What should you know about sleep hyperhidrosis?

Sweating helps regulate body temperature, but soaked clothing or bedding in a cool room is different from ordinary warmth. The pattern may be localised or affect much of the body. Bedroom heat, heavy bedding, alcohol, anxiety, hormonal changes, medicines, infection, and other medical conditions can contribute. Moisture held against the skin can trigger prickly heat, irritation between skin folds, or colour changes from a yeast-related rash. Note when episodes occur, which areas sweat, associated symptoms, and any new medicines.

Keep the bedroom comfortably cool, choose breathable sleepwear, and use bedding that can be changed easily. Shower or gently wash sweaty areas, dry skin folds carefully, and avoid fragranced products on irritated skin. Replace fluids after heavy sweating. A clinician may discuss prescription antiperspirant, iontophoresis, botulinum toxin treatment, or microwave sweat gland treatment depending on the distribution, cause, and impact of sweating. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without advice.

Book a medical review when night sweating is repeated, new, unexplained, or disrupting sleep, especially if it began after a medicine change. Seek urgent care for sweating with chest pain, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, or signs of serious infection. Arrange prompt advice for unexplained weight change, persistent fever, swollen glands, or a new widespread rash. Skin that stays wet, cracked, painful, or foul-smelling may need treatment for infection or inflammation.

Ask what could explain the timing and distribution, whether a medicine or health condition may contribute, how to protect your skin, and which treatment is appropriate. Bring a list of medicines and a brief record of sweating episodes.