Do I Sweat Too Much?

This can seem like a very subjective question and, depending on how self-conscious you are about sweating, you may wonder this even if you’re sweating normal amounts. Let’s be clear: Sweating in normal amounts is an essential and healthy bodily process.

If you didn’t sweat, you could risk overheating. So it’s perfectly normal to sweat when your body temperature rises through activities like:

• Exercise or exertion
• Being exposed to hotter temperatures (though some of us are more heat-tolerant than others)
• Eating hot or spicy foods (again, people have different thresholds for spicy and hot foods)
• When you’re sick and running a fever

Sweating in these cases, either a little or a lot, is your body’s way of regulating your temperature and is considered healthy. There are other situations too when sweat is considered normal (e.g. menopausal hot flashes.)

But if you are prone to sweating without apparent cause, you might have a condition known as hyperhidrosis. In this post, we’ll help you understand sweat better and get to the bottom of all the causes of sweating, ways to manage sweat, and take a closer look at hyperhidrosis.

Why Do We Sweat & All About Sweat Glands

Sweating is our body's natural physiological response to heat. It helps to regulate our body temperature. For example, when we exercise, feel hot, or experience a rise in body temperature due to stress or illness, the hypothalamus sends a signal to our sweat glands to release sweat.

As sweat evaporates from our skin, it cools our bodies. This prevents us from overheating and suffering from heat-related illnesses. Sweat also helps to maintain the balance of fluids and electrolytes in our body by releasing salts and other compounds.

When it comes to sweat glands, we have two different kinds:

1. Eccrine sweat glands

Eccrine sweat glands are the most numerous and widely distributed sweat glands and are found all over the body, but are particularly concentrated on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and forehead — where you’ll also find hair follicles.

Eccrine sweat glands produce a watery, odorless sweat that is composed of mostly water, electrolytes, and some small amounts of waste products. Eccrine sweat glands do not produce the strong-smelling sweat that is responsible for body odor. This type of sweat is important for regulating body temperature, as it evaporates from the skin and cools the body.

Eccrine sweat glands are controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, which activates them in response to heat, physical activity, or emotional stress. When stimulated, the eccrine sweat glands secrete sweat onto the surface of the skin through tiny ducts, which then evaporates and cools the skin.

2. Apocrine sweat glands

Apocrine sweat glands are located primarily in the armpits, groin, and areola of the breast, and are larger than eccrine sweat glands.

Unlike eccrine sweat glands, apocrine sweat glands do not play a major role in regulating body temperature. Instead, they are primarily responsible for producing a thick, oily secretion that contains proteins and other substances. When this secretion comes into contact with bacteria on the skin's surface, it can create a strong odor commonly known as body odor.

Apocrine sweat glands are activated by the hormones testosterone and estrogen during puberty and are thought to be involved in the development of sexual scent. These glands are controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, which is activated in response to stress, anxiety, or sexual arousal.

It's worth noting that apocrine sweat glands are not the primary source of sweat production in the body, as they are much fewer in number than eccrine sweat glands.

Excessive Sweating: Why Do Some People Sweat More Than Others?

Do ever find yourself on a hot day looking around and wondering why everybody else seems cucumber cool while you feel you’re sweating excessively? There are a few reasons some people may sweat more than others:

• Genetics: The number of sweat glands, their size, and their activity level are largely determined by genetics. Some people are simply born with more active sweat glands than others.
• Gender: Men tend to sweat more than women due to higher levels of testosterone, which stimulates the apocrine sweat glands.
• Age: As we age, the number of sweat glands in our body decreases, resulting in a decrease in overall sweat production.
• Weight: People who are overweight or obese tend to sweat more because their body needs to work harder to maintain a normal body temperature.
• Physical fitness level: People who are in better physical shape tend to sweat more because their body is better able to regulate their body temperature during exercise.
• Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism, menopause, and diabetes can cause excessive sweating.
• Medications: Some medications, such as antidepressants and blood pressure medications, can cause excessive sweating as a side effect.
• Geographical background: People who grow up in hot and humid climates may have a greater tolerance for heat than those who grow up in cooler climates. Living in a hot environment can lead to increased heat acclimatization, which means that your body becomes more efficient at regulating its temperature through sweating and other mechanisms.

Again, it's worth noting that sweating is a normal and healthy response to heat, physical activity, and stress. However, if you are concerned about excessive sweating or if your sweating is interfering with your daily life, it's important to speak with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

What Is Hyperhidrosis?

According to the Archives of Dermatological Research, “hyperhidrosis is a skin disorder characterized by sweating in excess of what is required to maintain regulation of normal body temperature.” The same paper found that hyperhidrosis affects 4.8% of the US population.

Excessive sweating / hyperhidrosis can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life, causing social embarrassment, anxiety, and difficulty in performing daily activities. If you believe you may have hyperhidrosis, it's important to speak with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Hyperhidrosis can be classified as primary or secondary hyperhidrosis.

Primary Hyperhidrosis

Primary hyperhidrosis typically affects specific areas of the body, such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, face, or underarms, and can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life. 

Primary hyperhidrosis is thought to be caused by overactive sweat glands that respond excessively to stimuli, such as stress or anxiety, although the exact mechanism is not fully understood. The condition usually begins in childhood or adolescence and may run in families, suggesting a genetic component.

Secondary Hyperhidrosis

Unlike primary hyperhidrosis, secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by some other condition. It often affects the entire body and may be accompanied by other symptoms related to the underlying condition causing it. 

Secondary hyperhidrosis can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, such as: 

• Diabetes
• Hyperthyroidism
• Menopause (hot flashes, night sweats)
• Infections
• Certain types of cancer 

It can also be a side effect of certain medications, including antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and certain antibiotics.

Once the underlying cause is treated, the excessive sweating usually resolves. If the excessive sweating continues even after the underlying cause is treated, treatment options for primary hyperhidrosis, such as antiperspirants, prescription medications, iontophoresis, Botox injections, or surgery, may be considered.

Hyperhidrosis Treatment

Once the underlying cause is treated, the excessive sweating caused by secondary hyperhidrosis usually resolves. If the excessive sweating continues even after the underlying cause is treated, treatment options for primary hyperhidrosis sweat include antiperspirants, prescription medications, iontophoresis, Botox injections, or surgery, may be considered. We strongly recommend a doctor's visit to determine the best way to treat excessive sweating.

10 Ways to Manage Sweat

There are several ways to manage and minimize sweating, ranging from simple lifestyle changes to medical treatments. Here are some common methods for managing sweat:

1. Wear breathable clothing: Wearing loose-fitting, breathable clothing made of natural fibers such as cotton or linen can help to reduce sweating by allowing air to circulate around the body.
2. Wear sweat-wicking underwear and outerwear: Fabrics that wick moisture away from your skin will help you stay dry and cool (e.g. leakproof underwear can absorb sweat as well as other liquids and Knix activewear is all sweat-wicking)
3. Use antiperspirants: Antiperspirants work by blocking sweat ducts and reducing the amount of sweat that is produced. They are available in both over-the-counter and prescription strength.
4. Practice good hygiene: Regularly washing the body with soap and water can help to remove sweat and prevent odor. Showering or bathing at least once a day is recommended. This will also help minimize chances of skin irritation, such as thigh chafing, and even skin infections.
5. Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help to regulate body temperature and reduce sweating.
6. Avoid triggers: Certain foods, beverages, and activities, such as spicy foods, caffeine, and stress, can trigger sweating or make sweating worse. Avoiding these triggers can help to reduce sweating.
7. Try iontophoresis: Iontophoresis is a medical procedure that uses electrical currents to reduce sweating. It involves immersing the affected body part in water and applying a low electrical current.
8. Explore botulinum toxin injections: Botulinum toxin injections, also known as Botox injections, are a medical treatment option for managing excessive sweating, specifically for primary hyperhidrosis. Botox injections work by temporarily paralyzing the sweat glands, which reduces the amount of sweat produced in the treated area.
9. Consider medication: Prescription medications such as anticholinergics or beta-blockers may be used to reduce sweating in severe cases.
10. Discuss surgical options: In severe cases of hyperhidrosis, surgical options such as sympathectomy, where the nerves that control sweating are cut, or sweat gland removal may be considered.

It's important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the best method of managing sweat for your individual needs.

We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.