Sweating on the head " Causes, trivia and tipsIt is normal to sweat. Sweating is a typical side effect of physical exertion at work or during sports, especially at high temperatures.
Under certain circumstances, sweating goes beyond normal levels. Then it is especially important to find out the causes, because excessive sweating on the head and especially on the face causes discomfort, for example, in the social environment, at work and in other areas of daily life. This psychological burden should not be underestimated.
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Your sweat glands produce sweat to regulate body temperature and keep the body from overheating. Sometimes emotional factors also play a role, similar to sweating on the hands. In any case, it is important to replace both the lost fluids and minerals to prevent deficiencies.
Profuse sweating on the head and face
sweating on the head and on the face is extremely unpleasant. The scalp, hair and facial skin can be affected. Frequent sweating of the head can lead to constant itching of the scalp and even hair loss. This results in thinning hair or, in extreme cases, baldness.
From the nape of the neck it has consequences over the neck to the shoulders and the back. If facial sweat is added to head sweat, it can have negative consequences for the skin: Formation of acne and premature aging of the skin. In case of heavy sweating on the head, the hair gets wet quickly. Constantly wet hair due to sweating means risk of catching a cold. If someone is already bald and sweats frequently, excessive sweating puts additional stress on the scalp. Hypersensitivity and eczema may occur.
Causes
But what can be the cause of excessive sweating on the head and face? Sweating is initially a normal body reaction to a rising body temperature, bspw. during sports or stress and exertion. But if a person frequently sweats profusely for no apparent reason, medical advice should be sought. Excessive sweating can have many causes. Sometimes these can be clearly determined, in other cases the sweating occurs idiopathically, that means for no apparent reason in a supposedly healthy person.
Heavy sweating usually starts in adolescents during puberty, sometimes together with so-called blushing, an uncontrollable blush. However, excessive sweating can occur at any age. Often it is a "side effect": caused, for example, by a disease (such as high blood prere or malfunction of the thyroid gland), a side effect of medication, or caused by changes in hormone balance, d.h. when taking the pill, at the onset of menopause, or hormone replacement therapy, as well as due to damage to the nervous system.
In addition to more serious causes, everyday things can also be among the triggers of sudden excessive sweating on the head:
– Excessive consumption of certain alcoholic or caffeinated beverages, as well as the consumption of strongly spiced foods – Wrong clothing – Infectious diseases accompanied by fever – Allergies – Particular stress or anxiety and other strong emotions – Smoking/nicotine
Things to know
The head and face is where a person has a particularly large number of the body's sweat glands, which number between two and four million in total. In addition, you have about 90.000 to 110.000 Hair on the head. One of the functions of the hair on the head is to insulate against heat – but at elevated temperatures, the head of hair can also prevent the removal of excess heat. In addition, there are sebaceous glands on the head, which should prevent the hair from drying out. Sebum, body heat and extreme head sweating can therefore have unpleasant consequences. Examples are itching and infections due to the disturbed balance of the skin's own microbiome.
But of course, the psychological consequences are also not insignificant. Sweating on the head and face is difficult to hide and can lead to insecurity and even social withdrawal. In some cases there is increased sweating of the head, especially at night. This can significantly interfere with a good night's sleep.
Tips
What helps now with excessive sweating in the head area? We have tips against sweating on the head in our guidebook. Composed separately on the face. Some general advice follows here.
If you experience excessive sweating frequently, we recommend that you first keep a diary about it. This may seem terse, but it often helps to notice when the sweating attacks on the head particularly occur.
If you can rule out the above-mentioned everyday causes, the next step is to go to the doctor. It does not have to be a specialist. Go to your general practitioner, who also looks after you and therefore knows you best.
Take your sweating diary with you. Thus possible causes. Connections are sought. It is also best to take any medication you are currently taking with you. Especially if another doctor has prescribed them for you. Side effects of medications can be a trigger for heavy sweating, especially if various medications are taken over a long period of time.
Your doctor can then perform a polymedication check or medication analysis, with the aim of avoiding unwanted side effects such as sweating. This may also reveal indications with regard to incompatibilities with certain foods.
In addition, there are also small everyday things that you can easily implement:
– Shower regularly, and preferably in the evening, or, if you have an attack at night, in the morning. Use a suitable shampoo that gently cleanses the scalp and hair and does not dry them out. – Use a special antiperspirant – Always have a fresh, soft towel with you, for example in your bag, to remove excessive sweat. – Avoid the triggers listed above, such as strongly spiced food and alcohol. – Eat smaller meals, not so much at once. And eat slowly and wisely. Eat foods that do not stress your digestive system: vegetables and fruits with a high water content, such as melons, berries, bananas, broccoli, peppers, eggplant. Thereby you balance additionally your mineral material household. – Avoid excessive heat, in summer and also by wearing clothes that are too warm in winter. – Wear light, breathable clothing – Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking less will not prevent sweating attacks. Only the effects can be more severe when you are dehydrated. – Incorporate sporting activities into your daily routine in such a way that you can rest for a sufficiently long time afterwards. – Fans or small ventilators can bring relief, especially in summer. Always have one with you. Let a light breeze blow around your nose.
Heavy sweating on the head can have psychological consequences as described above. In extreme cases, it leads to loneliness and social isolation. But this doesn't have to be the case: get together with others who suffer from similar complaints and exchange information. You're not alone: one to two percent of the population suffers from excessive sweating. Your health insurance company can advise you on finding or starting a self-help group.