What should you know about excessive sweat glands?

Sweat glands normally cool the skin, but nerve signals can make them active during mild warmth, emotion or rest. Some people sweat mainly from the underarms, palms, soles or face; others notice broader sweating. A long-standing, fairly even pattern on both sides may fit primary hyperhidrosis, while new or widespread sweating can have another trigger. Medicines, hormonal changes, an overactive thyroid, low blood glucose, sleep-related breathing problems and heat illness are examples a clinician may consider. The symptom itself does not identify one cause.

Record where sweating occurs, when it starts, night-time episodes, triggers, medicines and effects on work or sleep. Wear breathable clothing, change damp garments, dry skin folds carefully and use an antiperspirant as directed on completely dry skin. A clinician can assess the pattern and review treatment choices. Options may include prescription topical products, electrical treatment such as iontophoresis, injections that temporarily reduce nerve signals to selected glands, or energy-based treatment for suitable underarm cases. Discuss expected effects and skin-care precautions before treatment.

Arrange a medical assessment if sweating is new, worsening, soaking at night, affecting the whole body or interfering with routine activities. Seek urgent help for heavy sweating with confusion, fainting, chest discomfort, severe weakness, breathlessness, hot dry skin or inability to keep fluids down, because these can accompany heat illness or another acute problem. Sudden sweating with shakiness or marked dizziness also needs prompt attention, especially for someone using glucose-lowering medicine.

Could my sweating pattern suggest a primary sweating disorder or another condition? Which medicines or health changes should we review? Would testing be useful? Which treatment fits the areas affected, and how should I protect my skin while using it?