00:00You might be counting down the days to shorter nights and warmer evenings.
00:04But for those with hyperhidrosis, summer is far from a time of anticipation.
00:10Now, it's a very mild day today in Tenham.
00:1314 degrees, clear skies and lots of sun.
00:16And this morning, I was really happy to leave my coat behind and just wear this white shirt.
00:21And I didn't really think too much about these choices that I made.
00:24But for Freya, whose condition is so debilitating, these are luxuries that are simply not an option.
00:31Look at all my lovely clothes that I'm going to be able to wear.
00:34Even, like, shirts.
00:36Like, you think this is dark green, I can wear this.
00:38I can't because it goes into your underarm.
00:40Freya's condition causes chronic and excessive sweating,
00:43which started as she was prescribed Sertraline for her borderline personality disorder in 2019.
00:49Now, after trying various creams and tablets to get her hyperhidrosis under control,
00:55she's waiting for a Botox clinic to be able to administer treatment
00:59that would temporarily block the nerves that stimulate sweat glands.
01:03But the battle is not yet over.
01:05I have a pile of old shirts that I keep under my armpits.
01:08If I'm just at home, which is usually all the time,
01:11I'll put an old shirt under my armpits so that it doesn't run down my arms.
01:14I can't go and get tattooed anymore because I don't want to sweat on my tattoo artist.
01:20It's a hygiene thing as well, you know.
01:22As much as I shower multiple times a day, it makes no difference.
01:25And showering multiple times a day is actually worse for you than it is good.
01:29You're drying out your skin.
01:30There's so many more complications to it.
01:32I've ended up with cracked skin all over me because of the amount I shower.
01:36And it doesn't change anything.
01:37Temperature.
01:38I cannot go out in summer.
01:41Winter, I can put loads of layers on and I can cover it up just fine.
01:44I'm still really uncomfortable and I'm really panicky about it.
01:47But I'm aware that people can't necessarily see it.
01:50In summer, what am I going to do?
01:51Freya's last job was working nights at Asda
01:53and hasn't been able to work for a while due to the severity of her condition.
01:58Despite being cleared to receive funding for the £400 twice yearly treatment,
02:03her life remains on hold until she's able to access this.
02:08Megan Shaw of Kame TV in Tenham.
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