General
Excessive sweating
Excessive sweating means sweating more than the body needs to cool itself, which can affect the whole body or just certain areas.
Education and reference only. This explains the common causes of excessive sweating and the warning signs that need urgent help, in plain language — it is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a clinician. If you feel very unwell or are worried, seek medical help.
Quick answer
What is excessive sweating?
Sweating is the body's normal way of cooling down, and it is expected with heat, exercise, stress or spicy food. Excessive sweating means producing far more sweat than needed, sometimes soaking through clothes or making everyday tasks awkward, even when you are not hot.
- Get urgent help: Sudden heavy sweating with chest pain, breathlessness or pain spreading to the arm or jaw — this can be a heart attack; call 999. Sweating with a high temperature and feeling very unwell or confused — this can be sepsis; seek urgent help.
- Self-care: Light, loose, breathable clothing in natural fabrics helps, as does keeping cool, staying hydrated and avoiding known triggers such as spicy food, alcohol and very hot drinks.
About excessive sweating
Sweating is the body's normal way of cooling down, and it is expected with heat, exercise, stress or spicy food. Excessive sweating means producing far more sweat than needed, sometimes soaking through clothes or making everyday tasks awkward, even when you are not hot. It may affect particular areas such as the hands, feet, underarms or face, or it may involve the whole body. Often there is no underlying illness and it simply reflects overactive sweat glands, but sometimes it is a sign of an overactive thyroid, hormonal change such as the menopause, anxiety, or other conditions. New or one-sided sweating, or sweating with other symptoms, is worth checking.
When to get help
Call 999 or go to A&E if excessive sweating comes with any of these warning signs:
- Sudden heavy sweating with chest pain, breathlessness or pain spreading to the arm or jaw — this can be a heart attack; call 999.
- Sweating with a high temperature and feeling very unwell or confused — this can be sepsis; seek urgent help.
- Heavy sweating with unexplained weight loss or a fast or irregular heartbeat — get prompt assessment.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if sweating is interfering with your work, sleep or social life, if it has come on suddenly or recently changed, or if it only affects one side of the body. It is also worth being seen if heavy sweating comes with weight loss, a racing heartbeat, fever, night sweats, or you are going through the menopause and symptoms are hard to manage. There are effective treatments for excessive sweating, and finding any underlying cause can resolve it.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
What can cause it
Common causes of excessive sweating
Excessive sweating has many possible causes. Each links to a full, plain-language guide to that condition — what it is, how it's treated and when to seek help.
What helps
Self-care and what you can do
Light, loose, breathable clothing in natural fabrics helps, as does keeping cool, staying hydrated and avoiding known triggers such as spicy food, alcohol and very hot drinks. A strong antiperspirant, used as directed, can reduce underarm sweating, and changing socks and using moisture-absorbing insoles helps sweaty feet. Managing stress through relaxation and good sleep can ease sweating that is triggered by anxiety. Keeping a fresh set of clothes handy and washing regularly to control odour can make daily life more comfortable while you work out what is behind the sweating.
Answers
Excessive sweating: frequently asked questions
Why do I sweat so much even when I am not hot?
Some people have overactive sweat glands that switch on without an obvious trigger, which is called hyperhidrosis. Other times heavy sweating reflects an overactive thyroid, hormonal change, anxiety or another cause worth checking.
Can excessive sweating be a sign of a thyroid problem?
Yes. An overactive thyroid speeds up the body and often causes heat intolerance, sweating, a racing heartbeat and weight loss. A simple assessment can check for this.
Is night sweating something to worry about?
Occasional night sweats from a warm room are usually harmless, but regular drenching night sweats, especially with weight loss or fever, should be checked. Around the menopause they are common and treatable.
What can I do about sweaty hands or underarms?
Strong antiperspirants, breathable clothing and managing stress all help. If everyday measures are not enough and the sweating affects your life, a doctor can discuss further treatments.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Hyperhidrosis.
- Women's Health Concern (menopause information)
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