Head sweating in women, men and children: causes, what to do?

Sweating is a natural function of the human body. A person sweats especially often when in a hot or stuffy space, or when actively engaged in sports. In such situations, sweat acts as a thermoregulator and detoxifier. However, there are cases when the head sweats for no apparent reason - for example, during sleep. So why does the head sweat and what to do if it really becomes a problem?

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Why does my head sweat?

If the head sweats without clear reasons, then most often the cause is vegetative disorders. The vegetative apparatus is fully responsible for the body's reaction to external irritants. If there are failures in the system, then the sweat glands begin to work in an enhanced mode, which leads to increased sweat secretion - especially in the head area.

Another common cause is considered to be a disordered thyroid function - namely, hyperfunction. This condition is accompanied by an acceleration of metabolic processes, which entails increased sweating. It often happens that a person has several reasons for excessive sweating of the head.

If your head sweats, it is not always a pathology - often it is just a natural reaction of the body to overload or high temperature. Droplets of sweat cool the scalp. Sweating also increases with various emotions: embarrassment, fear, anger. However, excessive sweating, without clear reasons, is already a reason to see a doctor and undergo diagnostics.

The mechanism of sweating can be disrupted: if the head sweats, then we speak of the development of hyperhidrosis. Such pathology can be primary and secondary.

Primary excessive sweating has no connection with other diseases and is not a sign of any other pathology. The primary form is always local - that is, only the head sweats, or only the palms, etc. Most often, this form is a consequence of failures in the autonomic nervous system, or is genetic.

Secondary excessive sweating always appears under the influence of another disease or condition. For example, the secondary form can be a sign of some disease, or a side effect of taking medications. The head often sweats against the background of taking antibiotics, antidepressants, hormonal drugs.

• Cardiovascular diseases can lead to regular sweating of the face and head. This is indeed a reason to urgently contact a cardiologist, because it is possible that a heart attack or stroke will develop soon. You should be especially wary if dizziness, chest pain, and general weakness are observed against the background of sweating of the head.
• Diseases of the nervous system often cause a failure of adequate regulation of the functionality of sweat glands. For example, the head often sweats at the initial stages of Parkinson's disease, acromegaly, cancerous tumors, etc. Localized sweating of the head can also occur with damage to the spinal nerves.

When your head sweats a lot, it is necessary to analyze the involvement of certain risk factors in the problem.

Head sweating in adults: reasons

• Genetic features (this problem is the most difficult to eliminate).
• Sudden changes in blood pressure - for example, in hypertension, when a person's blood pressure increases during the day, and at night the internal processes slow down and the pressure drops sharply. This condition often leads to a sweaty head, a wet pillow, headaches and restless sleep.
• Direct dysfunction of the glands that secrete sweat is a consequence of disturbed metabolic processes. This situation is not uncommon in obesity, diabetes, hyperthyroidism. Patients often complain: "I sweat and feel dizzy, the back of my head and neck itch, insomnia has appeared." If you have such symptoms, you should immediately contact an endocrinologist.
• Incorrectly chosen hats are a common cause of excessive sweating on the head, both in winter and in other seasons. Hats made of dense synthetic materials disrupt blood circulation, prevent the skin from "breathing", which leads to a malfunction of the sweat glands. "My head hurts and I sweat" is a phrase that can often be heard from owners of tight fur hats: such products are intended exclusively for severe frosts, and should never fit tightly to the head. Access of oxygen to the skin is simply necessary, otherwise all metabolic processes are disrupted. Impaired sweating often occurs in the summer, especially if a person wears a cap made of the same synthetic material, blocking the access of air. You should choose caps with special holes or mesh inserts - such hats allow the head to sweat less.
• Pregnancy, menopause – during these periods women are very prone to increased sweating, including in the head area. This is explained by significant changes in hormone levels in the body. Such sweating is always temporary and gradually disappears as the hormonal background stabilizes.
• An overly sensitive nervous system very often leads to excessive sweating. Violent expression of emotions, strong or frequent stress, and as a result the head and back sweat, fingers tremble, dizziness may occur. Such symptoms often occur against the background of panic attacks, neuroses, phobias.
• If your head sweats in the morning, you need to exclude possible causes such as oncology, diabetes, allergic processes, and an unhealthy lifestyle. For example, in the morning the problem often bothers people prone to alcoholism or drug addiction.

The child's head sweats: reasons

Of course, children's heads sweat from time to time, too - and there are no fewer reasons for this than in adults. Everything depends on age, general health, and many other factors - for example, a child may simply be hot. Many families still believe that a baby should be dressed as warmly as possible at any time of year, and that airing the room is not necessary. This is fundamentally wrong.

But the greatest concern for parents is when the baby's head sweats, because it is during this period that such a complex disease as rickets can develop: it is not surprising that most mothers and fathers are afraid for their child. Let's clarify: how exactly does the head sweat with rickets, and is it worth worrying prematurely.

The first signs of the disease usually appear already in the 2-3 month - this is excessive anxiety of the baby in sleep, twitching, capriciousness, timidity. Then sweating occurs: the head sweats during feeding, as well as during sleep. The sweat is special - it is called "sour", as it tends to irritate the baby's skin. This leads to the baby starting to rub his head intensively on the bed - this is how another symptom appears - hair loss on the back of the head. Additional symptoms are a sour smell of urine and the appearance of diaper rash. A consultation with a pediatrician is especially necessary during this period: the doctor will examine the baby, assess the condition of the fontanelles, prescribe tests, and only then make a diagnosis.

Fortunately, rickets is far from the most common reason for head sweating in childhood. Sweating is also observed for other reasons:

• a large amount of clothing, synthetic clothing;
• stuffiness or high humidity in the room;
• allergic processes;
• colds, viral infections.

It is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner and take appropriate measures.

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Head sweating in men: reasons

• Lack of hygiene during nighttime rest (hot, unventilated room, synthetic underwear).
• Drinking alcohol, taking drugs, eating unhealthy foods with lots of fatty and spicy foods, eating a large meal before bed.
• Metabolic disorders, excess weight.
• Colds, pneumonia, AIDS, tuberculosis.
• Use of various medications.
• Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a condition in which a person snores loudly throughout the night with periodic pauses in breathing. The pathogenesis of this syndrome is that the oxygen deficiency created by improper breathing leads to the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream, which in turn causes stress and activation of the sweat secretion system.
• Tendency to high blood pressure.

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A woman's head sweats: reasons

Experts point out a number of basic factors that play a role in the process of increased sweating in the head area in women.

• Malfunction of the endocrine glands (thyroiditis, goiter, hyperthyroidism, excess iodine, pituitary tumors).
• Nervous system disorders resulting from stress, phobias, prolonged experiences, chronic psychological discomfort, etc.
• Sharp fluctuations in hormonal levels (pregnancy, lactation period, menopause, menstruation period).
• High blood pressure (mainly in cardiovascular pathologies).
• Excess body weight, metabolic disorders, physical inactivity.
• Inadequate temperature conditions in the room (heat, high humidity, lack of ventilation, etc.).
• Individual characteristics of the body (genetic reasons).

Risk factors

• Tendency to localized increased sweating.
• Excess body weight.
• Oncological diseases.
• Tendency to high blood pressure, hypertension.
• Certain periods in life: menopause, pregnancy.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• A state of chronic stress, neuroses, mental disorders.
• Genetic features.
• Chronic inflammatory pathologies.
• Tendency to allergies.
• Alcohol abuse, drug addiction, nutritional errors.
• History of head trauma.
• Incorrectly selected clothing, bedding, lack of adequate ventilation in the room.

If your head sweats during sleep, there may be several reasons:

• sleep hygiene rules are not followed (if your head sweats when you fall asleep, the cause may be a stuffy, unventilated room, synthetic underwear, etc.);
• there are diseases such as acute respiratory infections, flu, pneumonia or bronchitis, tuberculosis, AIDS;
• the person is taking any medications that have a side effect such as increased sweating;
• the person has a tendency to snore (if the head sweats, the pillow is wet, then this may be an indirect sign of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, in which there is an oxygen deficiency with the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream - this, in turn, leads to increased secretion of sweat).

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Pathogenesis

Sweating disorders can be symmetrical or unilateral, localized or widespread. It happens that some patients sweat only on their head, while others sweat on their head, face, and palms.

The primary form of the disease is caused by increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Sweat glands are the boundary links of the sympathetic chain. Sweat production is regulated by unmyelinated postganglionic cholinergic nerves. Activation of efferent cholinergic nerves occurs under the influence of anticholinergics. The content of intercellular calcium in secretory cellular structures, which depends on the presence of the hormone aldosterone, becomes a direct stimulator of sweating. If the body is in a state of stress, the amount of hormone in the bloodstream increases - this is the reason why many patients suffering from hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system have problems with sweating.

Increased sweating after eating also depends on the functional characteristics of the sympathetic nervous system. The fact is that the sympathetic directions and salivary nuclei have common neuronal connections in the brain stem.

The severity of sweating also depends on the inheritance factor. It has been found that sweating characteristics can be inherited autosomal dominantly, being traced only in individual descendants.

As a rule, in the primary form, the head sweats only during wakefulness, and during the night's rest the condition normalizes.

The secondary form can be provoked by:

• hereditary dermatosis, which is detected mainly in childhood in the presence of general physical weakness (as a rule, by puberty the pathology goes away on its own);
• Lucy Frey syndrome, in which sweating occurs during meals, physical exertion or stress;
• taking antiemetic drugs, acetylsalicylic acid, painkillers, insulin, etc.

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Statistics

According to the latest statistics, approximately 30% of the adult population of the planet complains of excessive sweating of the head. The head sweats more often in men than in women, and mainly at night.

There are no statistics on head sweating in children.

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Symptoms

Pathological sweating of the head is always accompanied by pronounced clinical symptoms, with an abundance of additional, direct and indirect signs. If the head sweats, then a person quite often (or constantly) feels increased moisture in the hair: beads of sweat can collect in perspiration, flow from the forehead and temples to the eyes, neck.

Frequent accumulation of sweat secretions in the same place leads to active reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms, therefore, dermatitis, seborrhea, and eczema are not uncommon in such patients.

The head and neck sweat not only during physical activity, when worried or in stressful situations - in some cases, the true cause cannot be immediately determined. Only a thorough diagnosis can answer the question about the causes of excessive sweating.

Many people who suffer from increased sweating notice symptoms such as puffiness of the face, the appearance of "bags" around the eyes. Such signs are especially noticeable if sweating bothers mainly at night, or is caused by poor nutrition or bad habits.

A long-term problem of excessive sweating on the head can cause constant dry mouth, trembling in the limbs, and systematic headaches.

In some patients, sweating leads to the formation of redness and irritation on the forehead and face.

If sweat is secreted mainly in stressful situations, then a person may withdraw into themselves and avoid society: such patients develop a kind of complex, as they are afraid that sweating will increase at the most inopportune moment.

During physical exertion, men sweat a lot on their heads: sweating becomes so intense that the liquid literally flows down, getting into the eyes and causing them to become red. This picture can be seen especially often in the summer. People who suffer from it develop conjunctivitis, their vision deteriorates, and their eyes look red and tired.

If you have a cough and your head is sweating at the same time, you may suspect both an acute respiratory disease and tuberculosis. To clarify the diagnosis, you should seek help from a doctor - for example, an infectious disease specialist or pulmonologist. In addition to coughing and sweating, other additional symptoms will most likely be detected.

It happens that the head sweats even after an illness: this condition is accompanied by general weakness, a decrease in blood pressure and body temperature, dizziness. Often, such symptoms are associated with the end of the fever period and the gradual restoration of the body's thermoregulation system. There is no need to be afraid of this, but a doctor's consultation will never be unnecessary.

When the head sweats due to a cold, flu, acute respiratory viral infection, then the symptoms of the underlying disease are always present. This may be a change in temperature (both an increase and a decrease), a change in blood pressure, respiratory dysfunction, cough, pain and sore throat, runny nose, etc. As a rule, such sweating completely disappears after the patient's final recovery.

If sweating is associated with menopause in women, then additional symptoms may include so-called “hot flashes”, headaches, and sleep disturbances.

Diagnostics

To determine the specific cause of sweating of the head, the patient will have to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis. The following tests are traditional:

• general blood test, blood biochemistry;
• blood test for hormonal levels (indicators of sex hormones and thyroid hormones are taken into account);
• determination of blood sugar levels.

Instrumental diagnostics is often limited to chest X-ray, ultrasound of abdominal organs, thyroid gland. Additionally, consultation with specialized specialists is required - for example, a neurologist, cardiologist, oncologist, endocrinologist, infectious disease specialist.

In certain cases, the doctor may insist on genetic analysis in order to exclude or confirm a hereditary factor in the development of pathology.

Special tests for assessing the degree of sweating are:

• gravimetric test, performed to determine the quality and quantity of sweat secretion;
• iodine-starch test (the so-called Minor test, which helps to assess the area of increased sweating);
• chromatographic test, which is used in the diagnosis of the primary form of increased sweating.

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Differential diagnostics

Differential diagnostics must be carried out with vitamin deficiencies, tuberculosis, syphilis, thyroid diseases, systemic infectious pathologies, mental pathologies, and oncology.

Treatment

Treatment cannot be represented by any one scheme: after all, there are many reasons why the head sweats. Therefore, the main impact should be aimed at eliminating the initial factor causing increased sweating.

For example, in case of excessive excitability of the nervous system, sedatives are prescribed. These can be well-known tinctures of valerian root or motherwort, or more complex medications such as Sedistress, Persen, Antistress, Novo-Passit. It is allowed to take homeopathic sedatives Notta, Tenoten, Valeriana-heel. During the period of treatment with the listed drugs, you cannot drink drinks with caffeine, as well as dark chocolate and alcohol.

If the head sweats as a result of thyroid dysfunction, then treatment is prescribed by an endocrinologist. Often, treatment measures for such pathologies consist of normalizing metabolic processes and establishing proper nutrition. Drugs for correcting the thyroid gland are prescribed based on the results of hormone tests and ultrasound indicators.

An important role in the treatment of increased sweating in the head area is played by the fight against chronic inflammatory diseases. In such a situation, the doctor prescribes drugs depending on the localization of the pathology and the type of pathogen. In addition, immunostimulants and vitamins are used.

Head sweating during menopause requires the prescription of hormone replacement drugs or hormone balance correcting drugs. The latter include medications such as Klimaktoplan, Klimadinon, Klimaksan, etc.

If the head sweats due to individual characteristics of the body, then Botox injections are most often the salvation. Botox, getting into the tissue, partially blocks the function of the sweat glands, which leads to a noticeable decrease in sweating. This treatment has its positive and negative sides. The obvious "minuses" are that such a procedure is expensive, and it will have to be repeated several times.

If your head sweats, your doctor may recommend the following medications:

	Method of administration and dosage	Side effects	Special instructions
Sedistress	Take 1-2 tablets daily before meals.	Drowsiness, allergic reactions, heart rhythm disturbances, digestive discomfort.	Take with caution if you are prone to low blood pressure.
Immunoplus	Take 2-3 tablets daily, regardless of food intake.	Digestive disorders, sleep disturbances, increased excitability.	It is not advisable to take the drug for more than 6-8 weeks in a row.
Oxybutynin	Take 5 mg three times a day.	Dyspepsia, headaches, dizziness, heart rhythm disturbances, depression.	Oxybutynin is a urological drug, but it is widely used to eliminate excessive sweating, especially if the head sweats.
Glycopyrrolate	Take one capsule on an empty stomach before breakfast. The course of treatment is one month, after which you should take a break for 1 week. It is allowed to add the drug to the iontophoresis solution.	Heart rhythm disturbances, general weakness, drowsiness, nervousness.	If the head sweats heavily, the dose can be increased to 2 tablets per day, in one dose. It should be taken into account that sweating is normalized only for the duration of taking the drug. Later, the problem returns.
Klimaktoplan	Taken for sweating of the head associated with the climacteric period in women - 1-2 tablets three times a day, half an hour before or half an hour after meals. Duration of treatment - at least three months.	Menstrual and nosebleeds.	Symptoms may worsen during the first days of taking the drug.

Vitamins

Conservative therapy is often combined with vitamin therapy. In this case, the doctor can prescribe both individual vitamins and vitamin complex preparations. In some cases, vitamin complexes may be preferable, since they simultaneously affect various mechanisms regulating the normal function of sweat secretion.

• Aevit - consists of active vitamins A and E, which complement each other and improve processes in the skin.
• Vitrum Beauty – in addition to essential vitamins, also has a rich antioxidant composition.
• Complivit Radiance – contains 11 vitamins, 8 minerals, lipoic acid and green tea leaf extract.
• Perfectil – contains vitamins and other essential substances: zinc, copper, selenium, biotin, etc.
• Supradin is distinguished by its increased content of not only vitamins, but also biotin, coenzyme, fatty acids, copper and zinc.

If necessary, the doctor may prescribe ergocalciferol or aquadetrim if there is a suspicion of vitamin D deficiency in the body.

Physiotherapy treatment

Physiotherapy involves the use of several methods that are especially relevant if the head sweats: this is the galvanization method (electrophoresis) and microcurrent therapy. The use of such procedures allows not only to correct the work of the sweat-excreting system, but also to strengthen the hair, improve blood flow in the scalp, and stimulate hair growth.

Electrophoresis is the introduction of substances necessary for the regulation of sweating directly into the tissues. The course of therapy consists of 10-15 sessions, with a frequency of once every three days or every other day.

The essence of microcurrent therapy is to stimulate blood circulation and promote cellular renewal processes. The course includes 10 procedures, one per week.

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Folk remedies

If your head sweats, but it is not associated with any serious pathologies, you can try to solve the problem with the help of traditional medicine - such remedies are often the simplest and most accessible. First of all, you need to pay attention to two factors - hygiene and nutritional features.

Is it worth talking again about the need to take a shower every day? If there are problems - for example, the head sweats, then a contrast shower is needed, with alternating temperatures. Such an effect regulates the sweating function. Therefore, if you practice a contrast shower in the morning, it will help to reduce daytime sweating several times. After the shower, problem areas of the skin can be wiped with boric alcohol.

Changes in diet will help to "calm down" excessive sweating. For example, you need to limit the intake of spicy, salty and hot food. It is optimal if you stick to a predominantly plant-based diet, including healthy proteins and fats: nuts, beans, flaxseed and olive oil, sprouted wheat grains.

Some experts suggest washing your hair with tar or regular laundry soap to eliminate sweating. White cosmetic clay can also be used as a detergent - it perfectly dries the skin and narrows the pores, regulating the sweat secretion function.

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Herbal treatment

Among the huge variety of herbs, you can find those that help if your head sweats. At the same time, "herbal" treatment in most cases is not accompanied by side effects and is considered absolutely accessible.

• Herbal rinses: prepare a "thick" infusion from such plant components as birch leaves, lingonberry leaves, oak bark, rowan leaves, yarrow. Rinse your head with the resulting infusion after washing: do not rinse the product, just blot your head with a clean towel.
• Pouring an infusion of wormwood and sage (100 g of raw materials per 5 liters of water, leave to infuse for at least half an hour).
• Lotions of oak bark with St. John's wort are made three times a day. To prepare an infusion for lotions, 1 tbsp. of oak bark and the same amount of St. John's wort are poured with 500 ml of boiling water and infused in a thermos for 2 hours. After that, filter and use. The resulting remedy makes the head sweat less, and in addition, the hair is strengthened and its structure is improved.

If not only your head but also your face sweats, you can prepare a special tonic for wiping the skin. The tonic consists of one part lemon juice, one part vodka and two parts glycerin. The product is used 2-3 times a day, daily.

Homeopathy

Today, in many countries of the world, homeopathic remedies are successfully used specifically for the treatment of excessive sweating. If the head sweats, and there is no urgent need for surgery, then homeopathy can be the best solution to the problem. The fact is that the effect of such drugs is always aimed at eliminating the root cause - that is, the main "culprit" of sweating. Therefore, in the future, after stabilization of the underlying condition, the function of sweat secretion normalizes on its own.

Most medical professionals are adequate about the use of such drugs, but insist: the prescription should be made by a specially trained homeopathic doctor. Despite the fact that homeopathic remedies are practically free of side effects, self-medication is not welcomed here either. What drugs do doctors recommend using if your head sweats:

• Silicia 6-12-30 – for severe night sweating of the head;
• Conium 3-6-12 – when the head sweats both at night and during the day;
• Natrum muriaticum 3-30 – for heavy sweating on the head, face, and armpits;
• Pulsatilla 3-6 – for profuse sweating throughout the body, including the head.

In addition, a positive effect has been noted from the action of such drugs as Calcarea carbonica 30, Mercurius solubilis 6-30, Hepar sulfur 6-12.

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Surgical treatment

If your head sweats, then the surgical treatment method involves one of two operations (provided that conservative treatment has not brought results):

• thoracoscopic sympathectomy surgery;
• endoscopic sympathectomy surgery.

The listed interventions represent different methods of influencing the area of the sympathetic nerve trunk and its nodes, which provide innervation of the entire body – and, in particular, the sweat glands.

Endoscopic sympathectomy surgery results in complete and final recovery. The essence of the intervention is to clamp the sympathetic ganglion: this is possible due to the use of an endoxop. The difference between this method and thoracoscopic intervention is the different version of access to the nerve fibers. During thoracoscopy, the doctor makes a skin incision, so this option is more traumatic and sometimes causes complications.

The main remote complication after surgery is the appearance of increased sweating in other areas of the body - for example, in the back or abdomen. This consequence bothers about 2% of operated patients. The problem is solved by performing a second operation.

Consequences and complications

When the head sweats, it usually creates a certain psychological discomfort for the patient, which is the only unpleasant consequence of this condition. As a result, a person can become uncommunicative, withdrawn, depression and neuroses can develop.

Complications can arise not as a result of excessive sweating, but as a result of the initial cause of this condition. That is, if the cause of the head sweating is nervous stress and worries, then sooner or later they can affect the mental and physical health of a person. Over time, stress leads to a decrease in immunity, to the development of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. Many develop depressive states, neuroses, etc.

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Prevention

Every patient should know: if there is a tendency to sweating, and the head sweats often and noticeably, then it is necessary to remember the following warning rules:

• you need to learn to keep your emotional background under control - avoid stress, scandals, don’t worry about trifles, avoid conflict situations;
• It is important to fight excess weight, eat right, and drink enough fluids;
• It is not advisable to wear tight hats: in hot weather it is better to give preference to mesh “breathable” materials, and in cold weather – to knitted items (not fur);
• It is necessary to regularly conduct diagnostics of the state of hormonal background;
• Before going to bed, you must air out the room (at any time of year);
• It is preferable to choose sleepwear made from high-quality natural materials.

Women are advised to avoid tight hairstyles that cause blood stagnation in the scalp. It is best to let long hair down or cut it a little, for example, to a bob.

If your head still sweats, or any additional symptoms appear, you should definitely consult a medical specialist.

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Forecast

The primary form of increased sweating in the head area has a particularly favorable prognosis: elimination of external irritants leads to restoration of the sweat secretory function.

The situation is somewhat different with the secondary form of the disease. In such a situation, the further prognosis depends on how correct and timely the diagnosis is, how serious the underlying disease is, and how competently the treatment is prescribed. The secondary form requires a more in-depth diagnosis and longer treatment - if the head sweats due to some internal diseases, then treatment measures are most often delayed for several months.