Sweating is normal. But for some people, sweating too much becomes downright obtrusive, stressful and even embarrassing.
Beyond the inconvenience and the need to carry around an extra shirt in case you sweat through the first one, people with this condition might worry that it’s a sign of a medical problem.
People experiencing this are far from alone. Recent research shows that around 5% of the population suffers from excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis. Cindy Vo, aesthetic registered nurse at Serenity Aesthetics & Wellness, shares what to look for and what can be done about excessive sweating.
Reasons someone might have excessive sweating
“Some people naturally sweat more because their sweat glands are overactive. Excessive sweating can be caused by medical conditions, hormonal
fluctuations, stress and anxiety, certain medications or increased sensitivity to heat,” Vo says.
Of course, a single symptom like this is listed as a potential symptom for a variety of conditions, from infections to cancer to hormonal changes like menopause, according to Mayo Clinic. In fact, 75% of women in menopause experience hot flashes, which include sweating spells, according to UCLA Health. You shouldn’t worry about sweating alone, though you should bring it up to a doctor if it’s a noticeable change from your previous amounts of sweating, Vo says.
How much sweating is considered 'excessive'?
Though it differs person to person, excessive sweating is defined as sweating that goes beyond what a body needs to do for temperature regulation, Vo shares. “If someone is sweating enough to regularly soak through clothing, interfere with daily activities or occur even when they are not exercising or in a hot environment, it may be considered excessive.”
Sometimes this is more localized to certain areas of the body. Most commonly, Vo says excessive sweating happens in the armpits, palms, soles of feet, face and scalp, though others have more widespread sweating.
Talk to a doctor if it's affecting your quality of life. Vo adds, “a physician can help determine whether there is an underlying cause and discuss potential treatment options.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why you should pay attention to excessive sweating
