Talk about swimming in your shorts.

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is one of those conditions that seems like it wouldn’t be that big of a deal if you don’t have it. If you do have it, you know it’s about as fun as a poke in the eye.

I actually used to know someone who dealt with hyperhidrosis. They were a pleasant person, but because they were always sweating so much, it was difficult for them to be in public. They were always worried that people would smell them and get angry, or touch them and be grossed out. Now, that seemed like an overreaction to me, but I wasn’t the one with hyperhidrosis, and in hindsight, I feel bad about that. I feel really self-conscious when I’m sweaty after lugging stuff around or exercising, and feeling like that almost twenty-four-seven sounds like the kind of emotional stress that nobody needs in this day and age.

So if you know anyone who has to deal with excessive sweat, remember to be sympathetic and, if possible, helpful. Give them time to change their clothes, help them pick things up, things like that. They’ve got enough to worry about already.