There are certain topics which are seemingly taboo, like sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. Ahem, I mean, sex, money and politics. I suspect I’ve already broken a few rules on that front, so I’m pretty sure you’ll forgive me for touching on this somewhat-sensitive subject.

Yes… let’s talk about sex sweat baby.

Although it’s a cold hard fact of life involving basic bodily functions, it’s not something we really discuss. Well most of us, that is.

On the whole I suspect the art of ‘sweating’ is looked upon with some disdain. I still recall reading an Archie comic when I was a kid and Veronica commenting that SHE did not ‘sweat’; or ‘perspire’; rather, she ‘glowed’.

I’m a sweater. Though not the woollen or fleecy type. Obviously.

In fact, I have medication* for a condition called hyperhidrosis… which I self-diagnosed after visiting Dr Google esteemed experts in the field.

For those not in the know, or too lazy to visit the good Dr Google herself (or click on the link!), hyperhidrosis is a condition which involves excess sweating. Charming huh?! Mostly it manifests itself in sweaty palms, feet or armpits. Understandably it can cause great stress.

As for me, it’s all about my head (aka facial hyperhidrosis). For seemingly little reason at all, my head sweats. Sure, I’m overweight and probably sweat more because of it, but that’s not the sole cause. Naturally my head sweats when I’m hot; but it also sweats when I’m stressed or… well, whenever it bloody wants to. Just thinking about it can set me off. I cannot wear make up (or even moisturiser during the day) because the moment I put stuff on my face I start sweating.

I keep cutting my hair off because when it’s done up the hair on my scalp is wet, with this dry blonde ponytail appearing from nowhere.

At those times, the fact that I sweat perspire glow excessively is a cause of embarrassment. I feel self-conscious. I feel that people assume I’m sweating because I’m overweight. When I have absolutely no reason at all to be sweating profusely I feel great discomfort that I am.

However, then there are those times when I wear my sweaty face and body as a badge of honour. And I must confess, I love me those post-workout red-faced sweaty pictures people tweet with justifiable pride.

I grew up playing a lot of sport and sweatiness was just part and parcel of the whole thing. I knew my body was just working efficiently to cool itself off.

Bizarrely – even when I’m working out – only my head gets ultra-sweaty, the rest of me just sweats like a normal person.

I’m always surprised though by those who don’t sweat. Even when exercising. Perhaps some are just fortunate, whereas others just don’t try hard enough.

Indeed, there’s a girl in my faux Zumba class who does the entire thing half-heartedly in full make up and remains completely dry-faced throughout. Another fellow gym-goer tells me she tries to avoid sweating in class so she doesn’t have to shower before going back to work. Even in hard circuit classes. W. T. F?!

As for me… I like to know I’ve worked out. I do get embarrassed about the extent of my sweatiness (and face which remains red for HOURS after!) BUT I also wear it as a source of pride.

*I’ve actually only tried taking the medication once (when I was already irritable and sweaty) and it didn’t work. It freaks me a bit cos it blocks sweat / saliva glands or something!

The recommended treatment is actually botox. (What a great excuse I reckon?!) Although getting botox around my scalp doesn’t sound very alluring!

Are you a sweater?