
Excessive head sweating in children may be just a part of growing up, or may be the symptom of an underlying problem. This HealthHearty article provides information about the various causes and treatment options available for this condition.
Children are more prone to excessive sweating due to their high energy levels, and the fact that they are physically active most of the time. While this may not be true for kids who lead a sedentary lifestyle, there are still some who are active most of the time and sweat a lot. However, there may be times when your child is sweating excessively in areas such as the scalp and neck, even when inactive. This may be due to a condition known as hyperhidrosis, which literally stands for excessive sweating.
Causes
Usually older children and teenagers face the problem of excessive sweating in head. However, adolescents who have attained puberty may also face this problem. This condition may also be accompanied by sweaty palms and feet, and one may also experience this around the armpits.
Some of the causes of this condition are:
- If excessive head sweating occurs at the onset of puberty, it may be considered as one of the effects of changing hormone levels in the body.
- This condition may be a symptom of the development of hyperthyroidism in children. It may also be accompanied by other effects such as fatigue, an irritable behavior, and restlessness.
- Excessive sweating in the head may be a symptom of a health condition such as diabetes. However, the onset of diabetes is marked by other symptoms too, mainly excessive thirst, fatigue, frequent urination, and excessive hunger.
- The problem of sweating while sleeping in children may signify a heart problem. This is a rare occurrence, but may be a cause nonetheless. A heart problem will be accompanied by other symptoms such as heavy breathing, excessive weight loss, and coughing. Experts suggest that sweating at night in children is a cause for concern and should be reported to the doctor immediately.
The best way to find out the exact cause of this condition is to consult a pediatrician or a doctor. As soon as you notice this sweating disorder you must report it to your doctor. The doctor may run a series of tests (mainly to check the function of the endocrine gland) to find out the exact cause of the condition.
Solutions
The treatment may include the use of heavy antiperspirants meant particularly for the scalp and neck. However, these are known to cause certain side effects such as dry skin, and therefore should only be used after the consultation of a doctor. Botox injections and other surgical procedures may be used to correct this problem, but are usually avoided in case of young adults. These are used only when there is no other solution left to this problem. While the doctor may suggest various treatment methods, there are certain measures that you may take to prevent the condition.
These measures may reduce the impact or intensity of this condition. These are:
- The condition may be triggered by certain foods that your child is eating, therefore maintain a food diary to find out the exact cause (food item). After the trigger factor has been identified, avoid giving that food to your child.
- Keep the hair short, and avoid the use of hats and other headgear if your child is experiencing excessive sweating in the head. In addition to these measures, having her/him wear light fabrics will help reduce the intensity of the condition.
- Maintain personal hygiene, and make sure she/he washes hair and dries them thoroughly.
- Apart from this, you may enroll your child in a yoga class that will teach her/him to relax. Some breathing techniques may also be taught to the child to help reduce the condition of excessive sweating.
There are also several herbal remedies available for excessive sweating in the head. However, these should be used only after consulting a qualified herbalist. As aforementioned, even if the cause of these sweating problems is not grave, it should be reported to a doctor immediately to prevent it from worsening. Also, do not overlook such conditions, though they may be a part of growing up, but may also be indicative of certain health condition.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of a medical expert.