Absence of sweating

An abnormal lack of sweat in response to heat may be harmful because sweating allows heat to be released from the body. The medical term for absent sweating is anhidrosis.

Considerations

Anhidrosis sometimes goes unrecognized until a substantial amount of heat or exertion fails to cause sweating.

Overall lack of sweating can be life threatening because the body will overheat. If the lack of sweating happens in a small area only, it is usually not as dangerous.

Causes

Cause of anhidrosis may include:

• Burns

  Burns

  Burns commonly occur by direct or indirect contact with heat, electric current, radiation, or chemical agents. Burns can lead to cell death, which c...

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• Brain tumor
• Certain genetic syndromes
• Certain nerve problems (neuropathies)
• Congenital disorders including ectodermal dysplasia

  Ectodermal dysplasia

  Ectodermal dysplasias is a group of conditions in which there is abnormal development of the skin, hair, nails, teeth, or sweat glands.

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• Dehydration

  Dehydration

  Dehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much...

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• Nervous system disorders such as Guillain-Barré syndrome

  Guillain-Barré syndrome

  Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a serious health problem that occurs when the body's defense (immune) system mistakenly attacks part of the peripher...

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• Skin diseases or scarring of the skin that block sweat glands
• Trauma to sweat glands
• Use of certain drugs

Home Care

If there is a danger of overheating, take the following measures:

• Take a cool shower or sit in a bathtub with cool water
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Stay in a cool environment
• Move slowly
• DO NOT do heavy exercise

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if you have a general lack of sweating or an abnormal lack of sweating when exposed to heat or strenuous exercise.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will perform a physical exam. In emergencies, the health care team will perform rapid cooling measures and give you fluids to stabilize you.

You may be asked about your symptoms and medical history.

You may be asked to wrap yourself in an electric blanket or sit in a sweatbox while the health care team watches your body's reaction. Other tests to cause and measure sweating may also be done.

A skin biopsy may be done. Genetic testing may be done if appropriate.

Treatment depends on the cause of your lack of sweating. You may be given medicine to cause sweating.