What causes excessive sweating in children?

Every female mother knows that it is very common for babies to sweat. Children have a high metabolism, their skin contains more water, and they have more capillaries, so they are prone to sweating when they are more active. If you sweat due to high ambient temperature, thick clothes or intense exercise, etc., we can rest assured. However, if children sweat when they are quiet, we should be alert. So what is the reason for excessive sweating in children? Let me take a look at the following content.

Normal causes of excessive sweating in children

It is mostly normal for babies to sweat excessively, which is medically called physiological hyperhidrosis. For example, the hot weather in summer causes children to sweat excessively; infants and young children sweat on their heads and necks when they just fall asleep, but the sweat decreases after they fall asleep; babies sweat a lot after playing, running and jumping, but are generally in good condition; in winter, babies wear too many clothes, the quilts are too thick at night, and the indoor air-conditioning temperature is too high, causing babies to overheat and sweat a lot. Some babies sweat only on the head and forehead, commonly known as "steamer head". This is also physiological sweating and parents do not need to worry.

Unusual causes of excessive sweating in children

(1) Active rickets: Infants under one year old sweat a lot. If they lack outdoor activities and sunlight exposure, and do not add cod liver oil and calcium powder in time, parents should observe whether the baby has other symptoms of rickets besides sweating, such as crying at night, crying and shaking head on the pillow while sleeping, etc. Parents should take their baby to the hospital for examination by a doctor to make a clear diagnosis.

(2) Children with active tuberculosis often sweat a lot not only in the first half of the night, but also in the second half of the night before dawn, which is called "night sweats." At the same time, there are poor appetite, low fever in the afternoon (some have high fever), flushed face, weight loss, and some have cough, enlarged liver and spleen, swollen lymph nodes and other symptoms. There is often a history of contact with tuberculosis, and the elderly, parents or nannies in the family suffer from tuberculosis.

(3) Hypoglycemia often occurs in the hot summer when babies sweat a lot, refuse to eat at night, and feel listless when waking up in the morning. The children show symptoms of sadness and restlessness, pale complexion, cold sweats, even profuse sweating, and cold limbs.

(4) Pediatric endocrine diseases (this type of disease causing hyperhidrosis is relatively rare). For example, hyperthyroidism is more common in school-age children, mostly girls. It may manifest as excessive sweating, irritability, increased appetite without weight gain, panic, heart palpitations, and even bulging eyes. Babies with obesity also sweat easily, and they sweat a lot when they move or walk.

(5) Other acute and chronic infectious diseases in children accompanied by other clinical manifestations: such as typhoid fever, sepsis, rheumatoid disease, connective tissue disease, lupus erythematosus or blood disease.

Through the introduction of the above article, I believe everyone knows what is going on with excessive sweating in children. Therefore, when parents find that their baby is sweating a lot, they should first find out the cause of the sweating. Don't be careless. Also, be careful not to let the baby face the fan directly when the baby is sweating, as direct wind will easily cause the baby to catch a cold. Children who sweat a lot should also replenish water in time. Avoid dehydration which may lead to collapse.