Sweating is a bodily function that helps regulate your body temperature. Also called perspiration, sweating is the release of a salt-based fluid from your sweat glands.
Changes in your body temperature, the outside temperature, or your emotional state can cause sweating. The most common areas of sweating on the body include:
- armpits
- face
- palms of the hands
- soles of the feet
Sweating in normal amounts is an essential bodily process.
Not sweating enough and sweating too much can both cause problems. The absence of sweat can be dangerous because your risk of overheating increases. Excessive sweating may be more psychologically damaging than physically damaging.
Your body is equipped with an average of three million sweat glands. There are two types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine.
Eccrine sweat glands
The eccrine sweat glands are located all over your body and produce a lightweight, odorless sweat.
Apocrine sweat glands
The apocrine sweat glands are concentrated in the hair follicles of the following parts of your body:
- scalp
- armpits
- groin
These glands release a heavier, fat-laden sweat that carries a distinct odor. The smell, referred to as body odor, occurs when apocrine sweat breaks down and mixes with the bacteria on your skin.
Your autonomic nervous system controls your sweating function. This is the part of your nervous system that functions on its own, without your conscious control.
When the weather is hot or your body temperature rises due to exercise or fever, sweat is released through ducts in your skin. It moistens the surface of your body and cools you down as it evaporates.
Sweat is made mostly of water, but about 1 percent of sweat is a combination of salt and fat.
Sweating is normal and occurs regularly in your daily living. However, a variety of causes can stimulate increased sweating.
High temperature
Elevated body or environmental temperatures are the primary cause of increased sweating.
Emotions and stress
The following emotions and conditions can also make you break out in a heavy sweat:
- anger
- fear
- embarrassment
- anxiety
- emotional stress
Foods
Sweating may be a response to the foods you eat as well. This type of perspiration is called gustatory sweating. It can be provoked by:
- spicy foods
- caffeinated drinks, including soda, coffee, and tea
- alcoholic beverages
Medications and illness
Sweating may also be caused by medication use and certain illnesses, such as:
- cancer
- fever and fever-reducing drugs
- infection
- hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels)
- painkillers, including morphine
- synthetic thyroid hormones
- complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a rare form of chronic pain that usually affects an arm or leg
Menopause
The hormonal fluctuations associated with menopause can also trigger sweating. Menopausal women often experience night sweats and sweating during hot flashes.
A normal amount of sweating generally doesn’t require medical treatment. You can take steps to make yourself more comfortable and minimize your sweating:
- Wear several light layers of clothing that allow your skin to breathe.
- Remove layers of clothing as you heat up.
- Wash dried sweat off of your face and body for optimum comfort.
- Change out of sweaty clothing to reduce the risk of bacterial or yeast infections.
- Drink water or sports drinks to replace fluids and electrolytes lost through sweating.
- Apply an underarm antiperspirant or deodorant to reduce odor and control sweating.
- Remove foods from your diet that increase your sweating.
If illness or medications cause uncomfortable sweating, talk to your doctor about alternative treatments.
Sweating may indicate a medical problem if it occurs with other symptoms. Let your doctor know if you experience these as well:
- chest pain
- dizziness
- shortness of breath
- continued perspiration for an extended period of time without cause
Losing weight from excessive sweating isn’t normal and should also be checked by a doctor.
The following conditions result from either excessive sweating or the absence of sweating. Consult your healthcare provider if you feel that you sweat more than normal or that you don’t sweat at all:
- Hyperhidrosis is a condition of excessive sweating from the armpits, hands, and feet. This condition can be embarrassing and may prevent you from going about your daily routines.
- Hypohidrosis is the absence of sweat. Sweat is your body’s way of releasing excess heat. You can become dehydrated and have a higher-than-normal risk for heatstroke if you suffer from hypohidrosis.
Sweating is a normal bodily function. Beginning at puberty, most people start to use antiperspirants to minimize sweating and odor.
Sweating either too much or too little can indicate a medical problem. Sweating in conjunction with other symptoms may also indicate a health condition.
Make lifestyle adjustments to accommodate your sweating.
If this isn’t enough, consult your healthcare provider, especially if you feel you sweat too much or not at all.