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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffCertain factors make anhidrosis more likely, including:
- Age. As you grow older, your ability to sweat normally may diminish, usually because your body has more trouble regulating its temperature.
- Certain health problems. Any medical condition that damages your autonomic nerves makes sweat gland problems more likely. Diabetes is a common condition that can cause nerve damage, but a number of other diseases can injure both nerves and sweat glands, often in a specific area, such as your legs or face.
- Skin disorders. Many diseases that irritate or inflame the skin also affect the sweat glands. Anhidrosis can occur with a number of skin disorders, including psoriasis; exfoliative dermatitis, which is marked by severe skin scaling; heat rash; scleroderma, which causes hard, tight skin; and ichthyosis — extremely dry, scaly skin.
- Genetic abnormalities. Mutations in certain genes can lead to disorders that affect the sweat glands.
References
- Fealey RD, et al. Disorders of the eccrine sweat glands and sweating. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2985825. Accessed Oct. 25, 2011.
- No sweat? It's not always a dream come true. International Hyperhydrosis Society. http://www.sweatsolutions.org/SweatSolutions/Article.asp?ArticleCode=26497017&EditionCode=87373635. Accessed Oct. 14, 2011.
- More III JG. Disorders of the sweat glands. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/164330502-2/899438951/1608/1544.html. Accessed Oct. 25,2011.
- Extreme heat: A prevention guide to promote your personal health and safety. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp. Accessed Oct. 25, 2011.
- Advice for older adults on staying safe in hot weather. National Institute on Aging. http://www.nia.nih.gov/NewsAndEvents/PressReleases/PR20080731hyperthermia.htm. Accessed Oct. 25, 2011.
- Cheshire WP, et al. Drug-induced hyperhidrosis and hypohidrosis. Drug Safety. 2008;31:109.
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