Here's a weird question:Does anyone have an inability to sweat?

[Pajama Mama]

I went to an amusement park today with dh, my kids, my mom, stepdad and nephew. It was really hot today. We were there for about 90 min when I started feeling really awful. I was in line for a ride and my stomach hurt so much. We made the ride but afterwards I had to go to the restroom. I noticed a first aid station and told dh I was going there. I was starting to get chills(it was 87 degrees). I went into the station and asked to use their bathroom. I threw up and well...the other end was a problem too. Sorry to be gross. I looked at my face and it was completely red. We hung out at the first aid station for awhile and went home. I'm feeling better not except that I have a blistering headache.

This happens to me sometimes because I don't sweat. For as long as I can remember, I have been this way. It makes exercising, playing outside with kids on hot days, etc, difficult. I have a hypothyroid issue but it's fine now with meds. The thyroid was only a problem since last year. I've had the non-sweating issue for years. Should I call my doc on Monday and ask about it? I don't think I've ever mentioned it to my doc before. I know it's not a serious issue but it's really an inconvenient one. Everyone left the park today because of me. I told them they could stay but my mom was worried about me. I feel like I ruined everyone's day.

Does anyone else have this issue? I'd like to know that I'm not the only freak out here:glare:

[enigma]

My 9yo son has a decreased ability to sweat. (He doesn't sweat as much as he should, due to fewer sweat glands, due to a genetic funkiness.) His docs just said to be aware of it, and deal with it appropriately. We dress him cooler than his sister year round, and make sure we have hydration with us when we're out and about in the heat. I'm not aware of their being any medical treatment for this. Perhaps you should mention it, next time you're in your primary care physician's office. I don't know that he/she could do anything about it, but it might be indicative of a bigger issue. Or, it might just be your particular funkiness. We all have something, some are just more obvious / more of a nuisance than others.

[Parrothead]

It is something your medical doctor needs to know about. The proper term is anhidrosis. http://www.mamashealth.com/skin/anhidrosis.asp

[Mrs. Readsalot]

Here is some information I found on this
No sweating

Q: My brother is 23 years old and suffers from the peculiar problem of not sweating at all for the past four years. He did not suffer from this problem during childhood. During April, May and June, his body temperature goes up to 101?C to 102?C, even if he stays indoors. He also complains of feeling tired during this period. He maintains a healthy diet and goes for a morning walk every day. Initially, he was under medication, but it had no effect in bringing down his body temperature. The temperature becomes normal only when the weather cools down. He underwent a whole lot of medical tests prescribed by the doctors, but nothing abnormal was found. The doctors advised him to stay indoors, and to keep the body cool by having frequent baths with cold water, even twice or thrice daily. But it is not possible to stay indoors for three months because he also has to attend office. I am really very concerned about my brother. Please suggest a remedy to his problem.

A: Sweat is produced by the sweat glands present all over the body. As the sweat evaporates, it cools the body and reduces temperature. This is normal. Your brother is suffering from anhidrosis, which is the inability to sweat in response to heat. It is dangerous and can even be life threatening, especially in areas where the weather is dry and hot, as the inability to sweat causes the internal body temperature to rise.

Some common causes of anhidrosis are:

• neurological disorders such as Guillain-Barre syndrome

• diabetes

• congenital disorders like ectodermaldysplasia

• certain drugs and medications

Successful treatment involves establishing a correct diagnosis and tackling the cause. Until the diagnosis is made, it’s important to take steps to prevent heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration. He should continue taking frequent baths, stay preferably in an air-conditioned room and wear light cotton clothes.

[Crissy]

Yes. My nine year old has this problem.
In addition to dressing him in cooler clothes and keeping him hydrated, we wet his hair often and use a flexible ice pack on his neck.
We have spoken with our doctor about the issue, and he tells us that we are doing all that can be done.

I am a little disappointed to hear about it in an adult (in addition to feeling terrible for you and what you and all that you went through). We have long hoped that he would out grow it.

[Julie in CA]

I never have been a person who sweats, and in the last couple of years I've had to start taking medicine for allergies and high blood pressure. In the past year or so, I've definitely had problems coping with heat. I get sick, dizzy, and my muscles start cramping up. After that the headache starts--it quickly becomes so severe that I cannot function at all.

Obviously it feels awful, but thankfully I have a lifestyle that allows me to pretty much avoid becoming overheated. I don't really like the way that I feel like a wimpy "pansy" who has to be coddled and protected from heat, especially when I have a farmer husband who can and does work all day in the sun when it's 110*. My boys are very tough about hard work and heat too.

When I have to be in the heat, I bring *cold* water to drink the whole time, and it helps me a *ton* to carry a spray bottle of cold water with me and mist myself. I must appear a little weird to others when we're out, but if I plan ahead for those two things, I can do pretty well. I don't whine about it, and I try not to draw attention to myself, but I've gotta drink and mist!

[nmoira]

This might be a weird question back, but do you have any missing or oddly shaped teeth? One of DD's friends has a genetic condition (the name of which I could look up) that makes her prone to overheating because she doesn't sweat. Because of this she also has fewer than the typical amount of teeth (and the ones she has are distinctly pointy) and very fine hair.

[Crissy]

This might be a weird question back, but do you have any missing or oddly shaped teeth? One of DD's friends has a genetic condition (the name of which I could look up) that makes her prone to overheating because she doesn't sweat. Because of this she also has fewer than the typical amount of teeth (and the ones she has are distinctly pointy) and very fine hair.

My son does not have any abnormalities with his teeth, and his hair is definitely not thing or fine.

[jonesloonybin]

I have that problem but it is because of medication I am taking. When I first started taking it, I had alot of those moments...now I am more aware and we freeze water bottles or ice packs and take them with us and just take things really easy.

It is hard living here in NC and I am really looking forward to some cooler weather.

[klmama]

A girl I went to high school with had this. She always looked perfect, as her makeup didn't smear or fade from sweat, but she was miserable whenever it got hot. She had to be very careful not to overheat.

I would definitely talk with your doctor about it. You need to educate yourself so this doesn't happen again!

[Julie in CA]

I have that problem but it is because of medication I am taking. When I first started taking it, I had alot of those moments...now I am more aware and we freeze water bottles or ice packs and take them with us and just take things really easy.


I don't want to be too nosy, or too personal, but do you mind if I ask if the medication is for allergies or high blood pressure?
I'm taking medication for both of those, and have had a lot more problems with the heat since taking them. I've been wondering which one is the culprit. Maybe you're taking what I'm taking?

[Pajama Mama]

Sorry to post and run. I posted the question and then went to lie down on the couch to help get rid of the headache.

I will probably call the doctor on Monday. It's not a new issue but it seems to be more troublesome in the last couple years. I asked my mom and she said that she doesn't remember me sweating as a child but it never bother me then.

I do feel like a wimp at times because of this. Sigh. I don't really complain about it. That's why I wound up at the first aid station. If I listened to my body right away, it wouldn't have gotten so bad.

I don't have a problem with my teeth. I was reading a link that one of you fine folks had for me and it mentioned a genetic condition that had problems with sweating and also dental issues. I do have a problem with my nails though which was also in the article. They do not grow normally which is why they are always short. I'm sure it's just a genetic quirk but I'll mention it to my doc.

I'm just going to have to be more aware of this from now on. Luckily we're heading into fall so I'll be saying goodbye to the hot weather for awhile.

Also, to those of you that have kids with this problem. Try not to worry. It's inconvenient at times but it isn't that bad if you take precautions. Besides, everyone's different. Just because *I* didn't grow out of it, doesn't mean someone else will have the same result.

[Heather in the Kootenays]

She has to be careful to keep cool other ways - going into aircon every now and then, splashing water on her face etc.

[melissaL]

there is someone at school when I was there that has this, she has no hair, apparently it goes with the condition

[JudyJudyJudy]

It makes exercising, playing outside with kids on hot days, etc, difficult.
I can totally relate. I went to my nephew's baseball game, and it was over 100° with stifling humidity, yet I didn't sweat. My sister was sweating like crazy, and she couldn't believe that I wasn't sweating. I said, "I know you're going to think I'm exaggerating, but I truly feel like I'm cooking inside." I had to go home at that point.

I can't stick to an exercise program because of this problem. It really is frustrating.


I have a hypothyroid issue but it's fine now with meds.
I am hypothyroid as well. I have Hashimoto's Disease. Even on meds, though, while my "numbers" look good, I still have most of the symptoms of hypothyroidism.


The thyroid was only a problem since last year. I've had the non-sweating issue for years.
I suspect that even if your blood work wasn't yet showing that you were hypothyroid, you were already having some of the symptoms. Most likely you have autoimmune thyroid disease; were you ever tested for that?


Should I call my doc on Monday and ask about it?
I think it's worth a try. However, when I mentioned it to my doctor, he pretty much blew me off. He also ignored my low IgA level as well as some other issues. As long as my thyroid "numbers" look okay, he thinks I'm fine regardless of symptoms. I'm presently looking for a new doctor.


Everyone left the park today because of me. I told them they could stay but my mom was worried about me. I feel like I ruined everyone's day.
I've been there, too, but try not to feel bad about it. If a family member of yours was sick, I'm sure you would accommodate him/her as well.