If excessive sweating has no underlying medical cause, it's called primary hyperhidrosis. It happens when excess sweating is not triggered by a rise in temperature or physical activity. Primary hyperhidrosis may be at least partly hereditary.

If the excess sweating is due to an underlying medical condition, it's called secondary hyperhidrosis.

Health conditions that might cause excessive sweating include:

  1. Acromegaly
  2. Diabetic hypoglycemia
  3. Fever of undetermined cause
  4. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
  5. Infection
  6. Leukemia
  7. Lymphoma
  8. Malaria
  9. Medication side effects, such as sometimes experienced when taking some beta blockers and antidepressants
  10. Menopause
  11. Neurologic disease
  12. Pheochromocytoma (a rare adrenal gland tumor)
  13. Tuberculosis

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

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Aug. 25, 2022

See also

  1. Acromegaly
  2. Acupuncture for Hot Flashes
  3. Acute coronary syndrome
  4. Agoraphobia
  5. Alcohol use disorder
  6. Anxiety disorders
  7. Atrioventricular canal defect
  8. Autonomic neuropathy
  9. Brucellosis
  10. Calcium supplements: A risk factor for heart attack?
  11. Can zinc supplements help treat hidradenitis suppurativa?
  12. Hidradenitis suppurativa wound care
  13. Chest pain
  14. Clinical trials for hidradenitis suppurativa
  15. Coarctation of the aorta
  16. Cold and flu viruses: How long can they live outside the body?
  17. Coping with the stress of hidradenitis suppurativa
  18. Creating a hidradenitis suppurativa care team
  19. Diabetic coma
  20. Diabetic hypoglycemia
  21. Dumping syndrome
  22. Epidermolysis bullosa
  23. Fever
  24. Fever treatment: Quick guide to treating a fever
  25. Flu Shot Prevents Heart Attack
  26. Flu shots
  27. Flu: When to see a doctor?
  28. Heart attack
  29. Heart attack prevention: Should I avoid secondhand smoke?
  30. Heart attack symptoms
  31. Heart Attack Timing
  32. Heart murmurs
  33. Heat exhaustion
  34. Hidden Heart Attack
  35. Hidradenitis suppurativa
  36. Hidradenitis suppurativa and biologics: Get the facts
  37. Hidradenitis suppurativa and diet: What's recommended?
  38. Hidradenitis suppurativa and sleep: How to get more zzz's
  39. Hidradenitis suppurativa: Tips for weight-loss success
  40. Hidradenitis suppurativa: What is it?
  41. Hidradenitis suppurativa: When does it appear?
  42. Hidradenitis suppurativa: Where can I find support?
  43. High-dose flu vaccines: How are they different from other flu vaccines?
  44. Hot flashes
  45. Hyperhidrosis
  46. Influenza (flu)
  47. Leukemia
  48. Living better with hidradenitis suppurativa
  49. Managing hidradenitis suppurativa: Early treatment is crucial
  50. Hidradenitis suppurativa-related health risks
  51. NSAIDs: Do they increase my risk of heart attack and stroke?
  52. Pheochromocytoma
  53. Pituitary tumors
  54. Porphyria
  55. Pulmonary edema
  56. Reducing the discomfort of hidradenitis suppurativa: Self-care tips
  57. Rhabdomyolysis
  58. SCAD 2 Social Media as a Lifesaving Link
  59. Serotonin syndrome
  60. Silent heart attack
  61. Spider bites
  62. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)
  63. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)
  64. Staying active with hidradenitis suppurativa
  65. Surgery for hidradenitis suppurativa
  66. Thermometers: Understand the options
  67. Treating hidradenitis suppurativa: Explore your options
  68. Treating hidradenitis suppurativa with antibiotics and hormones
  69. What are the signs and symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa?