8 Types of Sweating Problems

Sweating is natural and even refreshing at times — like after a hard-earned workout.

But when you sweat profusely without warning, the emotional and psychological side effects can begin to interfere with everyday life.

For at least 3% of the population, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) is a daily struggle. While some sweating conditions are only temporary, primary hyperhidrosis — spontaneous sweating that occurs in one particular area — generally begins during puberty and can last a lifetime.

There are many types of hyperhidrosis and other sweating issues that millions of people across the world deal with every day. Here are some common ones:

1. Generalized Secondary Hyperhidrosis

Unlike primary hyperhidrosis, people with generalized secondary hyperhidrosis sweat heavily across the body, and it’s usually caused by a medical condition or medication. For a more detailed list of symptoms and causes, check out our blog post here.

2. Excessive Armpit Sweating

Known as axillary hyperhidrosis, this form of excessive sweating occurs in the armpits. I’ve dealt with excessive underarm sweating since I was 12 years-old and have blown through thousands of dollars in deodorants and failed products before developing and regularly wearing a sweat proof Thompson Tee. Axillary hyperhidrosis is an expensive and embarrassing problem, but there are some affordable treatment options.

3. Sweating of the Hands

Your palms might get moist when shaking hands with potential clients before a big pitch, but that type of sweating is normal. When your hands or palms constantly feel wet (regardless of the temperature or your emotion), you could suffer from palmar hyperhidrosis.

4. Sweating of the Feet

Tennis shoes or boots can feel like a heat chamber for your feet, especially when exercising or working in the heat. But for those who suffer from excessive foot sweating, the same feelings of wetness occur spontaneously — and even when barefoot.

5. Sweating of the Face, Scalp or Head

Defined as cranial hyperhidrosis, this type of sweating is much more obtrusive than a few sweat drops every now and again. Thompson Tee co-founder Randy shared his story with cranial hyperhidrosis and the emotional & physical turmoil he faced as a result.

6. Situational Sweating

Do stressful situations leave you visibly drenched in sweat? Stress sweating is a type of situational sweating that affects people on a biological level. As a protective mechanism, the body reacts to real-world stressors or threats by activating the sympathetic nervous system and providing a jolt of energy. But as your body works harder, its temperature rises, which also triggers sweating.

For others, feelings of worry or fear cause nervous sweating. Fear or perceived threats stimulate the same bodily reaction as stress sweating, which is why some people with anxiety issues also sweat heavily.

7. Night Sweats

Sweating at night can be symptomatic of menopause, illness or fever as the body works to cool down or a side effect of certain medical conditions or medications. This type of sweating is often temporary but could interfere with sleep.

8. Hot Flashes

Feeling feverishly hot during the day could be the result of hormonal changes that occur during menopause. Hot flashes generally last 2 to 30 minutes and affect women for 10 years on average. However, there are some measures women can take to reduce these frequent sensations of hotness.

Everyday sweating is unavoidable, but excessive sweating doesn't have to be a life sentence. If you sweat profusely in certain areas or even all over, be sure to consult your doctor or dermatologist to learn more about potential treatment options!