept turning off my ac when I wasn't in the station. I could have killed her! it takes forever to cool off.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Have you seen a doctor about it? I wonder if there's a treatment??

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I have heard of botox as a treatment actually.

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

needless to say, my sympathy goes to you and for those who are facing this same dilemma. having said that, facial excessive sweating is refer as facial hyperhidrosis. furthermore, hyperhidrosis on the face is a particularly difficult condition because of the immediate social implications it holds for the individuals with this condition. unquestionably, if i were in your position i would make an appointment with the dermatologist as soon as possible, since now a days they have a treatment for hyperhidrosis. wishing you the best always... aloha~

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Hyperhidrosis of the hands is well treated, look into it. Good luck.

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thanks everyone for all the comments and support. I've seen a dermatologist and she prescribed me was robinol. I was on it for 2 months and it really didn't help. I also seen another dermatologists last week and she said that robinol would be the best treatment for me. She told me that I just have to stick with the medication for more than 2 months. But she is going to test me for thyroid problems because there is some family history of hyper/hypo-thyroidism in my family.

If my sweating issue can't be lessened or remedied, are their any jobs in the medical field that I can get with a BSN degree and no prior patient experience?

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thanks, i'll do some research on the act..

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I would think that there would be no problem with wear of a headband as long as you keep it clean and change it if it becomes soaked. Have you discussed this with your clinical instructors? Did they forbid it?

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU.

I don't know how much research you have done, but there are other procedures that help with hyperhidrosis. I myself get botox for underarm hyperhidrosis and it really changed my life! There is also Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS)for more severe forms, and that may be an option. A quick search on google says that that procedure is good for excessive facial sweating. I hope you find some relief!

ETA: I have a family member who had ETS and she loved the results!

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

I too sweat profusely, especially when in isolation gear or running around. No one else is sweating. I have always sweated more than everyone else. I usually just splash water on my face afterwards and pat my hair as dry as I can. I have been like this as long as I can remember. I actually didn't realize that it was a medical condition that could be treated. I will have to look into that. You would go to a dermatologist for it?

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