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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffSigns and symptoms of anhidrosis include:
- Little or no perspiration
- Dizziness
- Muscle cramps or weakness
- Flushing
- Feeling hot
A lack of perspiration can occur:
- Over most of your body
- In a single area
- In scattered patches
Unaffected areas may try to compensate by producing more perspiration, so it's possible to sweat profusely on one part of your body and very little or not at all on another. Anhidrosis that affects a large portion of your body prevents proper cooling, so vigorous exercise, hard physical work and hot weather can cause heat cramps, heat exhaustion or even heatstroke.
Anhidrosis can develop on its own or as one of several signs and symptoms of another disorder, such as diabetes, neuropathy or psoriasis.
When to see a doctor
If you barely sweat, even when it's hot or you're working or exercising strenuously, talk to your doctor. Because anhidrosis increases your risk of heatstroke, seek medical care if you develop any signs or symptoms of a heat-related illness, such as:
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Goose pimples on the skin, despite warm temperatures
- 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.: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2985825. Accessed Oct 8, 2009.
- 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. 9, 2009.
- More III JG. Disorders of the sweat glands. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/164330502-2/899438951/1608/1544.html. Accessed Oct. 8, 2009.
- 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 Sept. 15, 2009.
- Saper CB. Autonomic disorders and their management. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier:2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/164330686-2/0/1492/1482.html?tocnode=5463. Accessed Oct. 8, 2009.
- Drugs/medications known to cause anhidrosis. International Hyperhydrosis Society. http://www.sweatsolutions.org/pdf/Anhidrosis.pdf. Accessed Oct. 9, 2009.
- 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. 9, 2009.
- Zimmerman JL, et al. Hyperthermia. In: Hall JB, et al. Principles of Critical Care. 3rd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Professional; 2005. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2282701. Accessed July 7, 2009.
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