"My answer sheet gets wet"…when is the right time to treat the hyperhidrosis that plagues exam students?

 In adolescence, when activity levels are high, 'hyperhidrosis' — heavy sweating on the hands, underarms and elsewhere — is often regarded as a simple matter of constitution. Yet the symptoms of hyperhidrosis have an adverse effect even on schoolwork and personal relationships. At times like the present in particular, as temperatures rise, symptoms worsen and the burden on students preparing for this year's CSAT can grow. Since hyperhidrosis requires a treatment plan drawn up at least five to six months in advance, it is pointed out that active attention is needed.

According to the medical community on the 14th, quite a few exam students actually report anxiety about sweaty hands making their pens slip, their books getting wet, or their OMR answer sheet being damaged during the exam. Yoon, Kangjun, President of St. Peter's Hospital and a neurosurgery specialist, stressed, "Teenage patients with hyperhidrosis often report considerable stress across the whole of daily life, beyond mere inconvenience," adding, "Exam students in particular are directly affected in their ability to concentrate on their studies and in the exam environment, so early diagnosis and treatment are important."

According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, about 15,000 patients visit hospitals for hyperhidrosis each year. Of these, teenage patients account for roughly 17% — some 2,000 patients. Teenage patients in particular average more than two visits a year, relatively high among all age groups.

Hyperhidrosis is divided into 'primary hyperhidrosis', which occurs without any particular cause, and 'secondary hyperhidrosis', which is brought on by another disease, by medication or by hormonal changes. Hyperhidrosis that appears in adolescence is mostly primary. Symptoms may begin in childhood and grow more severe through puberty. Primary hyperhidrosis is likely when the following apply: ▲ sweating occurs symmetrically on both sides ▲ excessive sweating occurs at least once a week ▲ it causes difficulty in daily life ▲ symptoms began before the age of 25, or ▲ there is a family history.

Leaving it untreated in the belief that it will improve naturally once puberty passes is risky. Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms. In the early stages, non-surgical options such as topical agents, drug therapy, iontophoresis and botulinum toxin injections are tried first. If symptoms are severe or conservative treatment is not effective enough, however, surgical treatment such as endoscopic sympathectomy may be considered.

Director Yoon advised, “If hyperhidrosis is making an already sensitive adolescent withdraw, or causing real discomfort in daily life ahead of an important exam, active diagnosis and treatment are needed.” He added, “For students preparing for the national college entrance exam, setting up a treatment plan before summer arrives will help.”