--- title: "Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis): When to See a GP" description: "Why you sweat so much — everyday causes, hyperhidrosis, treatments that actually help, and the warning signs that mean sweating needs a GP check." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/excessive-sweating/ robots: noindex --- # Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis): When to See a GP Symptoms Why you sweat so much — everyday causes, hyperhidrosis, treatments that actually help, and the warning signs that mean sweating needs a GP check. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 18 July 2026 ## Quick answer Why do I sweat so much? Sweating heavily is often normal — heat, exercise, stress, spicy food, caffeine and being overweight all play a part, and some people simply sweat more. Antiperspirant (not deodorant), loose clothing and avoiding triggers help. See your GP if sweating soaks your clothes or bedding at night, starts suddenly, or comes with weight loss, fever or palpitations, as these need checking. General UK health information, not a diagnosis. In an emergency call 999 ; for urgent advice use [NHS 111](https://111.nhs.uk/) (GP out-of-hours in Northern Ireland). On this page 4 sections ## Common causes of excessive sweating - Heavy sweating is usually normal — driven by heat, exercise, stress, caffeine, spicy food and body weight. - Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating without an obvious trigger — common, treatable, and often hereditary. - Antiperspirants containing aluminium chloride work better than deodorants — apply at night to dry skin. - Pharmacists can advise on stronger antiperspirants; GPs can prescribe treatments or refer for iontophoresis or botulinum toxin. - Sweating that starts suddenly, drenches bedding at night, or comes with weight loss, fever or palpitations needs a GP check. ## Normal sweating vs excessive sweating Sweating is how your body sheds heat — during exercise, hot weather, stress, or after caffeine, alcohol or spicy food. How much you sweat varies enormously between people, and sweating a lot is not automatically a problem. It becomes **excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)** when it regularly soaks clothes, drips, or interferes with daily life without a matching trigger. That pattern most often affects the armpits, palms, soles and face. ## Common causes - Primary hyperhidrosis — overactive sweat signalling, often starting young and running in families; not caused by illness - Weight — carrying more weight increases sweating at any temperature - Hormones — [menopause](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/menopause/) [hot flushes](https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/hot-flushes/), and an [overactive thyroid](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/overactive-thyroid/) - [Anxiety](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/anxiety/) and stress — sweating is part of the fight-or-flight response - Medicines — some [antidepressants](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/antidepressants/), painkillers and diabetes medicines - Alcohol, caffeine and spicy food - Low blood sugar and infections ## What actually helps - Switch to an antiperspirant — deodorants mask smell; antiperspirants block sweat. Aluminium chloride products are the strongest — apply at night to completely dry skin, wash off in the morning. - Dress for it — loose fits, natural or sports moisture-wicking fabrics, dark colours or patterns that hide damp. - Trim the triggers — caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, and stress where you can. - Ask a pharmacist — stronger antiperspirants and practical advice are available without a prescription. - See a GP if it persists — options include prescription antiperspirants, iontophoresis (a mild electrical treatment for hands and feet), botulinum toxin injections for armpits, and occasionally tablets that reduce sweating. ## Sweating that needs a GP check Most heavy sweating is benign, but see a GP if sweating **starts suddenly**, affects **one side only**, **drenches bedding at night**, or comes with **weight loss, [fever](https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/high-temperature/), swollen glands or palpitations** — see our guide to [night sweats](https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/night-sweats/) for what those patterns can mean. ## ! When to get medical help for excessive sweating See your GP if sweating soaks through clothes or bedding, started suddenly without a trigger, affects one side of the body only, or comes with weight loss, fever, chest pain or palpitations. Drenching night sweats always deserve a check — causes range from menopause and medicines to infections and, rarely, lymphoma. Sweating with chest pain needs 999. ## Common questions about excessive sweating What is hyperhidrosis? Hyperhidrosis is sweating that is excessive for the situation — often affecting the armpits, palms, soles or face, without an obvious trigger. Primary hyperhidrosis usually starts in childhood or the teens, often runs in families, and is caused by overactive sweat signalling rather than illness. It is common, and effective treatments exist, so it is worth raising with a pharmacist or GP. How can I stop sweating so much? Use an antiperspirant rather than a deodorant — ideally one with aluminium chloride, applied at night to dry skin. Wear loose, natural or moisture-wicking fabrics, and cut down triggers such as caffeine, alcohol and spicy food. If that is not enough, a GP can offer prescription options, iontophoresis, botulinum toxin injections for armpit sweating, or in some cases tablets. Why do I sweat so much at night? A warm room or heavy bedding is the usual reason — but drenching night sweats that soak nightclothes or sheets need a GP review. Common causes include menopause, anxiety, alcohol, low blood sugar and medicines such as some antidepressants. Infections and, rarely, blood cancers can also cause them, especially with fever, weight loss or swollen glands. ## Sources - [NHS — Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/excessive-sweating-hyperhidrosis/) - [British Association of Dermatologists — Hyperhidrosis](https://www.bad.org.uk/patient-information-leaflets) ## How we reviewed this page Medically reviewed by the [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) First published 18 July 2026 Medically reviewed 18 July 2026 Next review due 18 July 2029 or sooner if NHS or NICE guidance changes Written by HealthAnswers editorial team. Published by HealthAnswers (Elite Digital AI Solutions Ltd). 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