“Why do I sweat so much?” An expert reveals the causes of excessive sweating

How often do you find yourself asking the question: “Why do I sweat so much?”. While we’ve all experienced a bout of unexpected, excessive, and sometimes embarrassing, sweating at some point or another: the ill-prepared presentation; that awkward first date. And not forgetting – this week’s unbearably sweaty commutes (hello heatwave). For some, however, sweating is a daily struggle that’s only exacerbated when temperatures begin to climb.

And if you’ve been wondering why you sweat so much, you’re not alone. According to a survey of 2000 British participants carried out by Odaban, 54.7% of us think that we sweat more than the average person. Meanwhile, around 3-5% of the global population suffers from hyperhidrosis, the term used to describe excessive sweating.

While the impending heatwave may have you concerned about sweating more than normal, it’s important to understand what’s causing your sweating in the first place, plus, understanding the best treatments for you. Below, we speak to skincare expert and leading aesthetic doctor, Dr. David Jack, for his insight – plus, uncover some useful tips to help keep excessive sweating at bay.

Why do I sweat so much?

If you’ve been repeatedly asking yourself the same question, but you’re still unsure why you might be sweating more than normal, you’ve come to the right place.

There are a few things that may cause you to sweat more easily beyond the more obvious hot weather:

1. Hormonal changes
2. Lifestyle habits, like consuming too much alcohol or caffeine
3. Hyperthyroidism; an overactive thyroid
4. Fevers or illness

But, first things first, why do you even sweat to begin with? Sweating is actually your body’s way of regulating your body temperature. Through evaporation, sweating helps your body cool down, which is why most people tend to sweat more when the weather is hotter.

Sweating is completely normal and natural. But for some people, the glands responsible for sweating (the apocrine glands) are overactive and produce more sweat than is actually needed. This is referred to as excessive sweating – or hyperhidrosis – and can occur in various parts of the body, such as the underarms, palms, soles of the feet and face.

What is hyperhidrosis?

“Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that goes beyond normal sweating and involves excessive perspiration,” shares Dr Jack. “The condition can significantly impact an individual’s daily life, leading to social embarrassment, reduced self-confidence and interference with daily activities.”

There are two main types of hyperhidrosis: primary and secondary. “Primary hyperhidrosis is the most common form and typically starts during adolescence. It has no underlying medical cause and is often hereditary,” he says. “On the other hand, secondary hyperhidrosis is less common and occurs as a result of an underlying condition or medication.”

Can you treat excessive sweating?

Treating hyperhidrosis involves different options depending on the severity and the individual’s needs, shares Jack. “Topical antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride hexahydrate are commonly used to manage excessive sweating, as these prescription-strength antiperspirants help reduce sweating by temporarily blocking the sweat glands.”