What it is
Excessive sweating, often during panic attacks.
Traditional use
Sweating
Excessive sweating, often during panic attacks.
CategorySkin
Reviewed by Ciara Magee · Functional Health
26 March 2026
At a glance
Sweating at a glance
Commonly experienced as
- People report sudden, profuse sweating, particularly on the palms or forehead.
Evidence context
Traditional useSee the evidence snapshotContext
Patterns of Sweating
Sweating is a physiological thermoregulatory response — the autonomic nervous system activating eccrine sweat glands to cool the body through evaporative heat loss. It is normal and essential during exercise, in hot environments, and during fever. Clinically significant sweating encompasses excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) — either focal (palms, armpits, soles, face) or generalised — that occurs without adequate thermal trigger and significantly impairs daily life, social functioning, and confidence. Primary hyperhidrosis has a neurological basis (overactive sympathetic stimulation) without systemic disease. Secondary hyperhidrosis reflects systemic causes including hyperthyroidism, menopause, infection, malignancy, medication effects, and anxiety. Night sweats are a specific variant requiring separate assessment. Holistic and medical management depends on distinguishing focal primary hyperhidrosis from systemic secondary causes.
Could this be you
People commonly experience
Sweating shows up differently for everyone. Browse by how it tends to be felt — these are common experiences, not a checklist or a diagnosis.
In the body1 common experience
- People report sudden, profuse sweating, particularly on the palms or forehead.
Common experiences people describe — not a diagnostic checklist.
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Related conditions
The Evidence
Evidence context: Sweating
What the evidence says about excessive sweating, when to seek help, and how complementary approaches may support management.
Overall pictureTraditional & limited evidence
Sweating is normal — but persistent excess warrants assessment
Excessive sweating can stem from primary nervous system overactivity or secondary systemic causes. Evidence for complementary approaches is limited; identifying the underlying cause through professional assessment is the essential first step.
When to seek prompt medical attentionSome patterns of sweating signal conditions requiring urgent professional evaluation.
Seek prompt care if sweating is accompanied by unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, chest pain, or night sweats that disrupt sleep regularly. These may indicate systemic conditions — including thyroid disorders, infection, or other underlying illness — that require professional assessment rather than self-management.
Getting the right professional supportDistinguishing primary from secondary hyperhidrosis shapes which practitioners can help most.
A general practitioner is the appropriate starting point to rule out systemic causes such as hormonal changes, medication effects, or infection. Dermatologists specialise in primary hyperhidrosis management. If anxiety is a significant trigger, a mental health professional may also be relevant to your care pathway.
What the evidence showsResearch on complementary approaches for excessive sweating is limited and mostly preliminary.
Stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness and relaxation training have modest supporting evidence for anxiety-related sweating. Herbal remedies are used traditionally but lack robust clinical trial data for hyperhidrosis specifically. Evidence is insufficient to recommend any complementary approach as a standalone intervention for significant or unexplained sweating.
Understanding the physiologySweating is a normal autonomic response — excess sweating reflects a disruption in that regulation.
Eccrine sweat glands are activated by the sympathetic nervous system to regulate body temperature. In primary hyperhidrosis, this system is overactive without a thermal trigger. Secondary hyperhidrosis has identifiable systemic causes. Understanding which type is present is essential before any management approach — complementary or conventional — is considered.
Complementary approaches in contextSome complementary practices may support wellbeing alongside conventional care for sweating.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction, acupuncture, and certain herbal preparations are used in complementary practice for anxiety-related or generalised sweating. Evidence is preliminary and largely traditional. These approaches are best considered as supportive additions to — not substitutes for — professional assessment and any indicated conventional management.
A range of care options existsManagement options span lifestyle, complementary, and conventional approaches depending on cause and severity.
Lifestyle measures such as breathable clothing, temperature regulation, and stress management can reduce impact. Conventional options range from antiperspirants to medical procedures for primary hyperhidrosis. Complementary practitioners may offer supportive strategies. The most appropriate path depends on the type and severity of sweating identified through professional assessment.
References
Evidence & Research
Educational sources that inform this overview. Inclusion is for context and does not imply endorsement.
- Stress and the developing social brain
- Why zebras don't get ulcers (3rd ed.)
- Stress and body shape: Stress-induced cortisol secretion is consistently greater among women with central fat
Full citations are maintained by the Gyfts editorial team and reviewed periodically.
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