No sweat: Could it be anhidrosis?

Dear Reader,

Here’s some info to quench your thirst for knowledge: anhidrosis (which is sometimes referred to as hypohidrosis) refers to a medical condition for a significantly decreased amount of, or lack of, sweating. Perspiration is the body’s way of regulating temperature and preventing an individual from overheating. So when a person doesn’t sweat, it could be an indicator of a serious condition. A person who doesn't sweat (or doesn't sweat enough) can easily become overheated, experience heat cramps and exhaustion, and even have a heat stroke — which can be life threatening. Children are particularly vulnerable to the complications of anhidrosis because their body temperatures rise more quickly and get rid of heat less efficiently than adults. If you’re concerned that your daughter may have anhidrosis, it’s a good idea to talk with a health care provider about how to treat any underlying concerns that could be causing this condition. In the meantime, you can read on for some strategies to keep her cool in the face of heat.

There are a range of health conditions that can lead to anhidrosis, including:

• Dehydration
• Skin diseases or conditions that can block or clog sweat ducts
• Injury to the skin and sweat glands, including burns
• Use of certain medications
• Inherited conditions that affect the metabolic system or that impact the development of sweat glands
• Conditions associated with nerve damage, such as diabetes, alcoholism, or Guillain-Barre syndrome

The prognosis for anhidrosis can vary based on the cause, which is why a medical provider may be able to provide some insight to determine the root cause of your daughter’s lack of sweating. They can do some investigating into your daughter’s condition, health history, and recommend appropriate next steps.

It sounds like you’ve already discovered a cold towel as a way to help your daughter stay cool. Other strategies that may help mitigate some of the heat-related symptoms that you’ve described include encouraging your daughter to take frequent breaks during a soccer match or while engaging in other physical activities. She can also make sure to drink plenty of cool water, fruit juice, or sports drinks with electrolytes to stay cool and well hydrated when playing. If your daughter experiences any heat-related complications that don’t improve with these methods, it may be necessary to seek out immediate medical attention.

Hope this helps you and your daughter beat the heat!