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SWEATOPEDIA

Sweatopedia is a leading source of comprehensive, objective, and accurate information on hyperhidrosis.

Body Areas Affected by Hyperhidrosis

How Much Should my Feet Sweat in a Day?

By Katie Crissman /

Is not at all an option? 

While there is no exact standard as to how much foot sweat is too much in a 24 hour period, there are ways to determine whether you are sweating in excess of what is normal or not.

Normal: 

  • During periods of intense activity
  • When exposed to high heat
  • Unbreathable fabrics

However, many people struggle with a condition called hyperhidrosis which causes causes them to sweat excessively.

Hyperhidrosis is defined as sweating that is in excess of what the body needs for thermoregulation. 

Two types of excessive foot sweat: 

Both types can cause someone to have excessively sweaty feet, but primary focal hyperhidrosis is more likely to affect the feet.

Primary focal hyperhidrosis causes excessive sweating on specific parts of the body like the hands, feet, armpits, face, and head.

2.8% of the US population has hyperhidrosis and 25% of those people have palmer (foot) hyperhidrosis so it is relatively common.[1]

Unsure if your foot sweating is excessive, here are signs you might have hyperhidrosis: 

  • You have to change your socks at least once during the day
  • Your shoes and socks reek at the end of the day
  • You leave footprints on floors (really)
  • You are prone to blisters and moisture-caused irritation
  • You hesitate to remove your shoes in front of others
  • You take into account sweat when choosing which shoes to wear
  • Your shoes are consistently soaked, stained, or destroyed by your constant production of sweat
  • You have difficulties wearing flip flops, sandals, and slippers because the sweat on your feet causes them to be slippery
  • You struggle to walk around barefoot because your feet are so wet
  • Your feet are often cold because of the constant presence of sweat[1]

If you sweat so much from your feet that you are experiencing some or many of the symptoms listed above, you are probably sweating in excess of what is normal.

If you suspect that you have hyperhidrosis then it is a good idea to speak with a dermatologist, as the are the best type of doctors to treat hyperhidrosis.

What will the doctor do? 

First up, you'll likely fill out a questionnaire that assesses how much sweating is impacting your life. One of these questionnaires is called the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS).

This questionnaire has patients rank their symptoms on a scale from 1 to 4, with higher scores corresponding to more severe symptoms.

Doctors also use other types of self-reporting questionnaires to determine whether or not a patient has hyperhidrosis and to determine how severe it is.[1]

Other tests:

  • Iodine-starch test
  • Skin conductance
  • Rhermoregulatory sweat test[3]

An iodine starch test can be used to outline the area where excessive sweating is occurring.

In this test an iodine solution is spread over the area in question and a few minutes later starch powder is sprinkled over the area.

The starch and iodine interact in the presence of sweat and create a purplish color. This can tell the doctor how much a person is sweating and where the specific problem is. It also allows doctors to determine whether hyperhidrosis treatments, like botox injections, are working or not.[4]

Skin conductance tests and thermoregulatory tests are not typically needed for a hyperhidrosis diagnosis, but they can help to determine how much sweat a person is producing.

If you do find that you sweat more from your feet than is normal, there are many treatments for sweaty feet that you can look into.

Sources

  1. Pariser, D. M. (2014). Hyperhidrosis (4th ed., Vol. 32). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier
  2. Nguyen, A. (n.d.). How Much Sweating Is Excessive? Retrieved May 31, 2019, from https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/how-much-sweat-is-normal#1
  3. Hyperhidrosis. (n.d.). Retrieved May 31, 2019, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperhidrosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20367173
  4. Haider, A., & Solish, N. (2005). Focal hyperhidrosis: Diagnosis and management. CMAJ, 172(1), 69-75. Retrieved May 31, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC543948/
Lifestyle

Can I Cool my Body by Wiping Sweat off?

By Katie Crissman /

The answer is “no” - you can’t cool your body off by wiping your sweat away. In order to understand why this is let’s take a look at how sweat removes body heat in the first place.

Sweating aids the body in maintaining its internal temperature, this process is known as thermoregulation. This means that sweat works with body temperature in a way that cools the body down. No other automatic physiological processes are able to cool the body down which makes sweating vital to human survival, especially in climates that get hot. Sweat is primarily produced by eccrine sweat glands which cover almost the entire surface of the skin. The body uses as much surface area as possible to maximize its ability to get rid of excess heat.[1]

Before the body initiates sweating, specialized cells in the skin called thermoreceptors sense what the temperature is. When these cells begin to sense that the body is too hot they send a message to a part of the brain called the hypothalamus through the central nervous system. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls thermoregulation and is in charge of turning on and off processes that maintain a constant internal temperature between 91.76 and 100.72 degrees fahrenheit. If the body’s temperature goes above 107.6 degrees fahrenheit cell toxicity occurs, DNA synthesis is stalled, and organ failure begins to occur. Once the hypothalamus is alerted that the body is too hot it activates sympathetic cholinergic fibers which are part of the sympathetic nervous system that activate eccrine sweat glands. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for activating the well-known “fight or flight” response.[2]

Once the hypothalamus starts sending out messages vasodilation occurs, a process in which blood vessels expand. Vasodilation allows heat to escape the body more readily as it brings blood closer to the surface of the skin. Slightly after this occurs, eccrine sweat glands begin producing sweat by taking water and small amounts of waste from the blood. Once a sweat gland has filled with water it releases it onto the surface of the skin. Sweat is then evaporated off the body which allows heat to be transferred to the environment as water vapor from respiratory passages and the skin surface. Essentially, sweating allows the body to remove heat energy from the blood, which goes deep inside the body, to the outside of the body at a rapid pace.[2] Evaporation is an essential part of the process as it is key to the transfer of heat from a person’s body to the external environment. It is thought that each gram of sweat a person produces dissipates about 2,427 joules of energy from the body.[3]

This is why wiping your sweat will not cool you off: you need evaporation to occur in order for the heat in sweat to be transferred into the environment. Evaporation pulls sweat out of the body when water droplets transfer into a gas form. Wiping sweat off the body does not have the same effect. In fact, wiping sweat off of your body will probably make it harder for the body to cool off because it is making the sweating process less effective. The body will have to produce more sweat to lower its body temperature because you are rendering the previous sweat useless when you wipe it off and less heat is transferred. This means that not only will wiping your sweat away make it harder for the body to cool itself, but it is also a good idea not to wipe off sweat when you exercise.[3]

However, when someone has a condition like primary focal hyperhidrosis, which can cause sweating in excess of what the body needs for thermoregulation, wiping sweat can be beneficial.[4] If you are sweating so much that it is dripping down your body then evaporation will be hindered by the fact that sweat is pooling anyways. In this case, wiping your sweat off probably won’t make too much of a difference and it might make you feel significantly less irritated. People with excess body weight can also struggle with sweat evaporation. This is because the surface area of their skin has increased, but not the density of sweat glands they have. This means their bodies have to produce more sweat to make up for difference between the size of their body and the lower amount of sweat glands they have proportionally. People with an increased body size also need to sweat more because it takes more energy for them to move around. This makes them more likely to have sweat pool, less likely to cool off, and leaves them more prone to dehydration. People who sweat excessively, for any reason, need to make sure that they replenish what their body loses when it sweats by drinking water and replacing electrolytes.[3]

Even though wiping your sweat away can hinder heat dissipation don’t worry if you really want to dry off. It will make your sweat less effective, but it won’t really hurt you either.

Sources
  1. Shibasaki, M., & Crandall, C. G. (2010). Mechanisms and controllers of eccrine sweating in humans. Front Biosci (Schol Ed), 292-296. Retrieved May 7, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2866164/.
  2. Tansey, E. A., & Johnson, C. D. (2015). Recent advances in thermoregulation. American Physiological Society. Retrieved May 8, 2019, from https://physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/advan.00126.2014
  3. Palmer, B. (2012, June 22). Let Them See You Sweat. The Slate. Retrieved May 8, 2019, from https://slate.com/technology/2012/06/should-you-wipe-away-your-sweat-or-does-that-keep-you-from-cooling-down
  4. Pariser, D. M. (2014). Hyperhidrosis (4th ed., Vol. 32). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
Lifestyle

Should I Wipe off Sweat when I Exercise?

By Katie Crissman /

Before delving into why you should or should not wipe your sweat off after a workout it is important to understand why humans sweat in the first place. Humans sweat for one vital reason: to dissipate heat and thus maintain internal thermoregulation.[1] Thermoregulation is the body’s way of regulating its internal temperature through certain physiological processes.[2] Sweating is the only automatic physiological response that allows humans to get rid of heat and cool down their bodies making it critical to survival, especially in climates with hot temperatures.[1]

The human body needs to be kept at a core temperature within the narrow range of 91.76 and 100.72 degrees fahrenheit. If the body’s temperature gets too high then cell toxicity occurs, DNA is unable to be synthesized, and organ failure will eventually occur. Thankfully, that is where sweating comes in. When a person is exposed to high heat thermoreceptors in the skin (heat sensing cells) send a message to a part of their brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain responsible for maintaining the correct body temperature. At this point, the hypothalamus activates sympathetic cholinergic fibers, which are a part of the sympathetic nervous system responsible for activating sweat glands. Before sweat is produced the body experiences something called vasodilation in which blood vessels begin to expand and liquid from the blood is transferred to sweat glands. Once the sweat glands are filled with sweat they begin to excrete it onto the surface of the skin. The liquid on the skin’s surface is then evaporated into the surrounding environment. When this happens, heat energy that was originally in the blood is carried into the sweat glands, onto the surface of the skin, and then away from the body when sweat is evaporated. That is how sweating allows the body to cool itself.[3]

All of this information relates to exercise because when you exercise your body’s internal temperature rises. That rise in temperature initiates the sweating response and your body produces more sweat as it tries to cool itself back down.[1]

Should I Wipe Off Sweat During a Workout?

The answer depends on your individual situation. If you want to maximize your body’s ability to cool itself off, then waiting a little while before wiping your sweat off is technically beneficial. However, if you sweat profusely during a workout and it is bothering you or impacting your work out than you should wipe it off. It isn’t really going to hurt you. According to an article in the Slate, each gram of sweat that is evaporated into the environment releases 2,427 joules of energy from the body. If sweat isn’t given the opportunity to evaporate then it won’t be able to release the heat from your body and cool you down. Then your body will theoretically have to sweat more to cool your core temperature, although this is not well studied at the moment.[4]

Some people suffer from a condition called primary focal hyperhidrosis in which the body produces sweat in excess of what the body needs for thermoregulation. Exercising can cause people with hyperhidrosis to become drenched in sweat so that it pulls off the body.[5] In this case, waiting to wipe off sweat isn’t really beneficial. If you are so soaked that sweat is pouring off your body then you aren’t getting the benefit of having sweat evaporate off your skin anyways.[4] Don’t be afraid to wipe sweat off if it is distracting you during a workout or causing you to feel uncomfortable.

It is important to note that showering after a workout is often a good idea. While sweat itself is clear and odorless, bacteria on the skin break it down over time and create a foul smelling odor.[6] This is especially important for people who have a condition called bromhidrosis in which sweat becomes especially stinky.

It is interesting to note that athletes tend to sweat more and sooner than people who exercise less frequently. Their bodies begin to lower their internal temperatures before hitting the intense part of a workout which allows them to exercise more intensely and for a longer period of time before the effects of high body temperature slow them down. It is one of the ways the body can adapt to physical challenges. It is just important to remember that if you are sweating more than it is important to replace the water and electrolytes your body is losing after an intense workout.[7]

In the end, you shouldn't sweat it. If you don’t need to wipe your sweat off, then don’t. If it is bothering you, though, wipe it off and don’t worry about it!

Sources
  1. Shibasak, M., & Crandall, C. G. (2010). Mechanisms and controllers of eccrine sweating in humans. Front Biosci (Schol Ed), 292-296. Retrieved May 7, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2866164/.
  2. Thermoregulation. (n.d.). Retrieved May 8, 2019, from https://www.britannica.com/science/thermoregulation
  3. Tansey, E. A., & Johnson, C. D. (2015). Recent advances in thermoregulation. American Physiological Society. Retrieved May 8, 2019, from https://physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/advan.00126.2014
  4. Palmer, B. (2012, June 22). Let Them See You Sweat. The Slate. Retrieved May 8, 2019, from https://slate.com/technology/2012/06/should-you-wipe-away-your-sweat-or-does-that-keep-you-from-cooling-down
  5. Pariser, D. M. (2014). Hyperhidrosis (4th ed., Vol. 32). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
  6. Huddle, J. R. (2014). Hyperhidrosis: Causes, Treatment Options and Outcomes. New York, NY: Nova Science.
  7. Boston, G. (2015, August 20). Sweat during exercise is good for your health. The Star. Retrieved May 8, 2019, from https://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2015/08/20/sweat-during-exercise-is-good-for-your-health
Antiperspirant

Will Baby Powder Help With Sweating?

By Katie Crissman /

Baby powder, also known as talcum powder, can help to manage some of the symptoms associated with excessive sweating, but it is not as effective as some other over-the-counter topical treatments. It is also important to note that there has been some controversy over whether or not baby powder is safe. The company Johnson and Johnson has been manufacturing baby powder for over 100 years and several generations have used it as a way to manage unwanted sweat.[1]

What’s In Baby Powder and How It Works

Baby powder is typically made from a substance known as talc. It is a mineral found in clay that can be mined from underground deposits. It is one of the softest minerals in the world which is one of the reasons it is so useful. Talc is sometimes referred to as talcum powder, talcum, magnesium silicate, or cosmetic talc. In addition to baby powder, talc is used in several other cosmetic products like mascara, lipstick, blush, and many others. It is also used to make crayons, pills, chewing gum, and many other products. Talc gives these products a silky texture and the ability to absorb water easily. Some baby powders use cornstarch as an alternative to talc, but this is less common. It will say on the label if a particular brand uses talc or cornstarch.[2]

People use baby powder to manage excessive sweat because it is both astringent and absorbent. Astringent means that a substance causes body tissues to constrict which helps them to remain dry. So, when you apply baby powder to your skin it absorbs extra moisture on your skin while also encouraging the skin to stay dry. Baby powder also reduces friction between body parts and acts as a barrier to protect skin. Historically, it was used by parents to prevent diaper rash on babies, although this practice is now discouraged by doctors. Many baby powders also contain a fragrance which helps detract from bad smells that often come along with heavy sweating. Most of the time people use baby powder to help with sweating in the axillary and groin regions, although it can also be used on hands and feet. It is generally less advantageous for those who have craniofacial hyperhidrosis.[1]

Baby powder is not irritating and can be used on sensitive skin. However, it does have some downfalls. It tends to clump when exposed to lots of moisture which can be uncomfortable or unpractical depending on which part of the body it is used on. It is also not as effective as an antiperspirant when it comes to reducing sweat production. Finally, baby powder made with talc, has been subject to controversy for the last several years and no definitive conclusion has been made as to whether or not it is entirely safe to use.[2]

The Difference Between Baby Powder and Antiperspirant

Antiperspirant is the first line treatment for people who have hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes the body to produce excessive amounts of sweat. It usually contains an active ingredient like aluminum chloride, or another type of metallic salt. The active ingredients in antiperspirant are so strong that they are actually able to prevent the body from producing sweat and the FDA classifies antiperspirants as drugs. This means that they are regulated by the US government.[3] Unlike antiperspirants, baby powder can’t stop the body from producing sweat and it is not regulated by the FDA. Often baby powder is not a strong enough treatment alone for those with hyperhidrosis, but it can be a helpful alternative method to manage hyperhidrosis, especially for those with sensitive skin. If you are interested in choosing the right over-the-counter antiperspirant for your situation, or the right type of baby powder, it is a good idea to read the label on the products so you know which products will work best for your situation.[1]

Baby Powder and Possible Health Concerns

It is thought that baby powder made from talc might lead to the development of cancer. This is because, in its natural form, some talc contains asbestos, which is known to be cancer causing. [4] Talc can be contaminated by asbestos because it lines some of the same mines that talc is taken from.[2] However, it has not be proven that all talc is contaminated with asbestos. In 1976 the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrances Association (CTFA) said that all cosmetic products containing talc should be free from detectable amounts of asbestos. However, there is controversy over whether or not consistent exposure to Johnson and Johnson baby powder has led some women to develop ovarian cancer.[4] Roughly 12,000 women filed a lawsuit against Johnson and Johnson citing that using baby powder is the cause of their ovarian cancer.[2] So far, results from studies looking into whether or not baby powder causes ovarian cancer have been mixed. The nternational Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a part of the World Health Organization (WHO), currently does not classify talc as a carcinogen if it doesn’t contain asbestos. The same organization has also said that the use of talc containing powders on the genitals may be cancer inducing for humans. Better studies need to be conducted before an official consensus can be reached.[4]

It is also important to note that baby powder should not be used as a preventative for diaper rash. This is because talcum powder is so tiny that is poses a risk for babies to inhale it and aspirate on it. Several babies have died from baby powder inhalation and doctors have been recommending against its use for decades.[2]

If you have hyperhidrosis and you want to incorporate baby powder as a part of your routine it may be prudent to a little research beforehand. If you are worried about the health issues talc can cause, you can always try a cornstarch based baby powder. Cornstarch does not pose any of the same risks that talcum powder has and it is still quite effective at absorbing sweat.

Sources
  1. Freeman, S. (n.d.). Does baby powder stop sweating? Retrieved May 6, 2019, from https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/sweating-odor/baby-powder-stop-sweating
  2. Rabin, R. C. (2018, December 14). What Is Talc, Where Is It Used and Why Is Asbestos a Concern? New York Times. Retrieved May 6, 2019, from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/14/business/talc-asbestos-powder-facts
  3. Pariser, D. M. (2014). Hyperhidrosis (4th ed., Vol. 32). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
  4. Talcum Powder and Cancer. (n.d.). Retrieved May 6, 2019, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/talcum-powder-and-cancer
  5. Gill, K. (2018, October). Does baby powder cause cancer? What to know. Retrieved May 6, 2019, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323525.php
Antiperspirant

How Can I Stop Sweating After Applying Sunscreen?

By Katie Crissman /

Unfortunately, excessive sweating can make using sunscreen extremely frustrating. This is because sweat accumulation washes away sunscreen at a fairly rapid pace which makes it hard to keep the necessary amount of sunscreen on skin for effective sun protection. According to an article in the Journal of Travel Medicine about sun protection most sunscreens need to be reapplied every 30, 40, or 80 minutes depending on how they are labelled. Those numbers are not referring to average sunscreen either, that is how often you need to reapply “sweat resistant” and “water resistant” sunscreens, depending on their specific labels.[1] That is a lot of work just to keep sunscreen on your skin for a short amount of time. So, it makes sense that people would wonder if there is a way to stop sweating once they apply sunscreen. The truth is that there isn’t an effective way to stop sweating once you apply sunscreen, but there are ways to prevent excessive sweating so that using sunscreen is less of a hassle.

Another issue for people with hyperhidrosis is that sunscreen may make them feel as if they are sweating more than usual which leads people to believe that particular myth about sunscreen and its relationship to sweat. To be clear, sunscreen does not cause people to sweat any more than they usually would, and that fact has been backed up by various studies.[2] One sun cream company’s founder postulates that this happens because, when sunscreen is applied, it makes the surface of the skin smoother so that sweat pools and it feels like you are sweating more heavily than normal. Without sunscreen, the surface of the face is rougher, so sweat evaporates before it has a chance to pool and cause pressure which makes you feel like you are producing more sweat.[3]

Prevent Sweating and Avoid Sunscreen Issues

While you can’t stop sweating once you’ve applied sunscreen, there is an effective way you can prevent it from happening in the first place. You can do this by applying antiperspirant correctly before you slather on the sunscreen. Antiperspirants are over-the-counter topical treatments for hyperhidrosis that usually don’t require a prescription. One dermatologist quoted in a news article recommended that patients clean, medicate, moisturize, and then apply sunscreen.[4] So, applying sunscreen should be the last step in your skin care routine. In the case of antiperspirant, it is best to apply it to clean skin at night before going to bed. An article in the Journal of Dermatologic Clinics states that antiperspirant is most effective when given six to eight hours to soak into skin, so applying it at night can make a significant difference in its effectiveness.[5] The ideal skin care routine for someone with hyperhidrosis, who also needs to apply sunscreen, would be to shower at night, apply antiperspirant to their dry skin before bed, moisturize in the morning, and to apply sunscreen right before heading out into the sun. By doing this you may be able to prevent some of the excessive sweating that is so burdensome when dealing with sunscreen. It is important to remember that sunscreen only lasts for a short period of time and it needs to be reapplied frequently for it to maintain its protective qualities.[1]

Antiperspirant is not the only way to prevent sweating related to hyperhidrosis. If you decide to manage your hyperhidrosis with a doctor, there are several treatment options you can try. Which of these options are best for you depends on where your sweating is the worst and the reason that you are suffering from hyperhidrosis. Some of these treatment options include iontophoresis, topical prescription medications, botox injections, oral medications, localized procedures, and even surgery.[5] Any way that you can reduce sweating prior to applying sunscreen will help you avoid issues with sunscreen washing off due to excessive sweating.

Choose Sunscreen Wisely

Even though sunscreen does not prevent sweating and there is no truly effective way to stop yourself from sweating once you apply sunscreen, the type of sunscreen you use does matter. There is no such thing as waterproof sunscreen, but there are sunscreens that are considered to be “sweat resistant” and “water resistant”. These types of sunscreens are able to withstand heavy sweating or exposure to water for a longer period of time than regular sunscreens. You can tell how long a specific sunscreen can be worn in sweaty conditions by reading the label. All sunscreens are required to tell users how long they can be used in water before needing to be reapplied, most need reapplication every 40 or 80 minutes. Using a water resistant sunscreen may allow you to relax in the knowledge that even though you are sweating heavily your skin is still being protected from the sun.[6]

The most effective way to counteract sweating that occurs after applying sunscreen is to combine the two methods discussed above. Correctly apply antiperspirant before putting sunscreen on and choose a sunscreen that can withstand heavy sweating for a prolonged period of time. While it won’t stop you from sweating, it can make the situation much more tolerable.

Sources
  1. Diaz, J. H., & Nesbit, L. T. (2012). Sun Exposure Behavior and Protection: Recommendations for Travelers. Journal of Travel Medicine, 20(2), 108-118. Retrieved April 23, 2019, from https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/20/2/108/1881585
  2. Davis, John. “Does Sunscreen Affect Your Performance When Running in the Heat?” Runner's Connect, runnersconnect.net/sunscreen-running/.
  3. Why does my face sweat after applying sunscreen? And 5 other sunscreen queries answered! (n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2019, from https://plumgoodness.com/blogs/plumblogs/172572359-why-does-my-face-sweat-after-applying-sunscreen-and-5-other-sunscreen-queries-answered
  4. Brucculieri, J. (2018, March 1). Is Sunscreen More Effective If You Apply It Before Or After Moisturizer? Retrieved April 23, 2019, from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/when-to-apply-sunscreen_n_5a95d6ebe4b0e6a5230236b2
  5. Pariser, D. M. (2014). Hyperhidrosis (4th ed., Vol. 32). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
  6. Latha, M. S., Martis, J., Shobha, V., Shinde, R., Bangera, S., Krishnankutty, B., Kumar, B. N. (2013). Sunscreening Agents. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 6(1), 16-26. Retrieved April 23, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3543289/.
Factors that Make Hyperhidrosis Worse

Why Do We Sweat More in the Summer?

By Katie Crissman /

There is a good reason why humans sweat more in the summer: heat. The summer brings hot weather, and depending on where someone lives, the heat they are exposed to can be significant. But why does heat make people sweat?

Humans are designed to maintain an internal body temperature within a narrow range of temperatures between 91.76 and 100.76 degrees fahrenheit. When humans are exposed to high external temperatures their body has to work in order to cool itself down and keep its internal temperature within a safe range. The main way the body does this is by sweating. Sweat works with body temperature in a way that it allows the body to cool itself down. The body’s ability to regulate its internal core temperature is called thermoregulation and that process is what initiates sweating.[1]

Sweating is the only automatic process the body has to cool itself down which makes it critical for survival. When a person is exposed to high temperatures the body initiates sweating. The brain senses that a person’s internal temperature is beginning to rise in response to their environment and it activates the sympathetic nervous system. This is a branch of the nervous system that is responsible for activating automatic bodily functions, including the “fight or flight” response. The sympathetic nervous system is attached to eccrine sweat glands via sympathetic cholinergic fibers which activate the sweat glands. Eccrine sweat glands are located all over the body and they are where sweat is produced and pumped onto the surface of the skin. There is another type of sweat gland, called apocrine sweat glands, but they are not thought to be used in thermoregulatory processes. When sweat glands are activated, vasodilation (expanding of the blood vessels) begins and sweat glands begin taking liquid from blood vessels and secreting it onto the surface of the skin. Sweat is made of water, for the most part, and once sweat is on the skin it is rapidly evaporated off into the surrounding environment as water vapor. When sweat leaves the skin it carries heat energy with it that was previously inside the body, thus cooling the body down. When the body has cooled itself enough the brain sends signals to the sweat glands to stop producing sweat and the process is halted.[1]

This is all a normal part of why humans sweat, and it is part of what allows to exist in so many varied environments on the planet. Without the ability to sweat, summer would be a lot more deadly.

Sources
  1. Tansey, E. A., & Johnson, C. D. (2015). Recent advances in thermoregulation. American Physiological Society. Retrieved April 18, 2019, from https://www.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/advan.00126.2014.
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