Sweating

Skin layers

The skin is the largest organ of the body. The skin and its derivatives (hair, nails, sweat and oil glands) make up the integumentary system. One of the main functions of the skin is protection. It protects the body from external factors such as bacteria, chemicals, and temperature. The skin contains secretions that can kill bacteria and the pigment melanin provides a chemical pigment defense against ultraviolet light that can damage skin cells. Another important function of the skin is body temperature regulation. When the skin is exposed to a cold temperature, the blood vessels in the dermis constrict. This allows the blood which is warm, to bypass the skin. The skin then becomes the temperature of the cold it is exposed to. Body heat is conserved since the blood vessels are not diverting heat to the skin anymore. Among its many functions the skin is an incredible organ always protecting the body from external agents.

Also known as: Perspiration

Definition

Sweating is the release of a salty liquid from the body's sweat glands. This process is also called perspiration.

Sweating is an essential function that helps your body stay cool. Sweat is commonly found under the arms, on the feet, and on the palms of the hands.

Considerations

How much you sweat depends on how many sweat glands you have. A person is born with about two to four million sweat glands. The glands start to become fully active during puberty. Women have more sweat glands then men, but men's glands are more active.

Because sweating is the body's natural way of regulating temperature, people sweat more when it's hot outside. People also sweat more when they exercise, or in response to situations that make them nervous, angry, embarrassed, or afraid.

Excessive sweating may also be a symptom of menopause.

See also:

Common Causes

  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Cancer
  • Certain medicines, including thyroid hormone, morphine, drugs to reduce fevers, and medicines to treat mental disorders
  • Emotional or stressful situations (anxiety)
  • Exercise
  • Fever
  • Infection
  • Low blood sugar
  • Menopause
  • Overactive thyroid gland
  • Spicy foods (known as "gustatory sweating")
  • Warm temperatures
  • Withdrawal from alcohol or narcotic pain killers

Home Care

After sweating, you should:

  • Wash your face and body
  • Change clothes and bed sheets
  • Drink plenty of water to replace lost body fluids
  • Slightly lower room temperature to prevent more sweating

Call your health care provider if

Contact your health care provider if sweating is accompanied by:

  • Fever
  • Weight loss
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rapid, pounding heartbeat

These symptoms may indicate a problem, such as hyperthyroidism or infection.

Also call your health care provider if:

  • You sweat a lot or sweating lasts for a long time or can't be explained.
  • Sweating occurs with or is followed by chest pain or pressure.
  • Sweating is accompanied by weight loss or most often occurs during sleep.

References

Saper CB. Autonomic disorders and their management. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 445.

See also:

  • Symptoms

    Sweating - absent

    Skin layers

    An abnormal lack of sweat in response to heat may be harmful, because sweating allows heat to be released from the body. The medical term for absent sweating is anhidrosis.

  • Disease

    Hyperthyroidism

    Endocrine glands

    Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. The condition is often referred to as an “overactive thyroid.”

  • Disease

    Hyperhidrosis

    Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which a person sweats excessively and unpredictably. People with hyperhidrosis may sweat even when the temperature is cool or when they are at rest.

  • Disease

    Menopause

    Menopause

    Menopause is the transition period in a woman’s life when her ovaries stop producing eggs, her body produces less estrogen and progesterone, and menstruation becomes less frequent, eventually stopping altogether.

Review date:
May 3, 2009
Reviewed by:
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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