Is Sweating Too Much Bad for You? All You Need to Know

Do you find yourself annoyed with the amount of sweat your body releases on a daily basis? Do you ever worry sweating might even be bad for you? Well, don’t sweat it! In this article, we examine the purpose of sweat and its causes. And most importantly, we answer the pressing question, is sweating too much bad?

Why do we sweat?

Your body naturally produces sweat to regulate its internal temperature. When your body temperature spikes, your nervous system instructs your sweat glands to release sweat to cool down your body. Humans have between 2 million to 4 million glands that secrete sweat. There are two different kinds of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine.

• Eccrine glands can be found on the entirety of your body. The sweat they create is odorless.
• Apocrine glands are typically found in your hair follicles in areas like your head, groin, and armpits). When the sweat from them is broken down by bacteria on your skin, it becomes odious.

There are several normal things that trigger sweat, such as hot or spicy foods, too much stress, physical activity, and heat. So, is sweating bad for you? No, it is not. Sweating is a natural and healthy function of your body.

What causes excessive sweating?

Since sweating in general is healthy, you may wonder, is sweating too much bad?

First, let's take a closer look at excessive sweating. If you are sweating too much, it is likely due to hyperhidrosis, a health condition that causes you to sweat up to five times more than the average person. It affects about 1 in 20 people. There are two types of hyperhidrosis:

• Primary focal hyperhidrosis: excessive sweating occurs in localized areas of your body, such as underarms, feet, or hands, while the rest of you does not sweat. This condition is often hereditary and can start as early as adolescence.
• Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis: excessive sweating typically occurs all over the body, and may present as night sweats. It is caused by an underlying medical condition or as a side effect from medications.

How do you know if you’re sweating too much?

Most people know their usual sweating habits and the typical amount of sweat they produce in certain situations. However, you may be sweating too much if you encounter these types of scenarios:

• You sweat more than usual without a trigger, such as physical exertion, eating spicy foods, or stress.
• You start to sweat all over your body without having a fever.
• You sweat from areas of your body that used to stay dry. 
• Your skin stays wet after encountering the initial trigger.
• Your daily activities are interrupted or hindered by your sweat. (A common example is when sweaty palms make it difficult to use a mouse, shake a hand or grip a water bottle.)

If you experience one or more of these changes to your normal sweat habits, then you may suffer from excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis.

Is sweating too much bad for you?

You may still be wondering, is it bad if you sweat a lot? In general, sweating too much is not medically harmful or life-threatening, unless you become dehydrated or overheated.

While excessive sweating may not be harmful to you physically, it can have a negative impact on your life. You may experience feelings of embarrassment, anxiety when shaking hands, distress when your sweat in public, and even social isolation. It may even limit your career advancement or interpersonal relationships due to the stigma.

Do you need to see a doctor if you sweat too much?

Since excessive sweating may be an indication that something else is going on below the surface, you may wish to talk to your doctor about your symptoms. While there is no known cure for excessive sweating, there are medical treatment options to help manage it. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may suggest treatments like prescription-strength antiperspirants, oral medication, Botox, among others.

If you’re not ready to speak to your doctor, there are other ways to manage your excessive sweating. Here are some of our recommendations:

• Use an over-the-counter clinical strength antiperspirant.
• Adjust your diet to eliminate foods known to trigger sweating.
• Use natural remedies to prevent sweating.
• Wear clothes made from breathable fabrics.

We also recommend wearing clothing designed to prevent sweat marks, like Ejis sweat proof undershirts and boxer briefs (buy from our shop or on Amazon). Our sweat proof basics are made premium micro modal fabric in combination with odor-fighting silver and an ultra-thin waterproof layer in the areas you need it the most. So even if you’re sweating more than usual, you can approach your day with the confidence that no one will see it!