Excessive Sweating on the Face and Head
Facial excessive sweating is usually called facial hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis on the face is a particularly difficult condition because of the immediate social implications it holds for the excessive sweating sufferer and also because facial hyperhidrosis is particularly difficult to hide.
Excessive sweating from hyperhidrosis usually leads to body odor, or facial odor rather, which in turn also adds to the social ills that sweating problems sometimes cause. Facial hyperhidrosis may even lead to excessive sweating in the scalp area, even if there weren’t any particular stress or physical exertion on the body. This of course, often times leads to nervousness, paranoa and mental irritation. Facial hyperhidrosis occurs in men and women and is more often passed down genetically through either the mother or father.
Facial hyperhidrosis, like other forms of hyperhidrosis, is a sweating disorder that is related to the malfunctioning of the sympathetic nervous system. There generally is no definite cause or specific reason for the excessive sweating in patients, as scientifically or medically, the specific cause is not yet known. However, the majority of factors point towards the sympathetic nervous system and is generally, the cause is most likely rooted in somewhere there, in that mass of nerves.
First we’ll go through the nonsurgical treatments for facial hyperhidrosis. These excessive sweating treatments are often times easy to use and they treat hyperhidrosis sometimes just as effectively as other methods in, of course, less severe cases. These alternative treatments for facial sweating include:
Antiperspirants with strong base are also used by a lot of people. These include over the counter products like MegaDry, Whit Wetless lotion, Drysol, Clear Gel, Clearasil etc. Using gel based AICI has also helped in curing facial hyperhidrosis. Prescription drugs like Xanax, Propanolol SR and Probanthine are also medicated by some. But it is strictly advised to use these drugs only with a prescription from a physician. Some dermatologists recommend use of Botox injections, however they’re very costly and have their own set of side effects. Botox as a cure is only temporary and lasts up to 8 months.
Hyperhidrosis and The Nervous System
Too muchy perspiration on the face is a sweating condition which somehow is related to an over active sympathetic nervous system which controls sweating in the body. This system consists of the nerves and neural fibers that we have no control over. These sweat controlling nerves and fibers go to work when there are certain emotional and psychological situations or conditions, such as stress, fight or flight. These uncontrollable neural fibers are ofthen become active at the time we come in contact with other people at public meetings and gathering. Public speaking engagements, test taking situations and other high stress conditions may somehow trigger excessive sweating through these nerves.
One surgical remedy for this sweating condition is an hyperhidrosis operation known as ETS or Endoscopic Transthoracic Sympathicotomy, which is a rather extreme procedure to reduce excessive sweating. This extreme procedure is done using anesthesia and can restrict the hyper activity of this autonomic nervous system. Most of the hyperhidrosis sufferers who have gone through ETS say that it mostly has been a safe process but complications and problems have occurred. Often times the patient will notice more excessive sweating in other parts of the body, a sort of ‘karma’ effect. The main target of this hyperhidrosis surgical procedure is palm sweating but it has also cut down the facial sweating somewhat effectively.
In ETS, the reduction of perspiration can be cut by quite a bit through the cutting of the nerves that lead to the sweat glands, that of course produce the excessive sweating. Cutting these nerves from this stimulus, thereby leaving the sweating glands without their impulses, hyperhydrosis can sometimes be cured. However, ETS is more effective in regards to axillary or armpit hyperhidrosis. Surgery to stop sweating sounds is as bad as it sounds. It is the ‘nuclear’ option for excessive sweating and when it comes to facial hyperhidrosis the idea of surgery is always dangerous.
If you have facial hyperhidrosis, the first thing one should do is to discuss it with a physician and/or a dermatologist. They will be able to tell you all about the latest techniques, technologies and treatments in coping and curing the excessive facial sweating.
Before getting any treatments or surgeries performed however, the patient should always study all the knowledge on his or her own, from recent articles to online forums and blogs relating to that hyperhidrosis treatment or surgery. Only from one’s own research and with advice from others, including doctors and specialists, can one find out about all the possible side effects associated with whatever excessive sweating treatment or procedure may be right for the sweating condition. Excessive sweating from hyperhidrosis sometimes can cause much embarrassment for many but there’s no need to rush headlong into anything without knowing more about it, no matter how it’s advertised.
There should always be hope when it comes to treating facial hyperhidrosis. It is important that the excessive sweating sufferer try to be patient. Generally, it is also important to be willing to try many different methods, both natural and clinicial. Everyone’s sweating is different, so what may work for others might not work in this particular situation. Hyperhidrosis isn’t an end to anything.
Hello. I am a sufferer of facial hyperhidrosis. It has progressively gotten worse over the past year. It has gotten to the point where I am almost always indoors (I live in the desert, which doesn’t help) with air conditioning on full blast. I cannot do anything social like bowling, dancing, or just plain “going out” without sweating excessively in the face. Which has now lead to me not wanting to go out at all.
I feel the worse for my husband for all that I put him through. I feel that I restrict him of doing things because of my condition.
I believe it is especially hard being a female with this condition. The second I am done applying my make-up and straightening my hair….the sweating begings….the make-up melts off…..and my hair gets all wet and begins to frizz.
I have not worked in about 3months becuase of my condition. I am so terribely sick of dealing with this everyday. It is a constant struggle, and I need to know how to fix it.
If anybody has any adivice at all or any ideas on treatments. please get back to me. I need all the help i can get. thank you all.
Hi Dalia. I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I have had this problem for as long as I can remember but it has steadily increased over the past few years. I literally avoid any type of social situation knowing that the stress will lead to accessive sweating, which leads to more stress until I’m a mess. After reading the information on this website, I’m convinced that I just need to begin speaking with a physician to find the right solution for me. Hopefully, I’ll be able to enjoy a nice summer deck party in the near future.
Hi Dalia,
I see that it’s been almost a year since you wrote. I’m wondering if you’ve found any solution or things have improved since then?
I have the exact same problem and it feels like my life’s curse! It somehow manages to get worse every year…and not only is it totally humiliating, but I feel like there’s a blast furnace going on inside of me. I’m in my 40’s, and I know it’s not menopause because it’s been going on for 10 years and my doctors says I’m not in menopause yet. However, I have found that taking a menopause nutritional supplement has helped a little bit. I’ve taken extra-strength Estroven and also tried one called TrueNature Menopause Complex.
I also know that if I cut out carbs it helps a little also…I just can’t live that way on an ongoing basis. Nothing makes it stop altogether and my face and hair end up dripping wet sometimes. I even try to buy tops now that won’t show the wetness around the neckline. A perm helps hide my wet hair a little bit sometimes and I waterproof mascara is a MUST!! I tried the facial antipersperant sheets on my face, but they
caused irritation and made things worse.
I am overweight and type-A which contribue, but in my case I definately think it has a genetic component as well, because my brother and dad have it too. The other females in my family do not. But I agree with you. It’s so much worse to be female and have it!!!!! People don’t think twice when they see my brother mopping his forehead. Do you or anyone else who’s read this have any idea what else may help? I’m desperate!!!
Thanks.
Hello,
My name is Robert. I have suffered from facial and scalp sweating since puberty. Thats when it happened. I can be doing the most medial work, and bang, next thing it’s all raining down my face and making me feel uncomfortable. I take tae kwon do, and if you have ever been involved in the sport, you know how physical it can be. Most of my fellow practitioners accept my constantly sweat soaked dok.(uniform). I freely tell everyone what it is from, and most accept it. Some will not spar with me because they might get my sweat on their feet. (if they get a shot in) At work, this is a different story. I know how alienated I feel when I am the only one sweating, and constantly going to the bathroom to grab more paper towels to stick under my already sweat soaked hat. A hat is a must for me at work. It does help for a bit, but I have several hats that I switch up during the day. I sweat so much from my scalp, that I drink about a gallon of liquids a day to keep from dehydrating. ( not including what I drink at Tae). I used to be extremely shy and reclusive, but I realized that I have one life and I am not going to waste it worrying about what other people think of me. I have to live my life how I want. I go canoeing, hiking, climbing, and love baseball and soccer. And Guess what….. I’m soaking wet after 1/2 hour doing any of these things. I just don’t care anymore. If someone has a problem with it, TOO BAD. Don’t let what other people think of you contol your actions. It will make it worse. Do something to boost your self esteem. This will make it more acceptable to yourself when you begin to sweat. Please, don’t let this rule you. I know how it feels to be stuck in your house, you know it’s gonna happen, so just let it happen. Surgical procedures are available, but too risky. PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS RULE YOUR LIFE. Give 110% at everything you do. One again I can’t write it as loud as my mind screams it. DON’T LET FEAR OF WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK STOP YOU FROM DOING WHAT YOU WANT!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Robert,
I have a question for you. Did you notice this condition leading to hair loss?
it’s been 10 years for me. if i’m slightly nervous, i become extremely nervous as the inferno ignites. mostly facial, but complete body sweating. i lived in new orleans for a long time, and became extremely self conscious. serving food, bartending all in one of the most humid locations possible. i’m now in oregon. i’m a yoga teacher, well almost. i teach my first class in three days. i’m terrified. i took clonodine to prepare for my teaching test and thought everything went great until the compensation sweating made it look like i’d peed my pants. so at 32 years of age, i will have to wear adult diapers when i teach my first yoga class. i won’t live in fear of what others think but who wants to take a yoga class from someone that appears to be an incontinent drug addict?
the clonodine did seem to work for the facial sweating, (i always wore a skirt to work because of compensation sweat) unfortunately my boss was a bully, the bar where i worked was small and i worked in the corner, where she would corner me on a daily basis and make me feel bad about myself. so the symptoms came back. i tried explaining this condition to her, and got the same reaction i get from everyone “well, everybody sweats” and they stare at you like it’s all psycho somatic and you live to create your own problems.
i’m passionate about yoga for obvious reasons, hoping to get over this, either ridding myself of symptoms or calming myself enough to cope.
for now, a couple things definately help with this condition.
don’t smoke, or drink caffeine
don’t consume refined sugar (coke, candy, alcohol)
any replies i would appreciate. i’ve been alone with this for 10 years, it’s a relief to know i’m not the only person with this condition. and i guess i’m lucky to have it considering it’s not life threatening, just quality of life threatening.
I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this but if you have excessive sweating it is good idea to get your thyroid checked out. Can be a sign of hyperthyroidism. And could explain Joe C’s question about hair loss.
I have slight problems with my thyroid, but I definitely had the sweating for a good 10 - 15 years before that, and it is getting worse. I’m going to see my doctor about it, now I am armed with some more information about medication etc. And I would agree with Robert about trying not to let it stop you living your life.
I’m relieved to know I’m not the only one either!!!
Clonidine does help, at least to reduce the sweating a little. If I just walk across a room, my whole head gets wet,sweat drips in my eyes and my hairdo is ruined. I’ve had thyroid checked and glucose level checked, as hypoglycemia can also cause the sweating, but its all fine. The medical diagnosis was that my vasomotor system is imbalanced. Somehow knowing what to blame doesn’t help, lol. I know its genetic as my older sister has it worse than I do. I drink half-caff coffee and no alcohol, cut way back on sweets and do deep breathing exercises. I tried different antidepressants and found some actually made the sweating worse, and I couldn’t tolerate the side effects. Clonidine is the only thing tolerable and minimally effective. I keep a fan at my desk and when I start feeling irritable, do the deep breathing. I’m not sure it gets better with age, as my husband is over 60 and still sweats plenty. Seems to me like there should be more research done on controlling the hypothalamus.