Hyperhidrosis is a condition suffered by over half a million people in the UK.
Channel Five, in its infinite wisdom, first used a derogatory term as the title for this programme and then followed through with what can only be described as a one sided look this immensely debilitating condition.
Having a family member who suffers from Hyperhidrosis, I decided to stay up late (11pm is late for me) and watch what I thought might be a serious approach to a serious condition and informative an piece of programming.
I was, to say the least, disappointed.
Throughout the programme women talked about their 'sweat problems'.
Film was shown of them going about their daily lives while (apparently) suffering from Hyperhidrosis.
We saw one young woman, in fashionably tight leggings and top doing her shopping ...
Anyone with this condition Knows only too well that they should Never wear man-made fibers!
Yet this person Chose to wear possibly the tightest of style leg-wear and ones of a kind made from possibly the most restricting man-made fibers there is!
In another scene we saw another young woman wearing a lose fitting tee-shirt with the tell-tale signs of semi-circular 'sweat rings' under her armpits ... they were about the size of a small tea plate ...
Someone with true Hyperhidrosis can accumulate that amount of sweat simply getting out of bed!
I agree with the program's makers, the operation said to help 'cure' heavy sweating, Endoscopic Transthoracic Sympathetica (ETS) is a a significantly dangerous one and one that should only be consented to after a great deal of forethought and personal research.
I agree, many people suffer greatly for years from this condition.
I agree, there is a Need for this condition to be highlighted, mainly so people who suffer with it are less stigmatized, as they are in present day society.
I Do Not agree with;
This program's makers focusing purely on women sufferers ...
Was their use of the 'Sweaty Betty' title the only way they could obtain financial support to make their programme?
This programmes' portrayal of what its makers inferred were typical 'Hyperhidrosis sufferers' ...
I've seen more sweat on a Polar Bear's back!
Hyperhidrosis can be so bad as to be totally debilitating. Water can literally Flood down a person's face and leave whatever hair they have left on their heads soaking wet, like 'straight out of the shower' wet, withing a few seconds!
The subjects selected for this programme were either 'airbrushed' so their true condition did not show in the film or any film of a true Hyperhidrosis sufferer was left out of the finished programme, possibly left on the cutting room floor in case someone watching might have their sensitivities upset!
My overall opinion of this programe?
A Good Opportunity Wasted !
