Why do we sweat?
In a nutshell, facial sweating is the human body's mechanism to cool down. When your body temperature rises, your nervous system sends signals to your sweat glands. This causes sweat to be secreted onto the skin, which then evaporates and effectively cools the surface.
Why do some people sweat more than others? The nerves responsible for triggering the sweat glands are more active in people who sweat a lot. These overactive nerves can cause sweating for no apparent reason or excessive sweating when your body temperature rises.
Increased sweating during sports
High physical activity is one of the reasons for increased sweating. A rapid heartbeat and an increase in overall body temperature require compensation - sudden cooling of the body. For physically active people, increased facial sweating can be a serious obstacle to exercise. A clean towel that needs to be used to wipe your face from time to time can save the situation. If possible, wet the towel with clean cold water. It is important to remember that before class you need to get rid of makeup on your face.
Sweating during sports is even beneficial, since harmful substances and salts leave the body along with sweat.
Is excessive facial sweating a medical condition?
Excessive facial sweating is known as hyperhidrosis, although this does not specifically apply to the face. Hyperhidrosis causes excessive sweating in the palms, legs, armpits, and/or facial area, including the scalp and neck.
There are many reasons why a person may develop hyperhidrosis. Causes may be hereditary, related to nervous system problems, anxiety, or simply a result of heat and exercise. There are two types of hyperhidrosis: primary and secondary.
Secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by an external factor, such as medication or an underlying medical condition. Secondary hyperhidrosis will most likely affect the entire body or at least larger areas.
Primary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that has no external cause. When doctors cannot find another explanation for this condition, it is usually called primary hyperhidrosis.
Symptoms
Facial sweating can be a concern regardless of the time of year.
A person can quickly detect hyperhidrosis of the head and face because it has characteristic symptoms. Excessive sweating manifests itself differently in each person, which depends on the degree of the disease and the individual characteristics of the body. The table shows the main stages of facial hyperhidrosis and the characteristic symptoms of each of them.
Degree | Name | Manifestations |
1 | Lightweight | The facial area does not sweat very much, the problem is not noticeable from the outside |
2 | Average | The face, neck, and forehead began to sweat profusely, which is noticeable to others |
Development of the complex and discomfort due to the problem of sweating | ||
3 | Heavy | Heavy sweating with a sour odor |
Drops of sweat run down all over the face, causing irritability and nervousness |
In addition to these symptoms, the patient complains of other manifestations that signal a serious disorder. Facial sweating in women and men is often accompanied by the following symptoms:
- sweating at night and early in the morning before waking up;
- sensation of a sharp, sour odor;
- the occurrence of a fever, swollen lymph nodes, cough;
- facial redness;
- cold sweat and clammy skin;
- blue discoloration of the skin.
If an adult finds that his face is sweaty, itchy, painful, and scales appear on his face, he should immediately consult a doctor. Such manifestations indicate a fungal or infectious infection.
Facial sweating: what are the causes?
Although gene markers or other hereditary factors have not been linked to facial hyperhidrosis, many doctors believe its cause may be hereditary. They make this assumption based on the fact that the condition appears to affect multiple people in families.
Heat and stress are normal causes of sweating. In some people, however, they cause excessive sweating.
Anxiety is another trigger for this condition, along with other mental health issues. It makes sense that the overactivity of the nervous system associated with anxiety can cause sweat glands to overproduce.
Some medical conditions can cause excessive facial sweating. Some examples are hormonal imbalance, overactive thyroid, diabetes, low blood sugar, heart attack, certain cancers and infectious diseases.
What is hyperhidrosis
Facial hyperhidrosis is a disease that causes excessive sweating. The disease can appear on the body, in the armpits, on the face
Hyperhidrosis can occur in people of any age, even children.
Doctors divide this disease into 3 degrees of severity: I simple. The face sweats, but it is not too pronounced and is not noticeable to others. II average. A person’s face sweats for no reason; drops of sweat can be seen quite often. What he begins to be ashamed of, self-doubt appears.III severe. Sweating occurs suddenly and has a sour smell, this happens several times a day for no reason, there is swelling of sweat behind the collar, and an increased feeling of tightness.
People with intense sweating feel constant discomfort and their lives deteriorate significantly. To get rid of hyperhidrosis, you should contact a specialist dermatologist or neurologist.
Causes
When determining methods for treating excessive facial sweating, it is very important to conduct an examination that will help eliminate unnecessary factors
Excessive sweating of the face has many prerequisites for its occurrence. Most often it is associated with a disorder in the functioning of the sympathetic nervous system and its increased activity.
When determining methods for treating excessive facial sweating, it is very important to conduct an examination that will help eliminate unnecessary factors, primarily hormonal origin, allergies to food or medications, and dermatological influences. Fatty and spicy foods almost always cause increased moisture secretion in the facial area.
Fatty and spicy foods almost always cause increased moisture production in the facial area.
Listen to the following reasons: - hormonal imbalances in the body; - inappropriate nutrition or diet; - reaction to medications; - disturbances in the functioning of internal organs; - neurotic disorders; - skin reaction to decorative cosmetics.
How to choose the right face cream, read the article.
It is worth carefully observing the periods of recurrence of such a problem and drawing conclusions.
Diagnostics
There are several tests you can do to find out if you have hyperhidrosis. Your doctor will determine whether a starch-iodine test (uses a powder to determine where sweating occurs), a paper test (special paper is used to measure sweating), or blood tests.
As almost always when it comes to your health, you should consult your doctor before making any decisions about facial sweating. This condition may indicate one of the serious health conditions listed above. Checking with a doctor can save your life!
Possible reasons
There are a number of reasons that can cause such a pathology. It is enough to remove physiological factors, and the problem will be solved. But pathological processes in the body cause reactions that provoke not only increased sweating of the face, but also disorder of other organ systems. This clinical picture requires treatment of the underlying disease.
Nutrition
Eating spicy, sour and too salty foods, fried, fatty foods, fast food, carbonated sweet drinks has a detrimental effect not only on the digestive tract, but also on the entire body as a whole. From such food, toxins are deposited in the body, the skin of the face becomes flabby and dull. The pores become clogged and your face begins to sweat quickly. Sweat may have an unpleasant odor and be released in large quantities.
Endocrine disorders
Problems with the thyroid gland and diabetes cause thermoregulation disorders. The body believes that the temperature is elevated, so you urgently need to get rid of the heat through perspiration (the fastest way). And with diabetes, glucose is retained in the blood, which also increases facial sweating.
Side effects of medications
Sweating in diabetes Sweating in thyroid diseases
Some medications (aspirin, indirect anticoagulants, antidepressants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) have side effects such as increased sweating. This can be easily eliminated by simply stopping the flow of the substance into the body.
Hormonal imbalance
The formation of menstrual function, monthly hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy and childbirth, menopause - changes are the reason why a woman’s face sweats. Estrogens and progesterone are important components in the regulation of homeostasis. Therefore, fluctuations in their content and relationship with each other can provoke the development of facial hyperhidrosis.
Obesity
Excess weight is the cause of many diseases. The body cannot compensate for the presence of extra pounds for a long time. Intense work, slow metabolism, and disruption of the timely elimination of toxins provoke the compensatory development of facial sweating.
Nervous overstrain
Emotional stress, nervous exhaustion, and constant stress affect the state of the autonomic nervous system. Pathological impulses of the sympathetic branches begin, all underlying neuromuscular synapses begin to work, and smooth muscles begin to contract. The sacs of the sweat glands push the secretions out, resulting in increased sweating on the face.
Heredity
Idiopathic facial hyperhidrosis is usually caused by several reasons:
- increased work of the secretory glands,
- increased concentration of apocrine glands per unit area.
That is, in such people the productivity of the glands is much more active, which is ensured either by the number or by the increased speed of work.
Cosmetics
Constant use of decorative cosmetics (foundation, powder, concealer and other means of masking defects), poor-quality products, and insufficient cleansing of the facial skin before bed can affect the condition of the sweat glands. They can become clogged, as a result of which their activity expands even more. Secretory organs try to clear their passage for normal high-quality perspiration. The nose, cheeks, chin, forehead and upper lip may also sweat as an allergic reaction.
Facial sweating: home remedies for treatment
As with many symptoms and conditions, there are several home remedies described online. Some people have achieved great results. If you suffer from excessive facial sweating, these remedies may be worth a shot. However, I should note that the science for many of these treatments is shaky, so your mileage may vary.
Green Gram Dal
A bean often used in Indian cuisine, green gram dal has been successfully used to treat excessive sweating on the face. You can simply wet the pulse and make a face paste using a teaspoon of milk. This is said to help control the condition for up to fifteen days.
Cucumber juice
A natural cooling, soothing and anti-inflammatory, cucumber is used to soothe a variety of facial problems, including facial sweating. Simply take the juice of a fresh cucumber and soak a cotton ball in the resulting juice and swipe over your skin to keep your face cool and sweat-free for hours!
Cucumber slices
You've seen this in movies. You may have even tried applying cucumber slices to your eyes to relax and rejuvenate the region. Pieces of this antioxidant-rich vegetarian product on the rest of your face are said to potentially reduce excessive sweating. It's great for your skin!
Ice
Simply placing ice in a clean, soft cloth and rubbing it on your face can help reduce sweating. By naturally and physically cooling your face, you can help shut down sweat production. Essentially, you trick the nervous system into thinking you're not too hot and sweating isn't necessary.
Talc powder
Some people use talc powder to reduce facial hyperhidrosis. The powder helps absorb excess moisture and is said to make sweat glands less active. They say that even good quality loose powder will do the trick.
Although talc powder has been widely used for a variety of problems in the past, recently a number of questions have arisen as to whether it is safe to use. Some talcs may naturally contain asbestos, a carcinogen. Talc powder can easily get into the lungs, which can be harmful. Use this product with caution.
Find out how to make deodorant at home.
Diet to control sweating
Eating a healthy, balanced, unprocessed diet helps with many health conditions. Eating well provides the vitamins, minerals, and healthy calories your body needs to function at its peak.
Drink fresh buttermilk
Nutrients B12, calcium and potassium are very important for keeping your body functioning properly. Arable flour is said to aid digestion, which is closely linked to skin health. It is also said to help lower body temperature. Reducing body temperature is one of the key factors in stopping sweating.
Start drinking juice
Fresh juice is a great way to get your body all the nutrients it needs and stay hydrated. Taking in enough nutrients and fluids is important to maintaining healthy skin, and healthy skin can help eliminate excessive sweating.
Ensure a balanced sodium intake
Sodium helps control hydration levels in the body. Infusing too much or too little sodium can be harmful. Sweat contains sodium, so sweating is too little or not enough to affect the level of sodium present in the body.
Fighting facial hyperhidrosis with folk remedies
Pharmaceutical drugs recommended by the doctor can be combined with alternative medicine. They do not affect the cause of increased secretion, but effectively reduce the production of sweat. Additionally, you need to take B vitamins.
Lemon water is good for facial sweating. To do this, add 5-6 drops of lemon juice to a small amount of liquid, soak a cotton pad in the solution, and squeeze out a little. Wipe your face twice a day. This therapy at home is effective, but there is a significant drawback - lemon whitens the skin.
Sage for sweating is an effective traditional medicine. To prepare a decoction, add a tablespoon of the crushed component to 200 ml of boiling water and leave for several hours. Then filter. The face is wiped with cotton pads soaked in the broth, or compresses are made - the duration of these is 10-15 minutes.
Treatment of scalp hyperhidrosis:
- Healing collection for the bath. Mix equal quantities of rowan, lingonberry, birch, oak bark and yarrow leaves. Add 500 g of components to two liters of water and bring to a boil. Leave for 40 minutes. Pour the solution into a full bath. During the water procedure, you need to plunge your head into the liquid several times. It is not recommended to take a shower after the manipulation;
- Mint + sage + lavender. The product is prepared in the same way as in the previous recipe. Take a bath for 10-15 minutes, plunge your head several times. This collection has a calming effect, disinfects the skin, and reduces sweat in the face and head.
To get rid of excessive sweating on the forehead and temples, use a decoction based on St. John's wort. It is necessary to brew a concentrated decoction - add a tablespoon (with top) of the plant's inflorescences to a glass of boiling water. Leave for half an hour and filter. The compress is placed on problem areas and kept for 30 minutes. Frequency – 3 times a day. This folk remedy quickly relieves headaches, prevents swelling, and relieves excessive sweating.
Folk remedies are an excellent addition to drug therapy. But without eliminating the main cause of excessive sweating of the head and face, it will not be possible to get rid of the negative symptoms of hyperhidrosis.
Things to Avoid If You Suffer from Facial Hyperhidrosis
There are some habits and foods you can avoid to help curb facial sweating. While you may not notice the difference by simply cutting these things out, they may work well together with some of the other suggestions in this article.
Heavy Facial Products
Face creams, moisturizers and lotions can contribute to excessive sweating. If products don't absorb well into the skin or clog the pores, they can't allow the skin to breathe well. This can raise skin temperature and prevent normal sweating from work, leading to more sweating.
Excessive heat
This may seem like common sense, but if you suffer from excessive sweating, it may help to avoid high temperatures and direct sunlight. Keeping the skin temperature lower will cause the nervous system to trigger the sweat glands.
Spicy food
Spicy foods can cause heavy sweating. While this is probably not the cause of your excessive sweating, avoiding spicy foods may help keep your sweat glands more inactive.
Alcohol
Alcohol can also cause sweating. Facial washing and the increased body temperature that comes with alcohol consumption are likely to increase excessive sweating, so should be avoided.
Heavy, non-breathable clothing
Clothing that causes you to sweat and increases your body temperature can be detrimental to the treatment of hyperhidrosis. You should avoid wearing heavy fabrics that trap moisture, instead opting for lightweight, breathable clothing. Natural fabrics, not synthetics, are ideal.
Over the counter products to treat this condition
There are several products on the market that help prevent excessive sweating on the face. They vary greatly in price, so I suggest trying the cheapest products first if you're just starting to look for an over-the-counter solution to this problem.
Sweat wipes
Antiperspirant wipes can help control facial sweat for up to seven days per application. Although the product was not specifically created for the face, many customer reviews say that they use the wipes on their faces with great effectiveness.
Medical interventions
If you have tried home remedies and counter products for facial sweating to no avail, it may be time to see your doctor for medical interventions. There are several options, some more extreme than others.
Medications
Prescription strength antiperspirants may be a safe and effective treatment for this condition. This is likely one of the first things your doctor will do, as it is one of the safest medical interventions they can offer.
Botox injections
Some dermatologists use Botox injections to treat facial hyperhidrosis. This treatment helps prevent the nerves from becoming overwhelmed with signals that cause the sweat glands to produce sweat. The effect lasts for several months.
Anticholinergic drugs
When other treatments have not been effective, your doctor may prescribe an anticholinergic drug, which can stop sweat activity. There are some major side effects associated with this classification of drugs, so they are also only used as a last resort.
These medications are not FDA approved to treat excessive sweating. This means that they have not been sufficiently studied or proven to be effective for this use. This is definitely something you will want to consider before using them.
These drugs may cause problems with urination, blurred vision, and heart problems such as palpitations. Since these are potentially serious side effects, the benefit must outweigh the risk for it to be the ideal treatment plan for you. Discuss with your doctor if you are unsure.
Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy
ETS is a surgery used only in the most stubborn cases of hyperhidrosis and is rarely used in cases of facial sweating. In this surgery, a very small incision is made and the nerves that activate the sweat glands are destroyed.
This surgery is the last resort, especially for facial hyperhidrosis. Sweating in other areas is likely to increase, making the side effects highly undesirable.
Sweat removal
Also unusual in treating excessive facial sweating, sweat gland removal is used only in patients who have not responded to other treatments. For this reason, this operation is not very practical in the facial area.
Treatment of excessive sweating
What to do if facial hyperhidrosis develops:
It is necessary to determine the cause of craniofacial hyperhidrosis. Primary sweating of the face is a natural condition
There is no need to fight him. It is important to strictly observe all personal hygiene requirements. To blot sweat from your neck and face, you need to have paper, sanitary napkins or a cotton handkerchief with you. It is helpful to wash your face frequently with cool water to remove sweat from the surface of the skin. The room should be well ventilated. How to deal with secondary facial hyperhidrosis? The doctor must select methods that will help eliminate the cause of craniofacial hyperhidrosis or will somewhat reduce and smooth out the symptoms of excessive secretion of moisture from the sweat glands of the facial skin.
How to deal with secondary facial hyperhidrosis? The doctor must select methods that will help eliminate the cause of craniofacial hyperhidrosis or will somewhat reduce and smooth out the symptoms of excessive secretion of moisture by the sweat glands of the facial skin.
With secondary hyperhidrosis, it is necessary to treat the disease that causes increased sweating. Deodorants do not help with excessive sweating on the face. They only temporarily block the unpleasant odor of sweat, mask it, as they contain flavorings: fruit extracts, herbs, menthol. Medical antiperspirants that block sweating help get rid of sweating. They are sold in pharmacies and are intended for application to specific areas of the body. Most often these drugs contain aluminum salts
You need to pay attention to the concentration of these substances in antiperspirants. It should be at least 15%. Such preparations do not need to be applied every day
Their action lasts for 4-5 days. Medical antiperspirants for the face are creams that contain glycopyrrolate. The product should be applied in the evening before bed to dry, clean skin. The substance enters the pores of the sweat glands and forms plugs there, which have the necessary effect. You can use laser correction of facial hyperhidrosis, iontophoresis. The doctor may prescribe hormonal medications. Typically, in the treatment of facial hyperhidrosis, a special technology for intradermal administration of botulinum neurotoxin is successfully used. The drug botulinum toxin prevents the release of acetylcholine by nerve endings. It blocks the transmission of excitation from the nerve fiber to the sweat gland. On days 3-5, sweating on the face will stop. There are many medications that contain this drug in microdoses. The most commonly used injections are Botox or Dysport. These preparations contain highly purified botulinum neurotoxins in combination with hemagglutinin. Once injected intradermally, this drug binds to the nerve endings of the sweat glands and blocks the release of acetylcholine. Sweat production on the face decreases and stops. The effect of these drugs begins on the second day after the procedure. The maximum effect lasts up to two years. After the first injection, the result is usually observed within 6-9 months. This procedure is completely safe and painless. It is performed within 30-40 minutes. Typically, such an injection is done in the spring once a year. It significantly improves a person’s quality of life and attitude. He stops constantly thinking about this problem. It stops smelling. This method has gained the greatest popularity all over the world.
If your face sweats a lot, this may be an alarming signal from the body that you need to listen to. This syndrome negatively affects a person’s public, personal, and social life.
Final Thoughts on How to Stop Facial Sweating
There are treatment options for facial sweating. First, consult a doctor to rule out causes. Then try some home remedies to see if they work for you. If you are giving some counterbalanced foods, the shot is not working, treatment may be an option for you.
With all the options out there, it's important not to lose hope. If you have any questions regarding treatment for this condition, please leave a comment and I will do my best to help you!