A sweaty head can be caused by genetics, heat, stress, hormones, or hyperhidrosis. See a doctor if it is excessive.
Common causes
- Genetics.
- Heat.
- Stress and anxiety.
- Spicy food.
- Hormonal changes, such as menopause.
- Hyperhidrosis.
- Obesity.
Facts
The head has many sweat glands. Sweating is a normal cooling process.
What helps
Use antiperspirant on the hairline, and wear breathable hats.
See a doctor
If sweating is excessive, nighttime or with weight loss.
Types of head sweating
Sweating mainly from the scalp and face while the rest of the body stays dry may be craniofacial hyperhidrosis. The sweat glands in the scalp are eccrine glands controlled by the nervous system and respond strongly to heat, stress and spicy foods. Gustatory sweating happens on the face during eating and can occur after nerve damage near the parotid gland, called Frey syndrome.
- Primary hyperhidrosis affects about 4.8 percent of Americans, according to the International Hyperhidrosis Society.
- Secondary hyperhidrosis comes from a condition or drug, such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes with low blood sugar, menopause, infections or antidepressants.
- Night sweats with fever and weight loss need medical evaluation.
Treatments that are used
Prescription antiperspirants with aluminum chloride (10 to 20 percent) work for many people. Topical glycopyrronium wipes are approved for underarm sweating and sometimes used off-label for the face. Oral anticholinergics such as glycopyrrolate reduce sweat but can cause dry mouth and blurred vision. Botulinum toxin injections can reduce sweating for 4 to 12 months. Light, breathable hats and washing the scalp with an antiperspirant-safe routine can also help.
Types and treatment
Heavy sweating on the head and face can be primary craniofacial hyperhidrosis or secondary to menopause, thyroid disease, diabetes, infections, anxiety or medication. About 3 percent of Americans have hyperhidrosis, according to the International Hyperhidrosis Society.
Options
Prescription aluminum chloride antiperspirant, oral anticholinergics such as glycopyrrolate, topical glycopyrronium cloth wipes (FDA approved in 2018) and botulinum toxin injections can reduce sweating. Avoid triggers like spicy food, caffeine and heat. See a doctor for night sweats with fever or weight loss, or sudden new heavy sweating.
Hormones and conditions
Head and facial sweating in menopause is a vasomotor symptom linked to changing estrogen levels. Other causes are hyperthyroidism, diabetes with low blood sugar, infections such as tuberculosis, obesity, anxiety, spicy food (gustatory sweating) and Frey syndrome after parotid surgery. Neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease can also alter sweating.
Practical control
Use an antiperspirant with aluminum chloride on the scalp hairline at night, wear moisture wicking headwear, keep cool and carry a cloth. Iontophoresis is used for hands and feet and less for the head. Botulinum toxin injections for craniofacial hyperhidrosis last about 4 to 6 months. See a doctor for sweating that starts suddenly, wakes you at night or comes with weight loss or palpitations.
Based on data from the International Hyperhidrosis Society and the Mayo Clinic
