What should you know about hyperhidrosis at night?

A warm bedroom, thick bedding, fever, hormonal changes, alcohol, stress and some medicines can all increase sweating at night. Hyperhidrosis may also continue during sleep, but sweating that is new or markedly different should not be self-labelled. Record when episodes happen, whether the room was cool, what medicines you take, and whether you have daytime sweating. Damp skin can become itchy or irritated, and repeated moisture may aggravate heat rash, intertrigo or tinea versicolor.

Keep the room comfortably cool, choose breathable sleepwear and bedding, and replace wet clothing so skin can dry. Avoid applying strong antiperspirant to damp or freshly shaved skin because irritation is more likely. A clinician can review medicines and symptoms before recommending treatment. Depending on the pattern, options may include Prescription Antiperspirant, Botox For Sweating or another approach such as Iontophoresis.

Book a medical review when night sweating is repeated, soaking, unexplained, or associated with daytime symptoms, tiredness, fever, cough, swollen glands or unexplained weight loss. Seek urgent help if sweating comes with chest pain, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion or severe weakness. Do not delay assessment when symptoms began soon after a new medicine or are rapidly worsening.

Ask what causes should be considered, whether your medicines need review, which examination or tests are appropriate, and how to manage moisture-related skin irritation while the cause is being assessed.