Overactive sympathetic response
Some individuals have heightened nerve signalling to the sweat glands, causing sweating to occur more easily or intensely.
Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
Excessive sweating may occur in specific areas even when the environment or activity level would not normally explain it.
What This Concern Looks Like
The images show underarm and palm sweating. Hyperhidrosis may also affect the soles, face, scalp or several areas together.
AI-generated illustrative images showing two common presentations. They are not photographs of M+ patients and are not intended for self-diagnosis.
Underarm hyperhidrosis can cause visible dampness that is disproportionate to heat or activity.
Palmar hyperhidrosis can affect grip, writing and handling objects.
Other Common Presentations
- Underarm dampness that soaks through clothing.
- Moist palms that affect grip or fine tasks.
- Sweating of the soles, face or scalp.
- Episodes on both sides of the body, sometimes without an obvious trigger.
- New generalised sweating, night sweats or sweating with other symptoms, which requires medical assessment.
Why It Happens
Hyperactive sweat glands can be driven by the nervous system, genetics, heat sensitivity or lifestyle factors. In many cases, sweating occurs without a clear trigger and is not related to temperature or physical activity.
Genetic influence on sweat distribution
Genetic tendencies
Hyperhidrosis commonly runs in families, particularly underarm and palm-based patterns.
Heat or humidity sensitivity
Warm environments, layers of clothing or exercise can increase sweat production disproportionately.
Stress and emotional triggers
Public speaking, social interactions or pressure-related situations may rapidly activate sweat glands.
Skin or lifestyle factors
Certain fabrics, footwear or skincare products may trap heat or moisture, amplifying sweating.
Why People May Seek Advice
Sweating is essential for temperature control, but excessive sweating can affect comfort, skin health and practical daily activities.
Daily function
Palmar sweating may interfere with writing, devices, tools or grip.
Skin comfort
Persistent moisture can contribute to irritation, friction or recurrent skin problems.
Clothing and work
Underarm sweating may require frequent clothing changes or practical adaptations.
Need for assessment
A change in pattern can be more important than the amount of sweating itself.
Common Patterns and Contributing Factors
Primary focal hyperhidrosis often begins in childhood or early adulthood and may run in families. Secondary sweating can begin later because of a medicine or health condition.
Primary focal pattern
Sweating commonly affects both underarms, palms or soles and may occur without heat or exercise.
Family tendency
A family history is common in people with focal hyperhidrosis.
Emotional triggers
Stress can intensify sweating, although the condition is not simply caused by anxiety.
Secondary sweating
New, generalised or night-time sweating may relate to medicines or a health condition and should be medically assessed.
Home Care
Practical measures may reduce symptoms, while persistent or unexplained sweating deserves assessment.
- Use an antiperspirant rather than deodorant alone, following product directions and avoiding broken skin.
- Choose breathable clothing and change damp garments or socks to reduce irritation.
- Note the timing, locations, triggers and any medicine changes to discuss at consultation.
- See your GP for new generalised sweating, night sweats or sweating with fever, weight loss, chest symptoms or other unexplained changes.
When Medical Assessment May Be Important
See a GP for sweating that starts suddenly, occurs throughout the body or at night, or is accompanied by fever, unexplained weight loss, chest pain, palpitations, breathlessness or other new symptoms.
How We Assess and Help
We review the sweating pattern, onset, triggers, affected areas, health history and previous measures before discussing suitable care or referral.
Primary or secondary pattern
The distribution and timing help determine whether medical investigation should come first.
Area-specific impact
Underarms, palms, soles and the face have different practical considerations.
Medical history
Medicines and relevant health conditions are reviewed as part of suitability assessment.
Balanced expectations
Available options may reduce sweating but individual response and duration vary.
Assessment, Safety and Next Steps
A consultation is used to understand your concern, relevant history and goals before any options are discussed. An appointment does not commit you to treatment.
- We assess the visible pattern, skin or tissue condition and factors that may affect suitability.
- Suitable options, alternatives, limitations, likely downtime and relevant risks are discussed before you decide.
- Recommendations are individualised; results and the number of sessions required vary between people.
- If the concern may need medical investigation or sits outside our scope, we may recommend another healthcare professional.
What to Expect at Consultation
1. Understand your concern
We discuss what you have noticed, your goals, relevant history, current products or treatments, and any symptoms or triggers.
2. Clinical assessment
Your clinician assesses the visible pattern and relevant skin, tissue or structural factors that may influence suitability.
3. Discuss suitable options
Where appropriate, we explain possible options, alternatives, limitations, relevant risks, likely downtime and costs without pressure to proceed.
4. Plan and follow-up
Treatment is planned only if it is suitable and you wish to proceed. We explain preparation, aftercare and review timing when relevant.
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