How to manage excessive sweating

Sweating is normal for cooling, but it becomes a concern when it is frequent, heavy, occurs without heat or exercise, or disrupts work, sleep, clothing, and social activities. It may mainly affect the palms, soles, underarms, or face. New widespread sweating can sometimes accompany another health problem, so its timing and associated symptoms matter.

Keep a brief record of when sweating occurs, the body areas involved, foods or medicines that precede it, and whether it happens during sleep. Use breathable clothing, dry skin folds carefully, and apply an appropriate antiperspirant as directed. A clinician may discuss iontophoresis for selected areas, Botox for sweating, or microwave sweat gland treatment depending on the location, skin condition, and medical history.

Seek urgent medical help for sudden sweating with chest discomfort, faintness, severe breathlessness, confusion, or weakness. Arrange assessment for night sweats, unexplained weight change, fever, tremor, racing heartbeat, or sweating that begins after a new medicine. Heat exhaustion can worsen quickly with dizziness, headache, nausea, or unusual tiredness.

Ask whether your pattern suggests primary hyperhidrosis or another cause, whether medicines or thyroid symptoms are relevant, and which treatment matches the affected areas. Tell the clinician if episodes occur during sleep or with hunger, snoring, or daytime sleepiness.