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What It Means

What Sweating Means

Sweating is the release of fluid from sweat glands in the skin. It helps regulate body temperature by cooling the skin as sweat evaporates. Heat, exercise, stress, anxiety, fever, spicy foods, and hormonal changes can all trigger sweating.

Emergency Warning Signs

When Sweating May Be an Emergency

GET URGENT HELP

Do not ignore these symptoms

Seek emergency help for sudden heavy sweating with chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, or pale, clammy skin. Very heavy sweating with a very high temperature or an altered mental state may be a sign of heatstroke and requires urgent care.

  • Call emergency services for sweating with chest pressure, pain spreading to the arm or jaw, or severe shortness of breath.
  • Get urgent help for fainting, confusion, seizures, extreme weakness, or difficulty staying awake.
  • Move to a cool place and seek emergency care for a very high temperature, hot skin, or altered mental state.
  • Seek urgent assessment if heavy sweating occurs with pale or clammy skin and signs of shock.

Possible Causes

Possible Causes of Sweating

  • Heat raises body temperature and commonly causes sweating as the body tries to cool itself.
  • Exercise increases heat production and normally leads to sweating.
  • Fever can cause sweating as body temperature changes or falls.
  • Stress and anxiety can activate sweating, especially on the palms, feet, face, or underarms.
  • Spicy foods, alcohol, and hot drinks may temporarily trigger sweating.
  • Hormonal fluctuations, including those around menopause, can cause hot flashes and sweating.

Causes of excessive or persistent sweating

  • Primary hyperhidrosis causes excessive sweating without another clear medical condition and often affects the hands, feet, underarms, or face.
  • Menopause and other hormonal changes may cause flushing, hot flashes, or repeated sweating.
  • Medicines and substances, including some antidepressants, pain medicines, hormonal treatments, and alcohol, can increase sweating.
  • Low blood sugar may cause sweating along with shakiness, hunger, weakness, or confusion.
  • An overactive thyroid can cause sweating with heat intolerance, tremor, palpitations, or weight loss.
  • Infections may cause sweating with fever, chills, tiredness, or other illness symptoms.
  • Less commonly, heart, neurologic, or cancer-related conditions can cause persistent or unexplained sweating.

Duration Triage Table

What Sweating May Mean by Duration

Duration or patternWhat it may suggestWhen to seek advice
AcuteHeat, exercise, fever, stress, or an immediate illnessSeek urgent help if severe or accompanied by confusion, fainting, chest pain, or breathing trouble
SubacuteA developing infection, medication effect, hormonal change, or metabolic problemArrange medical advice if unexplained, worsening, or associated with weight loss or persistent fever
Chronic or recurrentHyperhidrosis or an ongoing medical conditionDiscuss persistent, disruptive, or night-time sweating with a clinician

Relief Tips

How to Reduce Sweating

  • Stay in a cool, well-ventilated place and use fans or air conditioning when needed.
  • Wear loose, breathable clothing and choose moisture-wicking socks if your feet sweat heavily.
  • Apply antiperspirant as directed, often to completely dry skin at bedtime.
  • Change damp clothes promptly to reduce skin irritation and discomfort.
  • Keep a record of foods, drinks, medicines, activities, and situations that trigger sweating.
  • Replace fluids after heavy sweating, particularly during exercise or hot weather.

When to See a Doctor

When to See a Doctor About Sweating

  • Arrange an appointment if sweating is new, persistent, worsening, or difficult to explain.
  • Seek medical advice if excessive sweating disrupts sleep, work, exercise, or social activities.
  • Discuss sweating that occurs mainly at night, especially when it is drenching or recurrent.
  • Book an assessment if sweating occurs with unexplained weight loss, fever, palpitations, or tremor.
  • Ask a clinician to review sweating that began after starting, stopping, or changing a medicine.

Complications

Possible Complications of Excessive Sweating

  • Heavy sweating can cause dehydration, particularly when fluids are not replaced.
  • Fluid and salt loss in hot conditions can contribute to heat exhaustion.
  • Moisture and friction may cause chafing, softened skin, or rashes.
  • Persistently damp skin can increase the risk of fungal or bacterial infections.
  • Sweating at night may disrupt sleep and leave you tired during the day.
  • Excessive sweating can make work, exercise, hand use, and social activities more difficult.

WATCH FOR COMPLICATIONS

Know the signs of heat illness

Heavy sweating with dizziness, weakness, confusion, vomiting, or an inability to cool down can indicate dangerous heat illness. Move to a cool place, begin cooling measures, and seek urgent medical help if symptoms are severe or do not improve.

Diseases & Conditions

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