There’s nothing worse than looking down to realize you’ve sweated right through your shirt. For some people, it happens more frequently and quickly than for others, leading you to wonder: Why do I sweat so easily? People who are quick to get sweaty might even wonder if there’s a health condition behind their problem, and if it’s something they just have to tolerate for life.
Dr. Alexandra Bowles, a dermatologist at MONA Dermatology, shares that sweating is simply the body’s mechanism for cooling itself, and many things can cause someone to sweat more easily than others. Here’s what she wants people to consider if they are worried about excessive sweating.
Causes of excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis
“Some people naturally sweat more than others, and that can be influenced by things like genetics, hormones, stress, exercise or even caffeine,” Bowles says. “One thing I remind patients is that sweating more than the person next to you doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem. It may simply be how your body regulates temperature.”
Even a small temperature change might set off more sensitive sweat glands that respond more easily to heat, stress or physical activity, she adds. “Hormonal changes like perimenopause, anxiety, spicy foods and certain medications (like SSRIs) can also make people feel like they start sweating more quickly than others.”
Sometimes excessive sweating starts during puberty, especially in men, and is called hyperhidrosis. Many people with this condition have a family history of it, and may experience sweaty armpits, hands or feet, according to Mount Sinai.
How much sweat is too much?
People who always find themselves having to change their shirt before the day’s over might wonder how much sweat is too much, and whether it’s something they need to address.
“Most people have a pretty good sense of when their sweating feels excessive compared to those around them. If you’re regularly sweating through clothing, needing to change shirts during the day or avoiding certain activities because of sweating, that’s often a sign that you’re producing more sweat than average,” Bowles says. “It’s important to remember, though, that there’s a wide range of what’s considered normal.”
When is sweating easily a sign of a bigger problem?
Bowles encourages patients to bring up sweating with a doctor if it’s affecting sleep, causing embarrassment, interfering with daily life or is a significant change from their previous sweating. “In many cases, sweating more easily is simply part of how someone’s body is built, or genetics. However, if the sweating is new, noticeably worsening or happening without an obvious trigger, it can sometimes be associated with things like thyroid conditions, hormonal changes, certain medications, cancer,” she says.
How to stop sweating so much
Start with your primary care physician, who can refer you to a dermatologist. Options for treatment include Botox under the arms or prescription medications. In addition, Mount Sinai shares some benefits from an endoscopic procedure.
“The good news is that there are ways to evaluate what’s causing it and treatment options if it’s becoming bothersome,” Bowles said.