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Decreased Perspiration
Decrease or absence of perspiration happens due to defect in production or conduction of sweat to the skin surface in the presence of an appropriate stimulus. The condition may be localized (in small areas) or generalized. An abnormal lack of sweat in response to heat may be harmful, because sweating allows heat to be released from the body.
Anhidrosis, as the condition is termed sometimes goes unrecognized until a considerable amount of heat or exertion fails to cause sweating.
What causes decreased sweating?
- Neurological causes: Head injuries, heat stroke, hysteria, and neurosurgical problems such as Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Skin diseases that block sweat glands such as miliaria, contact dermatitis
- Congenital absence of sweat glands which is hereditary.
- Some drugs (antipsychotic drugs used to treat mental disorders) or topical antiperspirants containing aluminum sulfate.v
- Trauma to sweat glands such as exfoliative dermatitis.
- Burns
- Diabetes
- Dehydration or heatstrokev
- New born and premature infants commonly show temporary anhidrosis for several weeks probably due to immaturity of neural supply.
Complications:
Anhidrosis is a severe condition. In some cases, heat stroke and heat exhaustion can occur. In extreme cases, coma can result from unrecognized and untreated heat exhaustion.
When you stop sweating or do not perspire enough to cool your body, the results can be serious or even fatal. Complications include:
- Heat exhaustion: This can occur suddenly, because of excessive exercise and inadequate fluid intake. Signs and symptoms include fainting, nausea, rapid heartbeat and hot, dry skin. Cool down immediately by getting into shade and drinking cool fluids. Heat exhaustion can quickly progress to a heatstroke.
- Heatstroke: Heatstroke occurs when you work or exercise strenuously in hot weather and don't drink enough to replace the lost fluids. Older adults, obese people and children with hereditary sweating problems are at high risk of heatstroke. In some cases, heatstroke can be fatal. The main signs and symptoms of heatstroke are high temperature, hot, dry skin, or even coma.
What to do for immediate relief?
If there is a danger of overheating due to lack of sweating, take a cool shower or sit in a cool bathtub. Drink plenty of water and fluids. You can also use a cool compress. Remain in a cool or air conditioned environment. Avoid strenuous exercise and hot foods.
How to treat anhidrosis:
Treatment involves finding and treating the cause. If any medication is causing anhidrosis, the medication should be stopped or changed. It is also important to take steps to prevent heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration.
- Drink plenty of water: Do not wait until you're thirsty to drink water.
- Exercise when it is cooler.
- Choose appropriate clothing as per climatic conditions. -
- Wear a hat when outdoors.
- Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol as these liquids are dehydrating.
- Pay attention to your body: Do not ignore the warning symptoms of heat stress such as muscle cramps, nausea, dizziness or weakness.