10 Reasons for Excessive Sweating - MyHealth
Medically Reviewed By
Dr Divya Rohra
Written By Prekshi Garg
on Jul 25, 2022
Last Edit Made By Prekshi Garg
on Apr 17, 2024
Owing to the soaring temperatures we all sweat to some degree. But, have you ever wondered what causes sweating and why some people sweat way too much than others. Some researchers believe that the differential sweating is due to the differential genomic expressions each one of us has.
Sweating is a natural phenomenon where the skin pores release water, salts, and toxins while cooling the body. When the body gets strained or is exposed to extremely hot temperatures, the sweat glands of the skin produce fluids, causing excessive sweating. Excessive sweating seen in many can also be due to medical conditions and is referred to as Hyperhidrosis or Seborrhea or Polyhidrosis.
Though excessive sweating is not harmful or contagious, it can get irritating and cause redness and rashes on the skin. At times, excess sweating can impact a person psychologically and emotionally.
This article discusses the causes of excessive sweating while also exploring the types of sweating distinguished based on medical reasons and clinical locations.
Function and Pathology of Sweating
Sweating is a thermoregulation process of the body controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain. Some of the important functions of sweating include:
- Sweating of the palms and soles (palmoplantar sweating) helps provide a good grip. It is widely observed that sweating palms and soles helps in activities like handicraft making, paper handling, and sports. The limbic system of the brain and the sympathetic nerves steers the cycle of palmoplantar sweating.
- The sweating in the armpits and groyne is primarily odour-free. The characteristic smell is produced when the sweat breaks down the skin bacteria in these regions.
Types of Excessive Sweating
Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis can be categorised into two types on medical grounds.
- Primary hyperhidrosis: This type of excessive sweating is when sweating occurs without any medical cause. Here, the nerves connected to the sweat glands turn overactive, causing more sweat generation than normal. Primary hyperhidrosis is a highly genetic problem.
- Secondary Hyperhidrosis: Excessive perspiration caused due to a medical issue causes secondary hyperhidrosis. For instance, people with cystic fibrosis often experience excess sweating with the extra release of slats through sweat.
Based on location, excessive sweating can be divided into two types.
- Generalised Hyperhidrosis: In generalised hyperhidrosis, the entire body sweats.
- Focal Hyperhidrosis: Focal or hyperhidrosis causes excessive sweating in specific regions such as hands, arms, face, foot, soles, groyne, armpits, etc. Palmoplantar hyperhidrosis is a type of focal hyperhidrosis where the palms of hands and soles of feet sweat.
Below is a pathological description of generalised and palmoplantar hyperhidrosis.
Reasons for Excessive Sweating
Depending on the condition, the sweat glands in the body switch on and off. This switching mechanism is triggered by high body temperature, excess pressure or work, and others. When the on and off switch mechanism of sweat glands do not work effectively, the sweat glands produce more sweat than required, causing primary hyperhidrosis.
The eccrine sweat glands, the major sweat glands of the body- situated in the face, palms, feet, and armpits sweat without any reason or just by imagining/ thinking of uncomforting situations.
Clinical reasons for secondary hyperhidrosis include the following:
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Hyperthyroidism
An increase in thyroid hormones in the blood increases the metabolic activities in the body. This leads to the quickening of biochemical processes in the body, causing sweating. People with hyperthyroidism sweat a lot.
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Pregnancy
Most pregnant women sweat a lot. Thanks to the pregnancy hormones and hormonal changes, during pregnancy that erupts a hyperhidrosis spurt during pregnancy.
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Cancer
People with Liver cancer, leukaemia, carcinoid tumours, bone cancer, mesothelioma Non-Hodgkin’s, and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma sweat too much while the body is fighting cancer. The reason for this type of sweating may be the heat generated by the cells fighting cancer cells.
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Medications
Medications are taken for high blood pressure, diabetes, and psychological problems, antibiotics, can also cause excessive sweating.
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Diabetes
It is generally observed that people with type1, type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes experience excessive sweating. The variable glucose levels cause hyperhidrosis.
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Menopause
The decreasing estrogen levels and hormonal imbalance during menopause can result in excessive sweating. The feeling of hot flushes and untimely sweating is often seen in women undergoing menopause.
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Psychological Issues
Anxiousness, psychological stress, claustrophobia, and other psychological problems cause overactive sweat glands and an increase in body temperature.
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Being overweight or obese
People who are overweight have excess fat deposits that generate more heat while burning. Thus, the burning of fat increases body heat, increases sweat gland activity, and thus generates more sweat.
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Heart problems and respiratory distress
Profuse sweating is one of the early symptoms often reported by people having cardiac issues and breathing problems. Excessive sweating is one of the warning signs of a heart attack or heart failure.
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Substance abuse
Addiction to banned drugs, alcohol, and certain medications, causes unstable heat regulation processes, resulting in excessive sweating.
Other Reasons
The other medical reasons for excessive sweating include:
- Spinal cord injury
- Conditions like malaria, tuberculosis, gout, cystic fibrosis
- Neurological conditions
- Endocrine disorders- Pheochromocytoma (a rare adrenal gland tumour), Acromegaly
How is Excessive Sweating Diagnosed?
You will need to see a doctor when excess sweating is accompanied by lightheadedness, nausea, or chest pain. Diagnosis of excessive sweating involves a detailed examination of medical history and understanding the frequency of sweating and other associated symptoms.
The doctor will conduct blood tests, urinalysis, and other tests to rule out medical conditions- hyperthyroidism and hyperglycemia responsible for excessive sweating.
Your doctor may also order an iodine-starch test, skin conductance test, or thermoregulatory sweat test that helps pinpoint sweating regions and the severity of the sweating condition.
Possible Treatment Options for Excessive Sweating
Treatment options for excessive sweating range from medications to ion therapy and surgery.
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Medications
The medications for hyperhidrosis include antidepressants, antiperspirants, prescribed creams, lotions, and nerve-blockers that inhibit the nerves that generate sweat.
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Iontophoresis
Iontophoresis is a harmless and painless procedure where the electric current is passed through the hands and feet, causing temporary inactivation of sweat glands.
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Botulinum injections
Botulinum toxin injections temporarily block or disable the nerves leading to the sweat glands. Botulinum therapy effects last for six months to a year, after which the treatment needs a repetition.
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Nerve Surgery or Sympathectomy
Nerve surgery is the final resort for treating excessive sweating. Mostly considered when all other methods, including home remedies, do not work. During this surgery, the spinal nerve connection to the sweat glands is severed or burnt. Sympathectomy can be done endoscopically and is known as endoscopic sympathectomy.
Based on the condition and reason causing hyperhidrosis, the doctor will help take you through the suitable treatment option.
Natural Ways to Deal with Excessive Sweating
Apart from clinical treatment options, there are several natural ways to take care of hyperhidrosis. Some of them include:
- Armpit sweat absorbers: These are armpit shields or pads worn on clothes to absorb the excess sweat generated in the armpits and avoid staining of clothes.
- Antiperspirants: These are aluminium-based sprays that block the sweat glands and thus reduce sweat production temporarily.
- Use clothes made of natural fibres: Always wear clothes made of natural fibres like cotton and linen that helps absorb the excess sweating. Synthetic fibres such as nylon, and polyester, increase perspiration that does not allow the skin to breathe, causing skin rashes and irritation. Also, try to wear airy clothes rather than tight, sticky clothes.
- Aerate your feet: always aerate your feet by wearing footwear made of natural fibres. Use cotton-based socks instead of nylon ones that help absorb sweat. Try to avoid wearing tight shoes or dry your feet often when wearing shoes for a long time
- Bathe regularly: It is important to bathe every day by regularly cleaning areas that profusely sweat. This helps keep the skin microbiome under control and prevents skin allergies, rashes, and irritation.
- Apply Feet Powders: Over-the-counter antibacterial and antifungal feet powders help in absorbing sweat.
- Relaxation Methods: Stress-controlling techniques like meditation and yoga help reduce sweating.
Complications arising due to Non-treatment of Excessive Sweating
Excessive sweating, if left untreated can lead to,
- Heat Rashes: Excessive sweating, salts, dust, and bacteria on the skin bloc the skin pores, causing redness, itching, and irritation.
- Bacterial Infections: These infections due to sweating are extremely common and seen in between the toes and hair follicles.
- Social and psychological impact: Sweating and body odour caused by extreme sweat can impact self-confidence, personal relations, work, and educational goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does excessive sweating indicate?
Excessive sweating can be an indication of hyperthyroidism, diabetes, heart ailments, or infections. Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis is also seen in people who are obese.
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When should you be worried about excessive sweating?
Excessive sweating is a harmless condition and there is nothing to worry about. However, if excessive sweating is accompanied by pain in the chest, nausea, or dizziness, you may need to seek immediate medical attention.
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Can hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating be cured permanently?
There is no permanent solution for excessive sweating. However, people can consider a minimally invasive endoscopic sympathectomy to permanently disable the nerve that causes hyperhidrosis. The nerve surgery can be a permanent relief from excessive sweating.
Conclusion
The sweat glands play an excretory role similar to the renal system. However, some sweat more than normal. Although excessive sweating is a painless, harmless condition, too much sweating from the body can lead to embarrassing situations and emotionally affect a person. Sometimes, excessive sweating can indicate chronic health problems- respiratory distress, heart problems, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperthyroidism.
Extensive diagnosis can help analyse the reason for excessive sweating and address the cause through possible treatment options. Connect with your doctor to seek more information on excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis.
Leave a comment
2 Comments
Samuel Opoku
May 8, 2024 at 6:02 PM.
I am disturbed about the sweat because with the little water or food I take, I begin to sweat profusely.
Myhealth Team
May 9, 2024 at 6:48 PM.
Excessive sweating, especially with minimal food or water intake, may indicate dehydration, hormonal imbalances, stress, hyperhidrosis, medication side effects, or underlying health conditions. Consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and guidance.
Wegulo isaac
Apr 17, 2024 at 1:32 PM.
Can any clinic do these tests bae I over sweat and am uncomfortable.plz help
Myhealth Team
Apr 17, 2024 at 6:48 PM.
Hi, You need to consult this with your doctor first.