Excessive Head Sweating in Children

Children are prone to excessive sweating due to their high energy levels, and the fact that they are overactive most of the time. While this may not be true for kids who lead a sedentary lifestyle, there are still some who are active on a regular basis and are sweating. 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, literally translated into excessive sweating.

Causes

Usually older children and teenagers face the problem of excessive head sweating. Adolescents who attain puberty may also face this problem. Excessive head sweating may also be accompanied by sweaty palms and feet, and one may experience this around the armpits too. Some causes of this condition have been enlisted here.

• If excessive head sweating occurs at the onset of puberty, it may be considered as one of the effects of changing hormones in the body.
• This condition may be a symptom of the development of hyperthyroidism in children. This condition will be marked by other effects such as fatigue and an irritable behavior. Hyperthyroidism along with hyperhidrosis may also be marked by restlessness.
• Excessive sweating 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 situation but may be a cause nonetheless. Again, a heart problem will be accompanied by other symptoms such as heavy breathing, excessive weight loss, and coughing. Experts suggest that night sweats in children is a cause for concern and should be reported to the doctor immediately.

There may be several other causes of excessive head sweating, and the best way to find out the exact cause is to consult a pediatrician or doctor. In fact, you must not wait until the condition worsens. As soon as you notice this sweating disorder you must report it to your doctor. The doctor may run your child through a series of tests (mainly to check the function of the endocrine gland) to find out what exactly the cause for the condition is. Once found, an appropriate solution will be determined for the problem.

Solutions

Only a doctor will suggest the right kind of treatment for the problem. This 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 should be used only as directed by the doctor. Botox injections and other surgical procedures may be used to correct this problem, but are usually avoided in case of young adults. They may be used when there is no other solution left to this problem. While the doctor may suggest various treatment methods, there are certain other measures that tell you how to stop excessive sweating. You can have your child follow these measures to reduce the impact or intensity of this condition. There are simple solutions that have been provided here.

• There may be certain foods that your child is eating that may trigger this condition. Maintain a food diary to see if the bout of excessive head sweating is triggered by any particular food. Avoid the food when you find out what it is.
• Keep the hair short and avoid the use of hats and other headgear if your child suffers from excessive head sweating. In addition to these measures, having her/him wear light fabrics will help reduce the intensity of the condition.
• Have your child maintain personal hygiene through the day. If she/he washes hair, have it dried thoroughly.
• Enroll your child in a yoga class for kids that will teach her/him to relax, and also teach some breathing techniques that are known to help reduce the condition of excessive sweating.

There are also several herbal remedies available for excessive head sweating in children. However, these should be used only after consulting a qualified herbalist. As mentioned earlier, even if the cause of these sweating problems is not grave, it should be reported to a doctor immediately to prevent it from worsening in the future. Do not overlook such conditions. At the maximum, it may just be something that is a part of growing up, and there may be nothing to worry about.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of a medical expert.