Sweating

Men are sweatier than women, even when you take body size into account. Scientists tested volunteers in a laboratory mock-up of a sweltering car. Men lost 250 g of sweat per hour, which was 70 g more than the women (New Scientist 1 June 2002)

About 3% of people say that they sweat excessively. Of course, we all sweat more when we are hot or anxious but excessive sweating may be partly caused by genes – 1 in 3 sufferers says that others in their family have the same problem. Sweating, accompanying hot flushes, is common in women at the menopause. Occasionally, excessive sweating can signify a medical problem (such as an overactive thyroid gland). Antidepressant drugs can also cause sweating especially of the head and neck (Dermatology in Practice 2005;13(1):24–6).

The uses of sweating

Sweating is one of the ways we regulate our body temperature – humans rely on the evaporation of sweat to protect the body against a hot environment (most other animals rely on insulation or panting)
Sweat helps to keep our skin moist
Sweating of the body and hands when we are anxious may occur for a reason – to help us escape from enemies if they try to grab us
Sweat from some areas of the body contains scents (‘pheromones’) that send secret signals to other people
According to New Scientist magazine (10 November 2001), sweat contains a natural antibiotic, dermicidin, that helps to destroy bacteria on the skin

There are two sorts of sweat glands.

Apocrine glands are found mainly in the armpits and near the anus. We each have about 1 million of these glands. They are really scent glands. The sweat that comes from them has a particular smell in each person, and probably includes ‘pheromone’ scents that send messages to other people.
Eccrine glands are responsible for sweating when we are hot. We each have about 3 million of these glands. Every 1 cm² of the back has about 60 sweat glands. On the palms and soles, there are about 600 glands per cm².

If you sweat excessively, it is not because you have too many sweat glands or that they are abnormally large. It is probably because there is a lot of activity in the tiny nerves that control them.

Worries about sweating

Excessive sweating can be annoying in two ways.

The sweat may show on your clothes (for example at the armpits) or give you embarrassingly sweaty palms.
You may be worried about the smell of the sweat. Sweat from most of the sweat glands (i.e. the eccrine glands) is not smelly itself (except the pheromones, which are so subtle that we are not consciously aware of smelling them), but it quickly becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. These bacteria break down sweat to produce fatty acids. It is these fatty acids that have the acrid, penetrating, pungent, ‘stale sweat’ smell. Arm and groin sweat is particularly rich in protein – a favourite of bacteria. Sweat from other parts of the body is saltier and less hospitable to bacteria. This problem can be approached in two ways: sweating itself can be prevented; or the bacteria that cause the smell can be attacked

Doctors are now becoming more sympathetic to people troubled by excessive sweating. They are realizing that excessive sweating can affect your work and social life (British Journal of Dermatology 2002;147:1218–26).

Dr Phil Hammond's entertaining and informative Expert guide to Sweating covers body odour, pheromones and Emperor moths.

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Thursday, June 10th 2010

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Comments on this article

Posted by Ajmal on 25/07/2010 at 10:08:28 pm

I have allways problem with forehead sweat and i am so sad about it because of that i am stay at home and i dont joy my life as well as ordinary people in around me and i doesn't participte partys pls helpe me or else i die early one thing mention i say allways it mean winter and summer

Posted by Pete on 23/07/2010 at 12:01:06 pm

I am slightly overweight but no more than my friends. Any small amount of walking or lifting/bending and I am sweating. Even worse when it is slightly warm. It is more embarassing because I sweat all over my head causing my hair to drip. I have to keep wiping my face and it can't look very good to whoever I'm chatting to

Posted by Optional on 22/07/2010 at 12:05:19 am

i sweat on the back of my head and neck,can anyone help!!

Posted by sue on 15/07/2010 at 01:48:14 pm

RUINS MY DAILY LIFE ANY SMALL EXERSION TRIGGERS A SWEATING EPISODE,SHOPPING IS A NIGHTMARE AS SHOPS ARE HOT PLACES,WET CLOTHES UNDIES TRIGGERS THRUSH HOPE THERE IS SOMEONE ELSE WITH THIS PROBLEM.

Posted by Rohit on 10/07/2010 at 03:39:49 am

My undergarments are always sweaty in humid season,it gives me sexy look infront of girls.but i change it thrice in a day,i like to wear jockey brief and sexy jeans.

Posted by Optional on 09/07/2010 at 02:20:57 pm

I cant sweat. Why is this?

Posted by Optional on 09/07/2010 at 03:44:34 am

facial sweating for no apparent reason. Have thyroid problem but under contol. Recently had successful treatment for breast cancer, but sweating there befor that

Posted by Optional on 08/07/2010 at 11:09:18 am

i have very bad sweat problem under my arm... after about 10 mins i start to sweat really badly. it even goes the whole way down my arm... i went to a pharmacy and they gave me this stuff called DRICLOR. its very good. its been 3 days and there is no sign of any sweat makes... try it, like me if u have nothing to lose then it cant hurt

Posted by Darren on 30/06/2010 at 01:02:38 pm

I sweat as soon as I start any type of exercise, yea for sure I sweat much more in the summer, but even in the cold I can break a sweat, and I think I'm one of the few people who actually like it, my sweat doesn't smell bad or anything, I feel like the more I sweat the longer I can exercise for and sweating like this is actually good for you, it removes all the toxins in your body, It's a problem if you don't sweat because it can be fatal. My personal advice is eat better...don't give your body all those extra toxins to remove and you will notice a difference. I know I don't have a problem with sweating but Might as well get more opinions on here.

Posted by karen on 30/06/2010 at 08:08:48 am

to lynsi who posted on 26 5 2010 hello.one way to avoid having an excessive sweaty groin,is to shave off all your hair on and around your pubic area.i find that by doing this you sweat a lot less,becouse hair traps in body heat.once shaved you will feel a lot cooler and you can wear your tight jeans.i have gave some advice on how to shave pubic hair and how to look after your pubic area after your pubic hair has been shaved off on the shaving rash page.goodluck karen. ps,also to no answers who posted on the 13 6 2010 this page is not awaste of time one question has been answered....karen

Posted by Emma on 28/06/2010 at 01:42:46 pm

I sweat all over, but more-so from my head and feet. I sweat before I'm even out of the shower. I sit with a fan pointing at my feet in the office. I have ruined so many pairs of shoes with sweat marks. My pillow-cases are stained, and I have to change my pillows often because they never dry. It's really getting me down. I'm 41. It's not the menopause - because I'm not ready for all that as well!

Posted by hal on 22/06/2010 at 05:23:08 pm

i sweat mostly under my arms but when im in gym class in school i have to wear white so nobody sees the sweat stains under my arms when i play volleyball. and if i play hard enough my back sweats an its sooo gross.

Posted by no anwers on 13/06/2010 at 01:31:50 am

why do you keep putting questions on here nobody is answering them, the page itself is a waste of time

Posted by Optional on 08/06/2010 at 08:06:39 am

i suffer from excessive sweating now a days.the sweat appears on my face mostly on my chin and upperlips and give an embarassing look.i am obese with 85 kgs of weight

Posted by sweaty on 03/06/2010 at 12:53:05 pm

I'm twelve and i'm a girl and i'm in a competitive gymnastics team. I'm the third tallest but i sweat the most!!!! we won't even be 2 minutes into warmup and i'll already have that dreaded sweat stain ON MY BACK!!! and when i search it on the internet it gives solutions to guys. boys. men. i have a gross man problem. literally my back gets soaked. i went to a bathroom and wrung my leotard and sweat dripped out of it!!!!! its sooooooooooooooo embarrassing. i've used baby powder i've used the secret clinical strength anti perspirant i drink 9 glasses of water and day and a glass of green tea in the morning and in the night. NOTHING HELPS. and there's no chance in hell that i'm getting botox to my back. i've asked for priscriptions but NONE of them worked. i'd like to see the person who has a worse case then me. I'm so so so embarassed 100% of the time. I'll sweat just by sitting down. and i'm not even fat. i mesured 27 inches around my stomach just to make sure i didn't gain wait. any help would be nice.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by www.excessivesweatingcase.com on 28/05/2010 at 06:38:00 am

Hello everybody, You can find more useful information at http://excessivesweatingcase.com we would love to get some feedback

Posted by nervous wreck on 27/05/2010 at 09:52:19 am

everytime i go out within 10 minutes the majority of my shirt is soaked and my face is drenched, it ruins my night and takes away my confidence because people laugh at it. what can i do?

Posted by chrisyboy on 27/05/2010 at 06:48:20 am

I have a problem that i sweat from my forehead when aronud people is there anything i can do to stop this?

Posted by Lynsi on 26/05/2010 at 01:38:55 pm

I sweat from the groin area during hot weather.I cannot go outside if the weather is hot - can only wear dark coloured trousers as the wet patch soon shows. Jeans in hot weather are a definite NO. I regularly have to change my underwear. Help please!

Posted by Austin on 22/05/2010 at 05:10:53 am

I sweat alot!!! and its really embarassing, i find that my back is soaked, goin head. When my girlfriend comes down she notices it and i cant do anything about it, and im constantly having to 'dry' myself with a towel. if im in a bed for a certain amount of time i end up creating sweat patches..i have no idea what to do...

Posted by Rose on 16/05/2010 at 09:14:38 am

female utress removed long years ago, diabetic patient controlling with in limits but,once in while 6months once heavy sweating right from head to all over body drenching over clothes, at times with vetigo and eye blurness. kindly indicate reason, remedial mesures

Posted by PennyLoo on 11/05/2010 at 10:19:26 pm

I SWEAT A LOT. My hands mostly--It totally ruined my social life and growing up i didn't do a lot of things i wanted to do because i was afraid of people touching my hands. Still sweat a lot-- but i'll never get botox. People are just gonna have to learn to except it like i have. :)

Posted by Optional on 09/05/2010 at 09:47:42 am

botox!

Posted by Optional on 30/04/2010 at 07:31:15 pm

i can't find anything about how many cups of sweat are produced in a average day.:(

Posted by Darren on 28/04/2010 at 10:05:09 pm

I have tried a product called perspirex. It is an amazing problem that is very effective. I have been using it for a year already and not once have I sweat under my armpits. I'd advise all of you to at least try this product. You have nothing to lose. Check the website www.perspirex.com for more information.

Posted by helen on 28/04/2010 at 06:53:20 am

i suffer from excessive head sweating which is really embrassing my doctor says that there is nothing that can be doneis this right? i have had this for years. is there any help out there to put a end to my misery

Posted by angela lee on 27/04/2010 at 11:49:41 pm

i hope u can help me my back sweats can u help me please

Posted by kalyan on 27/04/2010 at 07:04:42 am

this topic is very useful for my literatute survey

Posted by Optional on 27/04/2010 at 02:11:42 am

i still have i problem bec i wanna get a touch cellphone but i cant bec of the sweaty hands

Posted by Vineet on 22/04/2010 at 03:30:11 am

My brother sweats badly.He always sweats a lot.He hate light colored shirts.He feels embrassed when he goes to school.

Posted by Ankit on 17/04/2010 at 09:53:33 pm

hi,i'am Ankit, i do suffer from excessive sweating problem.as a sexy teen boy it seems to be good when i sweats infront of girls at school, but i feel very difficult to wear wet ubdergarments. just after taking shower i starts sweating, its very embrassing when my sister saw sweat going down to my body.i don't feel shame when i sweat infront of my friends. but in school and teaution its very embrassing when i sweat badly infront of girls.

Posted by Optional on 16/04/2010 at 04:17:57 pm

i have sweat problem it never goes away even if in hot or not what shall i do?

Posted by Optional on 13/04/2010 at 01:48:14 pm

Ive done so much research on this matter, im a 21 year old female and have had really bad problems with excessive underarm sweat since about 14. Its bad & unfortunatly there seams to be no cure other than surgery. So I live a little darker than I some times prefer. Ive tried all anti perspirants possible with out success, so now my wardrobe consists of all black and/or very dark T-Shirts. Its still there but not a visible issue for people to gock at.

Posted by Frusterated on 08/04/2010 at 11:29:27 am

I can't wear light colored clothes because I sweat so much. It get's twenty below here and I still sweat. My life is revolved aroubd worrying what to wear so I don't show my sweaty armpits. It's gross.

Posted by Optional on 05/04/2010 at 11:25:21 am

after food I can sweat excessively also I suffer from nocturnal sweating, but not everynight

Posted by Optional on 29/03/2010 at 04:25:04 pm

http://www.sweatforum.com/content.php I have just started a hyperhidrosis forum. It's still in it's infancy, but will hopefully grow into a valuable resource.

Posted by Optional on 28/03/2010 at 02:35:15 am

iv became aware that when me and partner start 2 have sex ( foreplay ) , i start 2 sweat and he can taste cigrettes thats the smell coming from my pores and its turning him of sex with me , is there anything i can do ?

Posted by Optional on 26/03/2010 at 07:28:45 pm

Im 23 and I believe i have an excessive sweating problem under my arms, no matter what time of year it is (even winter) i sweat excessively from my armpits. It deters me from wearing shirts/ grey tshirts or anything else which i think will show it up more obviously. Its so bad that i can even sweat when sat at my computer in my bedroom with my pyjammas on. Even going down to my local shops, I will have to change the top i am wearing when i get back (5 mins later) It is a real problem for me and really bothers me, it causes me to lose my self confidence and i regularly end up in public toilets drying my clothes under hand dryers. I have looked into possible solutions, have stopped drinking coffee and other foods which may make it worse, I have bought and attached armpit pads to the insides of my clothing (which work to a point, until the moisture is so severe that they slip off) and have tried different types of deodrant/ antiperspirant but to no avail, I have also researched and considered botox but this can be pricey. does anyone else have these problems as severe? no- one i know seems to...

Posted by Optional on 24/03/2010 at 08:51:55 am

My face, neck and underarms, go red and sweat a lot i am post-menopausal, hrt didn't help

Posted by Sylvia on 24/03/2010 at 04:44:18 am

I have suffered continual day sweats all over my body for years. Is there a tablet i could take for this problem.

Posted by Optional on 23/03/2010 at 03:15:02 am

i sweat alot

Posted by John Kasonda on 22/03/2010 at 07:08:55 am

I am a Priest at my church and sometimes used to serve others Holy communion. Sweating is the biggest problem i have especially when serving others. i feel so embalanced that i would wish I could not serve bcoz someimes I actually feel the sweat on my face almost dripping into the serving cup. How can i stop this sweat and the embrasement i usually experience. Please help. Unfortunately my third born daughter also has the same problem. She sweats a lot especially in the night when she is asleep. Is there any remedie. if so please let me know.

Posted by Optional on 22/03/2010 at 05:06:58 am

e every i am sweating on my back face and head every morning i am takeng antidepressant drugs can that be problem

Posted by Optional on 17/03/2010 at 12:01:08 am

i cant even wear shirt coz the stainz of sweat under my armz looks so pathatic plz tell me how to control this realy very thankful to you

Posted by jason evans on 08/03/2010 at 07:28:38 am

i got problem with sweating i am at training programed i do have bath and i change my clothes and used deodorants but all day this girl upseting me is there any help nhs give me?

Posted by chris on 05/03/2010 at 02:52:29 pm

i lied bout my age. i'm now 48 but my nose has been sweating all my adult life. i didn't mind so much but it is now happening to my youngest daughter. and i know how miserable it mde me a lot of the time. don't want her to go through the same thing. any suggestions please.

Posted by Optional on 04/03/2010 at 08:15:31 pm

over sweating of palms..whats the cure?

Posted by Optional on 03/03/2010 at 10:24:01 am

l have been sweating since l was in High School, is there away that l can go for an operation to stop this excessive sweating. It's so embarrasing & now l am working.

Posted by cecy ! on 02/03/2010 at 08:16:19 pm

well wat can i say im 15 and i have an ENORMOUS sweat prolem so far i havent tried anything from websites. But im thinking of trying something today. HOPEFULLY it does work! but all i can say is that clinical deorderants do not work at all. Thanks bye bye

Posted by James89 on 28/02/2010 at 09:12:21 pm

I sweat a lot when i go out to party at night clubs, or at concerts. I'm always sweaty, especially in the neck and throat area, and arms. even the forehead and face area have excessive sweat, and my clothes stick to me. It doesn't dry until I change and take a shower.

Posted by Optional on 28/02/2010 at 02:38:31 am

i have sweaty hands and feet what could be the problem. i also have cold hands and feet what is the problem i lose weight nowadays very fast what could be the problem are there drugs that cure these problems?

Posted by meeeeeeeeeeee on 27/02/2010 at 01:22:47 pm

omg i was in sixth grade last year and we had to run a mile and wear the clothes all day and the boys would make fun of me so inbarising so now i just wear t shirts and cover then up with sweat shirt beacause within 20 mins i have swat stains

Posted by Botox on 27/02/2010 at 12:37:02 pm

I would luv to do tha botox injection on ma ampits hw much is it an were cn i go in cape town

Posted by T.G on 22/02/2010 at 05:23:29 am

hi ive been sweating all my life my hands and feet ive bought the dearest shoes and power and cream but it still no good when im on the phone or writing etc... my hands sweat that bad i could skit you on the face with the sweat my feet is realy bad to although ive about 80-90 pairs of shoes and i change my socks twice a day. I do find when my feet is dry my hands are as well. Thanks

Posted by Optional on 22/02/2010 at 01:56:00 am

Hi I really need help! I sweat so much! I only have two tops that don't show the sweat and it is really embarasing at school because I sweat through my jumper! I have tried 24, 48 and 72 hour deoderant. I have to reaply it every half an hour which slows it down but still doesent work! In pe it is differcalt because the shirts show sweat really badly. I am only 14 so I am not allowed to have surgery or botox is there anything else?! I have thought about leaving school or even wearing mens clothes which would not be good because I adore fashion! My life is over, isent it?!

Posted by Optional on 19/02/2010 at 04:15:36 am

I'm a 15 year old girl and i hate having this a carnt wear what i want and when doing PE and being at school i have to keep my jumper on which makes me hot then sweat more but its just so embarressing i've never told anyone i have this problem, im thinking i should so my mum can take me to the doctors.

Posted by F.T. on 08/02/2010 at 05:06:00 pm

Reading these entries, it's clear that many of the people in this "blog" (including myself) suffer from Hyperhidrosis. This is a cronic condition and surgery is basically the only way to treat this. You can find more info on this website http://www.hyperhidrosisweb.com/

Posted by margaretha on 29/01/2010 at 09:15:00 pm

i sweat exessively in my face and head most of the time during the day and not so often at night. can you give me more information in this regard?

Posted by troubled on 21/01/2010 at 08:45:00 pm

i sweat round the anus and when i walk it chafes me then i get a sore crevice after a bath its ok for about 4 hrs then starts again help

Posted by Anonymous on 17/01/2010 at 01:30:00 pm

I am only fourteen and i have excessive sweating under my arms its extremely embarrassing being that I'm in high school and i know everybody's looking. Its been like this since 7th grade and I'm in 9th now. What should i do ..someone please help me ?

Posted by tired of being rustrated on 17/12/2009 at 04:31:00 am

Hello, I am a thirty-four year old women who has been laughed at and ridiculed for years now because of my sweat issues. I bathe regularly but as soon as I have any type of activity I sweat horribly and it smells. What do I do?

Posted by Rex on 14/12/2009 at 03:14:00 pm

Hi, i sweat in the groin area and leave spots when i sit. I soak my trouser regularly and wet jeans too. It doesnt really smell bt i cant be myself and cant wear light coloured trousers. I cant even tuck in my shirt because it has to cover my wet trousers. Help me plsg

Posted by confusedsmell on 24/11/2009 at 03:21:00 am

I am 29 years old and since I was in 8th grade I have had an odor to me no matter what I do. I bathe and 2-3 hours later, I smell like onions. I wear deodorant, bathe constantly, body powder, and anything else I can find to help but nothing seems to work. What is this and is there a cure for this? Help!

Posted by Jenny on 12/11/2009 at 04:30:00 pm

I have excess sweating problems, and while I was preganant I found that my sweating problem doubled, however was reluctant to use the majority of my usual deodorants while I was preganant due to the chemicals in them. So found a natural deodorant to use, I tried Alvin Connor's body stick, and it was great! It didnt stain my clothes and reduced the smell. Since having my daughter I have continued to use the deodorant and feel like it has helped alot. Its really good at reducing the smell which I found was my main problem

Posted by Anonymous on 08/11/2009 at 07:34:00 pm

I am 65 and cannot take hormones. I can't understand being past menopause that my face sweats most of the time. Could there be an underlying problem notwithstanding having to live with sweating?

Posted by Jacqueline Wynn on 05/11/2009 at 03:36:00 pm

i have an excessive sweating problem it runs in my family my mum has it and so do my brothers and sisters i use loads of deodrant but it still happens.... im ebrassed to go to the doctor what shall i do?? please help

Posted by Anonymous on 03/11/2009 at 04:17:00 pm

I sweat to excess when i do any walking, it is not just under my arms but my whole body back and front which runs with sweat and soaks my clothes. Can you please advise?

Posted by sweaty betty on 01/11/2009 at 05:34:00 pm

ihad a problem with my hands and armpits sweating had operation got rid of it. but just moved the problem on my back groin and legs wish i had not botherd worse than ever now.just think ever one is looking at you.and your sweat patches

Posted by wetwetwet on 10/10/2009 at 05:17:00 pm

I sweat on my back face and head. It is awful. You have a shower and remain wet even after trying to get dry. Ive not told my friends and so i really worry about going out. I have started to avoid going anywhere now as I just cant face it. Saw dermatologist in the week and she didn't even speak to me. I was addressed as HER or SHE. Talk about rude. Even she didn't care. Just seems no hope!

Posted by Like to cool down on 29/09/2009 at 02:44:00 pm

I sweat so much of the time and mine is mostly from my head, neck and chest area. Sweat really is bad on my forehead and runs down my face. My neck gets very sweaty and then if I touch my neck it is a clammy cold feeling. I can never wear my hair down because of this. I can get out of the shower and sweat will be pouring off me by the time I get my hair dryed. Would like to know something to do about this.

Posted by KiiT-KAT'Ox on 21/09/2009 at 09:16:00 am

Hey, i have a sweat problem and i just been to the doctors about it and she told me to have a blood test done, but i quite scared i dont just sweat under my arms its my hands too, even when its freezing outside i sweat? any reasons why? x

Posted by mr brady on 19/09/2009 at 08:39:00 pm

when ever i sit down on a leather chair or plastic chair theres always a sweat mark why plus i sweat a lot from my head and neck and my hair i have short hair i sweat at my for head

Posted by Anonymous on 10/09/2009 at 08:12:00 pm

When it comes to sweating problems, no one ever talks about back sweat. I am a very petite young woman, but my back sweats way more than anyone I know. It is extremely embarrassing, because, no matter what, my shirts always end up soaking wet.

Posted by Lara on 06/09/2009 at 08:04:00 pm

I sweat in flashes everywhere on my body and I feel sweat comming down my back and neck. Would that be a hormon problem? I stoped HRT recently.