Why do I sweat so much? Help for Excessive Sweating

Understand the causes of excessive sweating and uncover effective ways to manage it.

What's in this article:

Read Time: 5 minutes

Why Do We Sweat?
What Is Excessive Sweating?
6 Causes of Excessive Sweating
Who Sweats More – Men or Women?
Facts Overview
How To Help Sweat Less
NIVEA Deodorants and Anti-Perspirants
Summary
FAQs

Why do I sweat so much?

Sweat is a natural bodily function that helps regulate body temperature and keep you cool. Produced by sweat glands located all over the body, sweat is mostly made up of water and salt. When your body temperature rises due to heat, exercise, or stress, your sweat glands release moisture onto your skin, which then evaporates to cool you down. While sweating is essential for maintaining your body's temperature, excessive sweating can be uncomfortable when it occurs more than necessary. Read on to learn what causes excessive sweating and how to manage it.

What is excessive sweating?

A “normal” amount of sweating is different for everyone, and sometimes our bodies sweat more than usual for completely normal reasons such as being overheated, nervous, or with rigorous exercise.

If you’re sweating more than normal without a clear cause, or if excessive sweating is having a negative impact on your life, you may have a condition known as hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is a condition where the body produces more sweat than is necessary for temperature regulation. While sweating is a natural mechanism to cool the body, individuals with hyperhidrosis experience overactive sweat production, which can occur even without typical triggers such as heat, exercise, or stress. Understanding the causes of excessive sweating is essential for identifying appropriate treatment options.

6 Causes of excessive sweating

Recognising your triggers is the first step in learning how to help prevent excessive sweating. Common causes of excessive sweating include:

Young woman using Nivea Fresh Natural deodorant

1. Primary Hyperhidrosis:

This type of excessive sweating is often hereditary, meaning if a relative has it, you might too. Other than genetics, there are usually no obvious causes, and it typically affects localised areas such as the hands, feet, armpits, and face.

2. Secondary Hyperhidrosis:

This type of excessive sweating is usually caused by underlying health conditions, hormonal fluctuations, or as a side effect from certain medications. Unlike primary hyperhidrosis, it often affects the entire body rather than specific areas. It can also occur during sleep in the form of night sweats. Be sure to contact your doctor if you only experience night sweats, as this could indicate a more serious underlying condition.

3. Environmental Factors:

High temperatures, humidity, and physical exercise can cause the body to sweat more than usual. Your body’s natural cooling process triggers you to sweat to maintain a balanced temperature.

4. Emotional Stress:

Anxiety, nervousness, or emotional triggers can result in increased sweating. This is often most noticeable in social or stressful situations.

5. Medical Conditions:

Conditions like hyperthyroidism and diabetes, or hormonal changes like menopause can cause excessive sweating. If you are concerned about excessive sweating, it's recommended to consult with a doctor to identify potential underlying causes and receive appropriate treatment.

6. Diet & Lifestyle:

Spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol can induce sweating.

Who sweats more – men or women?

You might have noticed that some people seem to sweat more than others—and yes, gender can play a part. On average, men do tend to sweat more than women, especially during exercise. This is primarily due to natural differences in body composition and hormones. Men typically have more muscle mass and higher testosterone levels, which can lead to a greater number and size of sweat glands. However, individual factors such as fitness level, temperature, and stress can also affect how much we sweat. Therefore, while general trends exist, sweating remains a highly individual experience.

Facts Overview

Excessive Sweating – Facts Overview

Causes of Excessive Sweating:
Sweating more than usual can be a normal reaction to hot weather, exercise, or feeling frightened. When sweating is excessive, particularly without a clear cause, it can be due to hyperhidrosis.

Preventions for Excessive Sweating:
Wear breathable fabrics, stay hydrated, manage stress, and avoid sweat-triggering foods like caffeine and spices.

How to stop sweating so much:
Antiperspirants can help control sweat and odour, but if you're sweating excessively and don't know what's causing it, you may require advice from a healthcare professional who can help you identify the cause and prescribe appropriate treatment.

How to sweat less

Sweating is a natural function of the body and can’t be prevented entirely. However, if you sweat a lot and it bothers you, here are some practical tips that might help you to reduce the amount you perspire. In the event of excessive sweating, it is important to consult a healthcare professional to check for any possible underlying health conditions that may be causing your symptoms. The effects of sweating are due to many factors and is a natural function of the body, so any solution should be regarded as temporary.

Young woman using Nivea Fresh Sensation deodorant

Use effective antiperspirants:

NIVEA antiperspirant deodorants are expertly formulated to offer reliable protection against sweat and body odor. Whether you prefer a quick-drying spray, ideal for on-the-go freshness and strong sweat control, or an invisible roll-on, which provides targeted, long-lasting protection—there's a format to suit every routine to help you feel fresh and confident throughout the day. If you don't want to block perspiration but want a product that specifically combats the odors caused, opt for a deodorant instead.

NIVEA Deodorants

Wear breathable fabrics

Opt for lightweight, moisture-wicking materials to help keep your skin dry. Fabrics like cotton and linen are breathable, natural choices. If your feet sweat excessively, look for moisture-wicking socks and consider wearing sandals when appropriate to help air out your feet.

Manage stress

Anxiety and stress can cause some people to sweat excessively. Finding ways to help calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety may help to reduce how much you sweat due to stress.

Your diet

Avoid consuming foods and drinks that trigger sweating, such as caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods. Making healthier dietary choices can significantly reduce excessive sweating.

Stay cool when you can

When possible, seek out a cool and comfortable environment, especially while you’re sleeping.

NIVEA Body Wash

Regular showers

While a shower routine won’t prevent sweating, maintaining a consistent hygiene routine helps wash away sweat, bacteria, and odour, leaving your skin feeling clean, fresh, and comfortable. Using a caring body wash, such as one with a delicate floral fragrance or a refreshing citrus scent, not only cleanses but also nourishes the skin.

NIVEA Deodorants and Anti-Perspirants

NIVEA Black & White Anti-Perspirants

If you tend to sweat a lot, NIVEA’s Black & White Anti-Perspirant range is designed with you in mind. Available in spray, stick, and roll-on formats and an assortment of fragrances, NIVEA Black & White Anti-Perspirants provide 48 hours of invisible odor and sweat protection for spray and 72 hours for roll-ons. Dermatologically tested, these anti-perspirants deliver x5 protection against odor, sweat, irritation, yellow stains, and white marks on clothes thanks to NIVEA’s invisible formula.

Caution: Discontinue if rash or irritation occurs. Do not apply on irritated or damaged skin.

NIVEA Black & White Antiperspirants

72-hour odor control with NIVEA Fresh Sensation Deodorant

In addition to embarrassing wetness, excessive sweating can also cause body odor. NIVEA Fresh Sensation Deodorant Roll-On offers 72-hour anti-perspirant protection with a unique NIVEA ¥INFINIFRESH anti-bacterial formula* for lasting freshness. With a fresh floral and berry scent, this anti-perspirant deodorant for women offers reliable protection and is skin compatibility dermatologically tested.

*odor-causing bacteria

Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Roll-On

NIVEA MEN Black & White Roll-On Anti-Perspirant

NIVEA MEN Black & White Invisible Roll-On Anti-Perspirants provide 72 hours of protection against sweat and odors in a formula that’s been dermatologically tested for skin compatibility. The patented anti-stain formula provides white mark protection on black clothing & anti-yellow staining on white clothing. Available in original scent and fresh scent, this men’s anti-perspirant offers x5 protection against sweat, odor, stains, residues, and irritation* (*non-irritating formula).

Black & White Roll-On Anti-Perspirant

Summary

Sweating is a natural bodily function that can cause self-consciousness when it feels like you’re sweating too much, but it doesn’t have to control your life. By understanding its causes and learning how to sweat less with practical advice and reliable products such as the NIVEA deodorants, you can regain your confidence and feel fresh all day long. Remember that anti-perspirants are a temporary solution. Seek medical advice in the event of unexplained excessive sweating to identify the underlying causes and determine the appropriate treatment.

FAQs

What type of products are best for controlling sweat?

Anti-perspirants are the products of choice for combating perspiration. At NIVEA, antiperspirants like NIVEA Fresh Sensation Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Roll-On combine sweat control with a fresh fragrance.

How can I stop sweating so much at night?

Avoiding caffeine and alcohol and using breathable fabric can help mitigate excessive sweating, so be sure to avoid these foods close to bedtime and look for bedsheets made from natura, breathable fabrics. Making your sleeping environment cooler can also help. It is also advisable to consult a doctor in the event of unexplained night sweats, or if the only time you’re excessively sweating is at night.

Can anxiety cause sweating?

Yes, anxiety can cause increased sweating. It is natural to sweat when feeling nervous or frightened, but if you find that your sweating is severe, you may wish to look into ways to help reduce your anxiety or stress.

Can shaving armpits help reduce sweating?

Shaving armpits does not reduce sweating but can help minimize armpit odor by preventing bacteria from lingering on hair. It also allows deodorants and anti-perspirants to be applied more directly to the skin.