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How to prevent excessive head sweating

Discover what causes head sweats and how to prevent them.


What is excessive head sweating?

Sweating on the face, head or scalp is usually a natural thing. When you exercise or get too warm, the body releases sweat to cool down the body.

Sometimes head sweats are set off by strong emotions like nerves or stress. Excessive face and head sweats can cause discomfort at work or in social situations.


What causes excessive head sweating?

Some cases of excessive face sweating are caused by a medical condition called craniofacial hyperhidrosis. This condition is localised to the face, head and scalp and is thought to be the result of overactive sweat glands.

Another potential cause of excessive head sweating is secondary hyperhidrosis. This can often be a side effect of medication, a change in hormone levels, or damage to the body’s nervous system. If you think you have secondary hyperhidrosis it’s important to consult a doctor to identify the potential cause and treatment.


How can I stop excessive head sweating?

Face sweating can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Thankfully, there are ways you can manage it. A few lifestyle changes can help:

  • Wash your skin regularly, especially at the end of each day. Giving your head, scalp and face daily cleanse reduces oil and dirt build-up.
  • Avoid spicy foods. Eating peppery dishes can trigger face sweating. Cut back on meals made with lots of spices or garlic can help you avoid face sweating.
  • Keep tabs on the times of day or situations you experience head sweating the most. This will help you identify whether factors like stress or certain activities are making you sweat more than usual.

Other treatments are available for people with excessive head sweating or secondary hyperhidrosis. For more information, speak to your doctor or a professional medical adviser. They may be able to recommend treatments, medical procedures or topical antiperspirants than can minimise face sweating.

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