To stop face sweating, it is important to understand what is causing it. A sweaty face is usually caused by very hot environments or intense physical activity, but it may also be related to hyperhydrosis. This condition is associated with excessive sweat production.

Face sweating is a natural cooling mechanism that the body uses to maintain body temperature. Sweat is produced all day, but may not always be noted. With hyperhydrosis, sweat glands produce much more sweat than necessary, which can cause excessive face sweating.

In most cases, a very sweaty face does not require specific treatment. However, if it is uncomfortable and occurs frequently, you should consult a dermatologist for assessment and treatment as necessary.

Why do I sweat so much in my face?

The main causes of excessive face sweating are:

1. Hot environments

Hot environments can lead to increased sweat production, which can be noted in various parts of the body, including the scalp. In addition to sweating, hot environments may also cause scalp itchiness. These symptoms can often be relieved with a thorough cleansing of the head and hair.

2. Intense physical activity

Physical activity can lead to increased body temperature, which increases sweat production. Sweat can be noticed in the head as well as other parts of the body.

3. Stress and anxiety

Stress and anxiety can also lead to excessive head sweating in some people. This sweating is a stress response to situations that increase blood circulation.

4. Hyperhydrosis

Hyperhydrosis is a condition associated with excessive sweat production, even when it’s not hot or the person is at rest. It can be most noted in the hands, feet, armpits and head.

5. Fever

A fever is characterized by an increase in body temperature to 38ºC (or 100.4ºF) or above. In many cases, a fever is an immune system response to a viral or bacterial infection in the body, but it can also be triggered by non-infectious processes, like a sunburn, inflammation or malignancy. It can lead to your face sweating, as well as sweating in other parts of the body, in addition to chills, headaches and body aches.

Sweaty face in babies

Babies tend to sweat a lot through the scalp and face, especially when breastfeeding. This is a normal, expected finding, as a baby’s head tends to have increased circulation compared to the rest of the body, making it more prone to become warmer and sweaty.

Babies who struggle to feed may also experience higher body temperatures. The close proximity of the baby’s body to the adult body can also increase body temperature, leading to increased sweat production. It is also important to remember that babies have an immature thermoregulation system, meaning they have a harder time to cool down or warm up to keep their body at around 36º C.

To prevent excessive head sweating in babies, be sure to dress the child in lighter clothing while feeding. Very heavy sweating should be assessed by a pediatrician to rule out other conditions that require a more specific treatment.

How to stop it

Excessive face sweating can be a normal finding. However, if it is very uncomfortable or if it occurs frequently, you should consult a dermatologist. Depending on the severity of sweating, the doctor may recommend medications like:

Aluminum chloride
Ferric subsulfate solution, also known as Monsel’s solution
Silver nitrate
Oral glycopyrrolate
Antipyretics to treat sweating related to fever

With hyperhydrosis, the doctor may recommend botox injection applied in the area where sweating is most intense. This procedures takes about 30 minutes and requires no downtime. Sweating tends to decrease about 3 days after the initial infection.

If botox injections are ineffective, the dermatologist can recommend surgery, which involves surgical incisions into the skin.