We’ve all experienced it. You’re hanging out with friends or about to give a presentation. You feel sweat dripping down you, but everyone else in the room seems like they’re chilling. What gives?
Everyone sweats. It’s a healthy body function. But that explanation is too simple. It doesn’t explain the million other questions you have about sweating.
Why do people sweat? And why do some people sweat more than others?
Why Do People Sweat
Today we’re breaking down sweat to the nitty gritty details — the science of sweat, why some people sweat more than others, common sweating triggers, how to know if you’re sweating too much and how to manage sweat.
The Science of Sweat
The human body sweats for two reasons — temperature and a physical reaction to stress or nerves.
The autonomic nervous system regulates body temperature. It controls your body’s unconscious, involuntary actions and internal organs including the heart, stomach and intestines.
There are three parts to the autonomic nervous system: the parasympathetic nervous system, enteric nervous system and sympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system helps your body rest and conserve energy. The enteric system controls gut and digestion.
The sympathetic nervous system controls sweating. It regulates your body temperature, so you don’t overheat.
The human body operates best at around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. When you’re active or your body temperature rises, your body responds by dilating blood vessels and releasing sweat from our pores to release heat and cool off.
The sympathetic nervous system also controls how you physically cope with tense or stressful situations. Also known as the “fight or flight” response, it operates through neurons connected to your body. Although the “fight or flight” response is intended to help us recognize danger, it’s also why you may start sweating during a presentation, first date or another nerve-wracking situation.
Sweat Triggers
There are several reasons why people sweat. Heat and humidity are the most obvious, as well as strenuous workouts and exercise.
But you don’t just sweat when you’re hot. Here are a few other things that can trigger your sweat glands.
- Hot or spicy food: Eating spicy food can increase your body temperature, triggering sweat.
- Sickness: A fever is how your body fights off an infection. When your temperature rises, you sweat to cool off. There are also certain medicalconditions that cause sweating.
- Nicotine: When you inhale nicotine, it releases a chemical that raises your heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature, triggering sweating.
- Pregnancy & menopause: Hormones and blood flow increase during pregnancy, raising body temperature and causing women to sweat more to cool down. Hot flashes, a common symptom of menopause, also cause sweating.
- Medication: Also known as secondary hyperhidrosis, the side effects of certain medications can cause sweating.
- Strong feelings and nerves: Ever start sweating uncontrollably right before a big presentation? You also sweat when you’re anxious.
When is Sweat Too Much?
As sticky and uncomfortable as sweat can be, it is a part of life. But how much is too much sweat?
Why do Some People Sweat More Than Others
Every person has an average of 2-4 million sweat glands. Although everyone has roughly the same number of sweat glands, the amount of sweat released by each gland is determined by several factors, including genetics, gender, environmental conditions, age and fitness level.
If you’re in shape, you may sweat more than your neighbor who never exercises. Fit people tend to start sweating earlier and easier because their body is more efficient at regulating temperature. The more you sweat, the faster your body cools down, meaning you can work out harder for longer.
Larger people also tend to sweat more, since their body has to work harder to cool down. For others it’s genetics — their bodies tend to produce more sweat.
See all the reasons why people sweat.
However, there are situations where sweating becomes a significant problem.
Sweating And Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a sweat gland disorder caused by an overactive nervous system. People with hyperhidrosis sweat up to five times the normal amount.
People with hyperhidrosis experience excessive sweating daily, with no provocation or reason. (Stress and anxiety make hyperhidrosis even worse.)
It’s also common. Over 7.8 million people in the United States suffer from hyperhidrosis, around two to three percent of the population.
There are a few different kinds of hyperhidrosis:
- Axillary hyperhidrosis: intense underarm sweating (An estimated 50.8 percent of hyperhidrosis population have axillary hyperhidrosis.)
- Palmar hyperhidrosis: sweating in the palms and soles of your feet
The Side Effects of Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis isn’t life-threatening, but it can cause stress and unhappiness.
It’s more than a mild nuisance or discomfort. Hyperhidrosis can impede with daily activities, including emotional, psychological, social, occupational and physical impairment.
Here are a few ways that excessive sweating can interfere with daily life:
- You become socially withdrawn or self-conscious
- Change clothes throughout the day to avoid sweat stains
- Trouble grasping objects because hands are too slippery with sweat
- Avoid wearing bright colors that show sweat
- Interfere with daily activities: It’s hard to grip the steering wheel, use a keyboard, avoid shaking hands.
Managing Your Sweat
There is no cure for hyperhidrosis, but there are treatments to ease and manage symptoms.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, speak with a doctor. Prescription-strength antiperspirants, oral medications and iontophoresis treatments can all help reduce sweating.
When it comes to excessive sweating, the same treatment plans don’t work for everyone. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms to find the option that works best for you.
Additional Hyperhidrosis and Sweating Resources:
The Thompson Tee
If you’re struggling with hyperhidrosis or even just the occasional pit stain, a sweat proof undershirt can ease your mind. The Thompson Tee has an integrated sweat proof barrier built into the underarms that stop sweat from seeping through your clothes.
