Excessive head and face sweating

 hello - I read with sadness to see the same horrible sweating head facial  sweating - if any one has done the surgery called bilateal sympathectomy please email me.  thank you all .  I  tried the glycopyrratate and my mouth got so dry I couldn't speak.  Heaven help us.  We will figure this out - I know we will - all of us. Diana

I have the exact same story also. The only things I have found to help me at all is taking 2mg Glycopyrrolate twice a day and 2mg of Clonidine twice a day. I have also found a great product on Amazon which is a primer I apply before my makeup. They also make a setting spray you can use after applying makeup but I find I don't need that with the primer. My makeup will stay put even if I get a little sweaty. I can just blot the sweat and my makeup is good to go. Don't get me wrong about the prescriptions, I still will sweat more than most people but it is much more controlled than before. Down side of the meds is extreme dry mouth and the Clonidine is a blood pressure med so it tends to make me feel tired.  Not sure if the names of the products are allowed on her but you can email me if they are removed from my post.  Good luck an I hope some of this is helpful. 

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Hi Rileyangel,

I read your post and felt compelled to answer. I have had head, face, and neck sweating since 2003 or so. I have been a nurse since age 18 and an orthopedic nurse for much of that time. Total knees were common and I have never encountered any patient having sweating of any kind. My CH didn't appear until age 35. I am now 48 and it is still a huge problem- even worse now!! I have done endless research and have never learned as much as I have at this forum... A great number of people with CH, have RA, and fibromyalgia. I had C spine surgery in 2003 and the sweating began right around the time the stenosis did. There are spinal nerve roots in between the vertebra and the ribs and I believe that one or more was interfered with. I am going to ask about the glycopyrrolate and possibly the ionopheresis treatments. I hope you do well with whatever the Neurosurgeon recommends. As far as the sweating goes, your guess is as good as mine but it is great to talk to people with the same problems as we! God bless and good luck!

Hi RileyAngel!

Although you posted this about a year ago, I wanted to check in to see how things are with you now? Your comment caught my eye because you mentioned having spinal stenosis. If I may, I'd like to share my story about my spinal stenosis with you.

About a year and a half ago, at the age of 59, I had to have emergency surgery for cervical spinal stenosis. Apparently, I had been asymptomatic for quite a while, so I had no clue how bad it had become until in a matter of just 7 days I went from what I had thought was "normal", to both of my arms and hands, and my legs and feet going completely numb, and I lost my ability to walk! All in a such short amount of time! Long story, short {🤔Hmm? I wonder if I can even say that after looking back and seeing how much I have already written! LOL!!!}--Ok, where was I? Oh yes! My stenosis. So, anyway, after being sent to the ER by my primary physician, a neurosurgeon ordered a MRI, and he quickly had me admitted to the hospital, and preformed my surgery the very next day! He advised me that my spinal stenosis was SO severe, that my spinal cord was being severely compressed and had started to hemorrhage-and a small part of it had already died. He scared the buh-jeebies out of me when he told me that I was just one accidental bump to my neck away from being a quadriplegic for the rest of my life! He advised me that having surgery wasn't one of those "should have" situations...he told me that it was more like a "have to" type of situation! He went on to say that if I chose not to have surgery, he could guarantee me that within another week or two I would definitely be a quadriplegic. Yeah, THAT got MY attention!😲 So, I did have the surgery and the only permanent side effect I now have is a bit of a problem with my balance. {If I lean down from my waist, I lose my balance and fall forward to the ground}

Okay, so... if I haven't lost you after all of that, I really would love to hear how you are doing today. 😊

[••ON A SIDE NOTE••] In reading all of the various comments in this forum, has anyone else noticed that a fairly good number of people with excessive sweating are, or were, taking some sort of pain medication, and in some cases, they're also taking some type of antidepressant(s)? Besides having excessive sweating, I also deal with chronic back pain, due to failed back surgery, and I not only take pain medication, but I take 2 different types of antidepressants for my depression, as well. I wonder if there is any kind of causal connection to those meds and excessive sweating??? Your thoughts??]

I'm late to this thread too but like you Dave I suffer the exact same way! I DREAD hot weather and find that even light exersise (or work - such as hoovering for gods sake!) makes my face (and whole head) feel like it's been ducked in a bath full of water.

This last weekend I went to a festival with the wife, I eagerly watched the weather leasding up to the event knowing that hot days would be a disaster! 

Well guess what, it was 2 of the hottest days on record for the time of year and area so I took some time to really 'study' this hideous affliction! I noticed

That NO ONE else sweats like me! I was at a festival with thousands of people and I made it my mission to look at as many brows as I could over the course of the 3 days we were there. I saw ONE other person who had as much sweat on his brow/head/hair as much as me, he was severely overweight (which I'm not saying WAS causing his problem but I figure it more than likely) I am not, I'm 6' 2" and weigh about 16.8 Stone, i'm no waif but I'm not overweight either. 

This is not an exxageration! I saw just the ONE person. 

Everyone seems to enjoy the sun more than me (presumably because they dont sweat profusely from their head!) and I watched people actually 'choose' to sit in the sun rather than the shade where me and a few others found some respite from the sun. 

I feel for you and everyone here, I HATE being like this, I want it to change so much! 

Thanks Brian, I had noticed this name pop up several timnes in this thread and after seeing your post this morning I have rung my doctor... 

I await his return call, and I will ask him straight. 

Thanks again, I'll let you know how I get on! 

Hi again Brian, 

As a follow up... I spoke to my doctor and he said that " Cranial Hyperhidrosis" simply means 'Head Sweating', and it brings us no closer to an actual diagnosis as such. He said further to that, that he and other doctors had used that exact term on my notes when I had mentioned it to them before.

When I mentioned Oxybutynin, he said that he was happy for me to give it a try and 'see' if it helps. 

I asked him if I could take then 'on and off' as in when I knew (as per my original post) that I might be going somewhere that would potentially be hot and embarrasing and he also said that there would be no trouble in starting and stopping this medication as and when needed. 

He did say that it might take a few days for the tablets to actually have the desired effect, so I would need to know a few days in advance of going out etc. 

It seems a good drug to 'trial' folks... 

I will let you know how I get on when I pick it up later today! 

Hi, I suffer from this sweating too. Pretty much as everyone else has described. It's so upsetting. At the moment I have so many things wrong with me including depression, anxiety, back pain and leg pain which stops me from working, and other less important things. Everytime I see my doctor  he says it must be the anti depressants causing the sweating. So I see my shrink and he says it must be the pain meds I'm on . So I'm getting nowhere. I see my doctor again soon so I'm going to ask about some of the things mention here like oxybutynin , somethings gotta give. I'm only 52 and this has been so hard to deal with. 

Peterc64 - Sorry to hear of your troubles, I suffer from all of the exact same ailments as you do and I too am close to same age (51 1/2).

I sweat only when it's slightly warm or humid but it is abnormal where it runs down my face and back and soaks my hair.  It happens whether I am on antidepressants or not.  I have narrowed my causes down to 3 possibles:  1.) Severe chronic spine pain- my body is in constant active state of trying to fix the pain source so slight warmth is more than it can handle.  2.)  My opiate pain meds- though I have reduced my daily dose by 90% and sweating has not reduced.  3.) Hashimoto's Thyroid autoimmune disorder- The thyroid is like a thermostat for the body.

But my thyroid levels seem fine on labs so who knows.

Try to think back to when your sweating started, might help you pinpoint any meds that might be to blame.  I read on one medical website that excessive sweating can also be sign of a benign lesion somewhere in the body or nervous system but don't anyone freak out cz I only mention this cz they said that it's important to tell your Dr. (I think a neurologist) what your specific sweating pattern is cz that can tell them a lot!  Meaning, is is mainly just your head and face, or palms of hands, etc.

Hi MrsRonnie, I know it's very embarrassing for all of us. A few weeks ago I went out with some friends , it was cold and wet. So I took off my wet coat and my tshirt was wet from sweat, I was so embarrassed. I already suffer from depression and anxiety but this is just making it worst. I can see how it would be affecting you too. I'm still waiting to see my doctor to ask about some of these treatments, I keep forgetting to make an appointment . Just remember that you are not alone , we are all going through this thing together. Keep in touch as people here seem willing to help, I will if I can. Maybe between the lot of us we can find a treatment that works for you and me . I'm here if you need someone to chat to.

After reading these posts I asked my Dr. about oxybutinin . It's at the pharmacy now !!!  Excited to try this. I'm a painting instructor, as I teach I have sweat running down my face and chest like I went through a rain storm. My hair is ringing wet.......everything everyone has said.  I never knew about this forum but I am so happy I found it. No one I know sweats like me.  My body is fine, just the face, chest ,head.... errrrr. I would like to know how the meds work for you. I will be taking mine tmorrow.  Someone said it works best on an empty stomack, or that was the other drug. If anyone has an answer to this pleace let me know....  now off to a boat ride on a hot humid Wi. day. !!!   I should look fresh as a baked apple in no time !!  lol

I am so sorry. My head and top body sweating started A few months ago. I have taken myself off all meds to see what happens.  No change. I personally think it's my thyroid. I am having ultrasound done tomorrow. As I am now coughing , difficult to swallow at times and short of breath . My dr doesn't know why the sweating and you are right it's embarrassing.  I am hoping this ultrasound shows something....that's how desperate I am....you are not alone. 

I know everybody here is upset about what they are going through. But I would just like to say I feel relived that I'm not the only one suffering. Before I found this site I couldn't find anyone with this condition which made me feel even worse. Now at least there is hope and I don't feel so alone. Good luck everybody and I hope that one of us finds the answer to our problem. Don't forget to give updates about things you try and how they went.

I totally get that.....my body is not able to regulate my temp.  Let me know how that ultrasound turns out. My doc first gave me an anti depressant that is supose to stop sweating, it didnt help at all. Yesterday i called heer on the oxybutinin and I will try it. Some people on here swear by it.  But WHY is this happening I would like that answer from a Dr.

Thanks. It's frustrating having to explain to people why you are sweating in the cold. I'm so glad I found this forum and now know that I am not alone.

I had my doctor run tests and she found nothing to why I'm sweating the way I do. It's like I turn on a faucet in too of my head and it just pours down. I will see about the oxybutinin. It would be so amazing if it works for me. Hope you are successful with it.

I just heard about it here, haven't tried it yet. It is a prescription so I will have to go through my primary care to get it. I will update once I'm able to use it and see if it works for me. Some that have tried it said it was really helpful for them, so willing to try.

I just read this off of the web has anyone heard of Anhidrosis or Hyperhidrosos or trimethylamime?? Also has anyone having problems with their hands, feet, legs and ankles swelling? I even been on Lasix for that and no one knows why I'm swelling either. You would think with all of the sweating I'm doing I shouldn't be retaining fluid?? Just got this off of the web just thought I would share it bc I'm lost and I'm tired of going to the doctors and they don't know why and wasting my money and always being told if symptoms gets any worse go to the ER? I've gone to the ER and they couldn't find anything either so why would I go back and pay more money for them to tell me I don't know?? That's such BS so I'm gonna continue to research this myself and see what I come up with then I guess I make a Drs appt and tell them what's wrong and let him treat me for it lol lol and tell them I'll send them a bill bc I had to diganosis myself lol. But this is what I got off the web hope it helps someone

going swimmingly during your summer walk, when suddenly you realize you've stopped sweating and you're starting to get dizzy. Anhidrosis, or the inability to sweat normally, can be dangerous, since it prevents your body from naturally cooling off. If you continue on without rehydrating, you risk heat illnesses like heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Move to a shady or air-conditioned space and have something cool to drink (without caffeine or alcohol). If you don't start to feel better quickly, call for emergency medical attention.

However, longer-lasting anhidrosis may be due to nerve damage, certain medications, or an inherited condition, which can increase risk for heat illnesses and heart problems, too, says David M. Pariser, MD, former president of the American Academy of Dermatology. It's pretty rare, though, he says; just because you don’t feel moist and clammy, doesn't mean you're truly not sweating. Turns out, most of us produce about an ounce and a half of sweat every day, not counting those puddles you make when you work out. If you notice a real drop in your sweat production, be sure to bring it up with your doc.

5. Your blood sugar's low

Normally, your blood sugar should be between 70 and 100 milligrams per deciliter, if measured when fasting. But if it drops below that 70 mark, whether because of diabetes or something like strenuous exercise, you may start to feel the effects. One symptom can be excessive sweating, or cold, clammy skin, particularly at the back of your neck at your hairline. (Watch out for a quickened heartbeat, shakiness, slight nausea, dizziness, and blurred vision, too.) Luckily, in cases of a mild dip, you can bring your blood sugar back up to normal by eating or drinking something. But if your blood sugar continues to drop, you'll likely start to notice other more serious symptoms and could require medical care.

( Photograph by Monkey Business Images/Getty Images )

MORE: So You Sweat...A Lot. Here's Help.

6. You're eating the wrong foods

If you've been cursed with particularly fishy smelling B.O., you may have a rare genetic disorder called trimethylaminuria, which means your body can't break down the chemical compound trimethylamine, produced during digestion of foods like eggs, legumes, and fish. Instead, your body sheds excess trimethylamine via sweat, urine, and breath—often producing a smell not unlike rotting fish, rotting eggs, or garbage, according to the National Institutes of Health. If you think you may have trimethylanminuria, work with your doctor to come up with the best treatment plan, which will likely involve avoiding these foods and possibly popping certain supplements.

7. You might need more to drink than your workout buddy on your next long run

Ever had sweat drip into your eyes, only to find yourself in searing, stinging pain? Does dried sweat leave a gritty feeling or white streaks on your cheeks, too? You're probably a salty sweater, common among people who get lots of water during the day and keep sodium pretty low in their diet. You'll probably want to reach for a sports drink or an electrolyte tablet you can dissolve in some H2O sooner than the average exerciser. (Bored with plain water? Try these slimming Sassy Water recipes.)

( Photograph by AMR Image/Getty Images )

8. You could have hyperhidrosis

If a doc can't find an explanation for your excessive sweating, you may have a condition called primary focal hyperhidrosis, when excessive sweating is a medical condition in and of itself. And no, spinning enthusiast, you do not have hyperhidrosis if you can produce a lake of sweat under your bike. Primary focal hyperhidrosis is typically marked by sweating so excessive it interferes with your daily activities. "You're supposed to sweat when you’re physically hot, or exercising, or stressed," says Pariser, who’s also secretary and founding member of the International Hyperhidrosis Society. "People with primary hyperhidrosis sweat at times when they shouldn't." Even in a cool room, sitting perfectly still, a person with hyperhidrosis could have sweat dripping from her hands, he says.

Experts aren't entirely sure why it happens, but they do know that hyperhidrosis runs in families and is the result of too much stimulation from the nerves that trigger the sweat glands. "The switch is stuck in the 'on' position," Pariser says. Depending on the location of the sweating, hyperhidrosis treatment varies, but can include prescription-strength antiperspirant (even on the hands and feet), Botox injections, and surgery.

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9. You could have lymphoma

Hyperhidrosis can also be a side effect of a number of health conditions—including gout, hyperthyroidism, and Parkinson's disease—and even some medications. Particularly troubling is that it can be a symptom of lymphoma, or cancer of the lymph cells, which play a role in the immune system. It's not completely understood yet why lymphoma can cause drenching sweat; it could be something about lymphoma itself or how the body responds to it, Pariser says. Perhaps it's a reaction to another symptom—fever—as the body tries to cool itself down. (Both fever and sweating are known as "B" symptoms and linked with more aggressive lymphoma.) Or, it could be caused by hormones and proteins produced by cancer cells themselves, according to the UK Lymphoma Association

I pick mine up tomorrow.

Hi Kutter Alex from Ireland,I have head and neck plus back sweating worse in the sun but still sweat even in winter.I love the Sun but for the sweats anyway I was told by my Doctor I can't take Oxyb because I am on melds for my heart as I had bypass surgery 6 years ago and am Diabetic type 2.

I have be using Oteban spray put it on at night on dry skin let it dry an shower in the morning works for a few hours then the sweats start.

I have tried all home cures to avail ACV Honey even pure Sage Tea all a waste of time I am glad that Oxy works for u as my Doctor says there is Notting he can do for me would welcome any ideas re my Medes 

Alex