Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon CausesOther CausesSelf-CareMedical TreatmentsWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Causes
Other Causes
Self-Care
Medical Treatments
When to See a Provider
If you worry about how much you sweat, you’re not alone.Sweatingis a normal part of the body’s cooling system. Most people sweat when exposed to hot temperatures, physical activity, orstress. The most common places to sweat are the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, underarms, and face.
Sweating should naturally stop once the body cools down. However, it’s possible to experience persistent or excessive sweating that is unnecessary.
Excessive sweating, known ashyperhidrosis, occurs when the body sweats excessively and unpredictably. It is a medical condition, and treatment is available.This article covers the reasons you may sweat easily and what treatment options are available.
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What Causes You To Sweat More Than Needed?
The body is designed to sweat to release heat and cool the organs. It is normal and expected to sweat when you are warm from exercise or hot weather. Spicy food and feelings of stress, anger, or anxiety can also cause sweating.
Researchers believe that people who sweat more than needed have overactive sweat glands. When the glands are overactive, they produce an uncontrollable amount of sweat. It is possible to experience excessive sweat in one area (focal) or all over the body (generalized).
Primary Hyperhidrosis
People withprimary hyperhidrosishave excessive sweating with no known cause. This condition usually causes sweating that is excessive enough to interfere with your daily activities. You may notice that your hands are so sweaty that it is difficult to turn a doorknob or open a jar.
Secondary HyperhidrosisSecondary hyperhidrosis refers to excessive sweating due to a secondary or underlying disorder. These can include hormonal changes, diabetes, fever, medications, and other conditions.
Secondary Hyperhidrosis
Secondary hyperhidrosis refers to excessive sweating due to a secondary or underlying disorder. These can include hormonal changes, diabetes, fever, medications, and other conditions.
Hormonal Changes
Changes in hormone levels may lead to excessive sweating.People may experiencehot flashesandnight sweatsduringperimenopause(the time leading up to menopause) ormenopause(the time of life when menstrual periods stop for 12 months in a row). Hot flashes are the most common menopausal symptom, and up to 3 out of 4 people experience them at some point during menopause.
A hot flash is a sudden feeling of being very hot and flushed. You may experience redness in your face, neck, chest, back, and arms, as well as chills and sweating. Hot flashes usually happen in perimenopause and can last for several years during menopause.
Diabetes
Diabetesis a chronic health condition that can cause overstimulation of the sweat glands and excessive sweating. Changes in blood sugar levels may cause sweating throughout the day. A 2017 study found that up to 84% of people with diabetes experience sweating when their blood sugar levels are low (hypoglycemia).
Can Sweating Be a Symptom of Diabetes?
Infection
Common infections like thefluorCOVID-19can cause sweating. People with a fever may experience sweating and chills. Other common symptoms of an infection are a cough, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Infections that may cause a fever and sweating include respiratory illnesses, aurinary tract infection, or a gastrointestinal infection.
What Causes Cold Sweats and What Can You Do About It?
Medications
Certain medications may lead to sweating when you first start them or increase the dosage. If you are noticing more sweating after a medication change, let the prescribing healthcare provider know. Medications that may cause sweating include:
Other Potential Causes of Sweating More Easily
Excessive sweating has several potential causes, and it can be challenging to determine which ones (if any) are affecting you. If you have recently noticed a difference in your sweat levels, consider if you have experienced any changes in your climate, exercise routine, or stress levels. If not, talk with your healthcare provider.
Possible causes of excessive sweating include:
How to Control Sweating at Home
Fortunately, there are measures you can take at home to address excessive sweating. If you experience hot flashes, the following actions may be helpful:
How to Stop and Control Sweating
Medical Treatments for Excessive Sweating
Several medical treatments are effective for excessive sweating. While there may not always be a permanent cure, it is possible to manage this condition well with treatment. Medical treatments for excessive sweating include:
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
If you have noticed a sudden increase in sweating, talk with a healthcare provider. Treatments are available that could help.
If you experience excessive sweating along with feelings of dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, or chest pain, seek immediate medical help. These can be signs you are having a heart attack.See a healthcare provider if you have sweating that impacts your daily life or causes physical or emotional discomfort.
Summary
Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) happens when the body sweats excessively and unpredictably. Sweating is a normal part of the body’s cooling system. It is normal to sweat when in hot temperatures or engaging in strenuous physical activity. Spicy foods and emotional stress can also cause sweating.
Possible causes of excessive sweating include hormonal changes, diabetes, infections, and certain medications. The cause may also remain unknown. The most common areas to sweat are in the palms, soles, underarms, and face.
Treatment options include antiperspirants, medications, hormone therapy, iontophoresis, Botox, endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, and underarm surgery.
Does Sweating Burn Calories?
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Hyperhidrosis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hyperhidrosis.McConaghy JR, Fosselman D.Hyperhidrosis: Management options.afp. 2018;97(11):729-734.Krützfeldt J.Hormonelle ursachen des vermehrten schwitzens [Hormonal causes for excessive sweating].Praxis (Bern 1994). 2023;112(7-8):398-402. doi:10.1024/1661-8157/a004025Office on Women’s Health.Menopause symptoms and relief.Hillson R.Sweating in diabetes.Pract Diab. 2017;34(4):114-115. doi:10.1002/pdi.2096Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Know the signs and symptoms of infection.International Hyperhidrosis Society.Diaphoretic drugs.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hyperhidrosis: Diagnosis and treatment.MedlinePlus.Glycopyrronium topical.American Heart Association.Warning signs of a heart attack.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Hyperhidrosis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hyperhidrosis.McConaghy JR, Fosselman D.Hyperhidrosis: Management options.afp. 2018;97(11):729-734.Krützfeldt J.Hormonelle ursachen des vermehrten schwitzens [Hormonal causes for excessive sweating].Praxis (Bern 1994). 2023;112(7-8):398-402. doi:10.1024/1661-8157/a004025Office on Women’s Health.Menopause symptoms and relief.Hillson R.Sweating in diabetes.Pract Diab. 2017;34(4):114-115. doi:10.1002/pdi.2096Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Know the signs and symptoms of infection.International Hyperhidrosis Society.Diaphoretic drugs.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hyperhidrosis: Diagnosis and treatment.MedlinePlus.Glycopyrronium topical.American Heart Association.Warning signs of a heart attack.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Hyperhidrosis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hyperhidrosis.McConaghy JR, Fosselman D.Hyperhidrosis: Management options.afp. 2018;97(11):729-734.Krützfeldt J.Hormonelle ursachen des vermehrten schwitzens [Hormonal causes for excessive sweating].Praxis (Bern 1994). 2023;112(7-8):398-402. doi:10.1024/1661-8157/a004025Office on Women’s Health.Menopause symptoms and relief.Hillson R.Sweating in diabetes.Pract Diab. 2017;34(4):114-115. doi:10.1002/pdi.2096Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Know the signs and symptoms of infection.International Hyperhidrosis Society.Diaphoretic drugs.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hyperhidrosis: Diagnosis and treatment.MedlinePlus.Glycopyrronium topical.American Heart Association.Warning signs of a heart attack.
MedlinePlus.Hyperhidrosis.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hyperhidrosis.
McConaghy JR, Fosselman D.Hyperhidrosis: Management options.afp. 2018;97(11):729-734.
Krützfeldt J.Hormonelle ursachen des vermehrten schwitzens [Hormonal causes for excessive sweating].Praxis (Bern 1994). 2023;112(7-8):398-402. doi:10.1024/1661-8157/a004025
Office on Women’s Health.Menopause symptoms and relief.
Hillson R.Sweating in diabetes.Pract Diab. 2017;34(4):114-115. doi:10.1002/pdi.2096
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Know the signs and symptoms of infection.
International Hyperhidrosis Society.Diaphoretic drugs.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hyperhidrosis: Diagnosis and treatment.
MedlinePlus.Glycopyrronium topical.
American Heart Association.Warning signs of a heart attack.
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