How Telehealth Helps Patients with Hyperhidrosis Receive Care
November is Hyperhidrosis Awareness Month, bringing attention to the millions of patients impacted by excessive sweating. Due to Congress extending greater protection since the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has emerged as a reliable care method for patients with this condition. Hyperhidrosis is very common in the United States and worldwide, to the point where many who suffer don’t even know what it is. Telehealth has allowed more individuals who experience excessive sweating symptoms to understand better and treat their hyperhidrosis.
According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, a member of Telehealth Access for America, an estimated 385 million people, or five percent of the population, suffer from hyperhidrosis. This condition is unpredictable, uncomfortable, and embarrassing for those impacted. 75 percent of hyperhidrosis patients noted that the condition has negative impacts on their social life, sense of well-being, and emotional and mental health. Being aware of the crippling effects of this condition and available treatment options is half the battle for potential hyperhidrosis patients. Telehealth has become critical in better informing patients about and treating the condition.
Telehealth services bring specialist knowledge and tailored care to the comfort of a patient’s home. Patients have access to experts on this condition and can receive insight into their specific condition. Experts from the International Hyperhidrosis Society have shared that every case of hyperhidrosis is different. Without a cure or treat-all method, telehealth can provide particular care. Among the most significant challenges in hyperhidrosis is educating the public on this condition. Many in the United States do not know what hyperhidrosis means or how to treat excessive sweating. Telehealth makes health education more widely available and allows more effective treatment methods to be developed over time.
As things stand, telehealth flexibilities currently protected for millions of patients who rely upon these services are set to expire at the end of 2024. A visit to a doctor’s office can seem burdensome and costly to hyperhidrosis patients. These barriers are removed with telehealth services that connect patients through remote consultations to hyperhidrosis specialists. Telehealth allows hyperhidrosis to be treated more efficiently, with less effort and more convenience.
Congress must make telehealth flexibilities permanent to continue providing care for millions who rely upon these services and millions more who are impacted by hyperhidrosis. Both sides of the aisle see the importance of these services and the well-being that can be created in our nation by continuing to protect telehealth as we have since the pandemic. This Hyperhidrosis Awareness Month let’s urge Congress to protect the treatment options for the millions of Americans impacted by excessive sweating and the many other patients nationwide utilizing telehealth to receive treatment for chronic conditions.
To learn more about hyperhidrosis or get support, visit www.SweatHelp.org.
ABOUT TELEHEALTH ACCESS FOR AMERICA
Telehealth Access for America (TAFA) is a public education campaign supported by leaders in health care committed to better care, expanded patient choice, and protecting access to critical telehealth services. Learn more at www.telehealthaccessforamerica.org.