Teenage Night Sweats: Causes and Treatment

Picture this. You get into bed after a long day. After tossing and turning, you finally find yourself in a comfortable position. Your eyes close, and you slowly drift into dreamland…

And then your eyes shoot open. It’s 2:00 AM. You’re exhausted, but you’re awake. In an anxious flurry, you flip into another position… but then you feel it. SWEAT. And it’s not just a few beads of sweat on your forehead. You’re practically swimming in a pool of it.

Now, if you’re thinking “that’s me,” you’re not the only one. Night sweats in teens are common, but they’re not the default. If you’re constantly finding yourself waking up in puddles of sweat, there’s a reason (and more importantly, a solution) for your sweaty struggles. In this blog, we’ll cover the causes and treatments of teenage night sweats so that you can sleep comfortably.

Why Am I So Sweaty At Night?

Let’s make one thing clear – sweating is normal, but constant and excessive sweating is not. Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterized by excessive sweating that is unrelated to external circumstances, like the climate. There are two types of hyperhidrosis: primary and secondary.

Primary hyperhidrosis refers to excessive sweating in one particular area, like the underarms, hands, feet or forehead. People with primary hyperhidrosis often experience daily sweating episodes, and it occurs in the absence of underlying health conditions. It often appears during puberty or teenage years.

Secondary hyperhidrosis, on the other hand, refers to excessive sweating caused by another medical condition or medication. People with secondary hyperhidrosis sweat all over their body, and they’re more likely to sweat while sleeping.

Read more: Sweating in Children: How Much Is Too Much?

Common Causes of Teenage Night Sweats

Here are some factors that could be to blame for excessive night sweats:

Hormone Changes

Hormonal changes – particularly those that come alongside puberty – can be a trigger for sweating. If you notice an odor to your sweat, puberty and hormones could be the reason.

Stress and Anxiety

There’s no doubt that teenage years come alongside an abundance of overwhelm. School- and peer-related stress often trigger anxiety, which, in turn, can result in stress sweating.

Stress sweating is when your body produces sweat due to a nerve-wracking, tense or exciting situation. Although this is commonly triggered by events that occur during the day, it can become chronic and cause night sweats.

Learn more about stress sweating and how to control it.

Illness

Most long-term diseases would have to be quite far along to cause symptoms such as night sweats, so rest assured that a serious illness is likely not to blame for your night sweats. However, night sweats can result from illnesses like the flu or the common cold.

Genetics

Put simply, night sweats could just run in the family. This isn’t a bad thing – it could just mean that you have healthy genes that are keeping your sweat glands running.

Heat

Heat is the most obvious (and, luckily, the easiest to solve) cause of night sweats. Heavy blankets, in-home heaters and the climate can all be culprits.

Medical Conditions

Medical conditions like asthma, allergies and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are common causes of night sweats. If night sweats are your only symptom, you probably don’t have any of these conditions. However, if you do have any of these conditions, it could be connected to your night sweats.

Medications

Many prescription and over-the-counter medications, like desipramine, nortriptyline and protriptyline, can cause hyperhidrosis and night sweats. Although sweating is a rare side effect, it shouldn’t be entirely ruled out. If you are consistently taking medication, take a look at the side effects.

Spicy Foods

Many spicy foods include peppers, which have a chemical called capsaicin. This chemical tricks your brain into thinking your body temperature is rising, so you sweat to cool down. Eating spicy foods can contribute to sweat levels.

Learn more about excessive sweating at night.

Treatment for Teenage Night Sweats

Here are several solutions that could help alleviate teenage night sweats.

Wear a Sweat Proof T-Shirt

A sweat proof t-shirt is the ultimate solution for night sweats!

Thompson Tee’s sweat proof t-shirt wicks away moisture and keeps you cool and dry all night long. Although our sweat proof shirts are designed for daytime wear, they’re comfortable enough to wear to bed.

Switch to Lighter Bedding

There’s no denying that sleeping with blankets is way more comfortable than sleeping without them – but thick blankets are probably contributing to your night sweats. Ditch heavy, fluffy blankets and opt for lightweight blankets made of breathable materials like linen, cotton and lyocell.

Keep Your Room Cool

In warmer months, keep your room cool! Turn your AC on or add a couple of fans by your bedside. Keep your blinds or curtains closed when it’s sunny, and open your window for fresh air when it cools down. A cool room is a cozy room!

Shower Before Bed

Take a cool shower before bed to get your body temperature down before you head to bed. A quick shower goes a long way!

Apply Antiperspirant Night

You may think antiperspirants a daytime thing – but putting it on before bed can help get your night sweats under control. A good antiperspirant is essential to anyone’s hygiene toolbox!

Prefer natural? Check these 11 natural deodorants to tackle sweat and odor.

Meditate to Relieve Stress

If you suspect that your night sweats are stress-related, give meditation a try!

Sitting down, closing your eyes and consciously breathing will help you focus on your priorities, eliminate negative self-talk and put things in perspective. It may sound silly, but give it a try – you’ll be surprised how much it can help! And, lower stress levels mean less sweaty nights.

Stay Cool With a Thompson Tee

Night sweats can soil your night – literally.

Thompson Tee’s patented sweat proof technology has helped countless teens manage their night sweats and achieve a comfortable, full night’s rest. Our shirts absorb underarm sweat, keeping you cool and blocking sweat from reaching your sheets and leaving you feeling drenched.

Try Thompson Tee risk-free today!