lack of sweating

I stopped sweating even during heavy work  I am 41 . I drink alot of  water. I used to sweat (one month back) alot all over body with little workout . Now after 20 minutes of excercise my face  pain gets hot. I noticed also, my urine is foamy, all blood and urine test are normal. should I worry please help

[JainMD]

Hi,
I think you are describing anhidrosis of recent origin. This could be due to under-activity of sympathetic nervous system.
What medications are you on?
Are you diabetic? Some neurologic disorders like Guillain-Barre syndrome can cause this.
There is treatment available for anhidrosis like if any medications are implicated, taking that medication off would help.
If any fungal sepsis of sweat gland is suspected, giving anti-fungal will help.
You should consider a visit to physician for evaluation and further line of management.
I would be interested to know the progress of disease pathology.
Keep me informed.
Bye.

[maakhalaf]

Hi,
I have done all sorts of blood tests as well as urine tests all showed negetive, and I am not under any medication, I am in fact very fit and play squash professionally, my physician failed to find any problems with me this why I am seeking help here.

[JainMD]

Hi,
How are you feeling?
I would like to know what al investigations have been done till now.
Can you list them?
There are different causes for that including endocrine, neurological and general disorder including dehydration.
Keep me informed.
Bye.

[maakhalaf]

Hi

I will get all the tests done and I will paste them here, I also noticed now when I workout, I get sort of puffness in the face and rests like the sweat is trapped and unable to come out

[maakhalaf]

Hi,
the following tests were done
1-Urinalysis, Routine
2-Routine Kidney Function Blood Test
3-Blood Glucose
4-liver function blood test
5-Thyroid Function Tests
6-Blood cholesterol level
7-Full blood count

Which showed normal range, this problem is strarting to effect my mood.

[JainMD]

Hi,
Your blood investigations results shows that routine causes of anhidrosis have been ruled out like chronic kidney disease, diabetes, liver disorders, thyroid dysfunction and sepsis.
Have you seen any neurologist or dermatologist so far?
There are other causes of lack of sweating which can be ruled out with help of dermatologist like senile skin, radio dermatitis,  acrodermatitis chronica atrophica, scleroderma, lichen sclerosis, and miliria.
There are other lesion which can be ruled out with help of neurologist are spinal cord lesions, sympathectomy, peripheral neuropathy, and brainstem, pontine or medulla tumors.
I think you need to consult a dermatologist and neurologist at earliest and decide regarding further management.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[maakhalaf]

Hi
I have seen a dermatologist, according to her my condition could be as a result of anxiety, and gave me anxiety tablets, which I never used since I am not convenced that what I have is due to anxiety.
I also visited another dematologist that I have seen in 1995 I had Eczema, according to him eczema appeared again, but it has nothing to do with lack of sweating, no test were carried out.

[JainMD]

Hi,
I think you know that it is not an ordinary condition and would require multi-specialty reference before we come to a conclusion.
We have ruled out some common condition with help of investigations done earlier.
There are still some investigations pending which will require multi-specialty references.
Your symptoms can also be due to autonomic nervous system dysfunction, hence you should be consulting a neurologist at earliest and decide regarding further management.
Good luck.
Bye.

[maakhalaf]

I have 100% match with Milira symptoms and causes, I checked on the net and found this problem should clear in 5-6 weeks, which in my case about to reach, what type of tests should I do now to confirm.

[JainMD]

Hi,
Disorder of the eccrine sweat glands often occurring in conditions of increased heat and humidity, caused by blockage of the sweat ducts those results in the leakage of eccrine sweat into skin.
It can occur due to occlusion of the skin, due to clothing or bandages, resulting in pooling of sweat on the skin surface and over-hydration of the stratum corneum.
There are no investigations to confirm the diagnosis, but you should visit a dermatologist to differentiate whether it is Miliaria crystallina or Miliaria rubra or Miliaria profunda.
The treatment for all these is different.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[maakhalaf]

Hi,
Consulting the dermatologist it is Miliaria profunda, what sort of treatment should I get, shall I stop workout in the Gym and squash.

[JainMD]

Hi,
How are you feeling?
If it is Miliria Profunda then the treatment modality should be removal of occlusive clothing like not to wear clothing which should occlude your skin.
Activity should be activity like stop going to gym and playing squash. Try to be in air conditioning environment.
Apply anhydrous lanolin lotion applied 2–3 times daily and before activity that may produce excess sweating.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Which part of the world do you belong to?
Bye.

[maakhalaf]

Hi,
Thanks for the Help, I am form Bahrain this is a tiny island in Arabian Gulf not far from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, it gets very hot in summer and very humid, in fact my problem strated when Gym A/C system failed this summer.

What is the brand name of anhydrous lanolin lotion

[JainMD]

Hi,
So you are from Bahrain.
How do you feel after you have got your diagnosis on web?
I would like to know what all brands are available.
I know about Bahrain as I am from India, though I have never visited.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[maakhalaf]

Hi,
I feel much better , got the lotion, how long this lack of sweating will continue with me ?

[JainMD]

Hi,
It will last only till the time the stimulus for disease exists. Once you have started taking the treatment and you are always in A/C environment, then it is likely that your would find changes as early as noticeable.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[frank101]

I googled about my conditon and I ran into this forum. You guys this topic is right on target with what i have. well sort of, I dont have milaria. but I have soemthing wrong with my autonomic nervous sytem.. very little sweating and heat/excersice intolorence,  very slow digestion(i get easily full with a small meal, i find it very difficult to even cry overflow of tears. everything that has to do with autonomic function is at a lower scale now.I used to do intense excersices where i would nearly pass out and I recall I had monents of heat stress and 1 heat stroke 2 summers ago. I saw a doctor an year ago and had a full blod count test but nothing was found. If i have a neurological problem will I have to ask for an xray test of some sort? please help me out. I would appreciate it thanks.
frank

[JainMD]

Hi Frank,
How are you feeling?
You are not supposed to do an x-ray if you have neurological problem. You should be seeing a neurologist and get yourself examined for any possible neurological issue.
After examination you can plan for the type of imaging study needed and time of imaging study.
There are other investigations too which might be needed for further evaluation.
I think you should be seeking an appointment with a neurologist and discuss regarding further management.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[frank101]

i have the same problem but no1 wants to help

[JainMD]

Hi,
You have mentioned that you have the same problem but nobody wants to help, which are you talking about?
Have you met neurologist yet?
What investigations you have done so far?
Keep me informed.
Good Luck.
Bye.

[amyinmichigan]

Great to find this post!  I need to lose abnout 50 pounds after a rough couple years of thyroid problems and finding the right med and dosage.  I have been going to the gym and working out 5-6 times a week for about 80-90 minutes.  I can work out on the elepticle (or any cardio machine) for 45 minutes maintaining a 160 heart rate the whole time and only have my face sweating a little bit, my girlfriend next to me isn't working as hard and for the same amount of time and her shirt is soaked with sweat.  Could this have to do with my thyroid?  I take Armour 125, Phentermine, Muti Vit, Folic Acid and Kelp.  I am a 33 year old female in otherwise great health.  I am even increasing my workout because It is becoming "too doable".  Could this be my thryroid not being at my needed level?  Last 2 checks it was 1.6 and last 1.8, I get it checked next week which will be my first switching to the Armour 3 months ago.  I really am feeling way better than I have in the last couple years!  Strangely, i just want to sweat so I look like I am working as hard as everyone else at the gym!-------AJ

[JainMD]

Hi Amy,
Let us do first do what normally is required of us to do in gym, like if you are working out you should be taking enough water to sweat.
You should be working out in a way that your BMR is maximum during the work out.
Like dehydration, heatstroke can occur when you work or exercise strenuously in hot weather and don’t drink enough to replace the fluids you’ve lost.
Older adults, people who are obese are susceptible for heatstroke. Heatstroke is particularly serious because your body’s normal mechanisms for dealing with heat stress, such as sweating, are lost. The main heatstroke signs are a high body temperature — generally greater than 104 F — with hot, dry skin and confusion or even coma.
I would like to check your thyroid status again as hypothyroid to some extent can cause decrease sweating.
If the levels are found low then you can increase your thyroid medication.
Hope this helps.
Bye.

[amyinmichigan]

My fluid intake is great...I always take a water bottle to the gym with me and drink probably about a quart or so during my workout and another 3 quarts or so at home.  After getting done with my workout today I noticed that my torso was almost cold to the touch.  My armpits were almost a hair damp and that was it.  After 10 minutes I could have went back and did another hour of cardio.  I have had mild heatstroke before (I don't like the heat/don't tolerate it well, which I have always attributed to living in the mountains for the first 23 years of my life where is is cooler) and am really good about watching for those symptoms.  And the people at my fitness club are great and keep an eye on everyone so if anything happened I would be in great hands.  Could this be a "normal" thing? According to my trainer I only need to lose 30 pounds.  (I have 135 pounds of good lean muscle) so I don't really consider myself obese, just over-weight.  Is/can some time in the sauna be beneficial to me?  Thanks for sharing your knowledge and time!

[JainMD]

Hi,
You can try out sauna bath and see if it is beneficial. It can be risky also as this would increase the heat in your body too much.
If the symptoms does not improve make sure you are in air-conditioning environment most of the time.
Do not wear tight clothing’s and as you have mentioned that you are from mountains then you would probably be more heat intolerant.
Keep me posted with your thoughts Amy.
Bye.

[amyinmichigan]

Just got my TSH back...it is .04!  I almost have a hard time believing that due to my persistant symptoms and the lack of sweating/body heat regulation.  Hmmm.  Now what?  My Dr. will usually do as I ask if I am very firm, but he definetly isn't going to offer up any testing or anything.  He suggested I see his PA and maybe get a water pill to help with water retention.  Well heck, I wouldn't need that if I could sweat  like a normal person!   Any OTC herbs or supplements that tend to induce sweating?  I have been spending time in the sauna after my workouts and found I feel alot better for the rest of the day.  After about 1/2 hr  in the sauna on max, (which is all I can handle) I do come out about 1 pound less.  (yes, I always have someone with me)
Thanks again for your time.....Amy

[amyinmichigan]

I started taking a B vit supp along with my reg multi-vit.  I read somewhere it may help.  (it wasn't just about the Niacin either) and it seems to have actually helped a little.  Not enough to put me even close to even with the others at the gym, but more than before.  
Is is normal to have a cold body after working out?   I mean nearly my whole body id very cold to the touch after working out.  Like I have been out lolly-gaggingin a snow bank.  I understand that I can't sweat when I feel so darn cold.  But after 10 minutes in the sauna i am no longer cold to the touch and I get the sweat rolling on my torso and face (legs and arms take a good bit longer).  I feel exhausted, but so much better after i get a good sweat out!  i haven't been back to my Dr., since he told the nurse my body temp issues and water retension are in no way thyroid related.  As i understand, those are 2 issues that should red flags to investigate further on thyroid stuff.   I am looking for a new Dr. who is willing to treat ME and not the piece of paper from the lab, just haven't found one yet who is an MD or/ DO and prefers (or at least happily accepts)  a homeopathic/natural method instead of straight to making me support the big drug companies.   Amy

[maakhalaf]

Hi,
Sweating is slowly coming back, now little but increasing day by day

Thaks Jaim MD

Regards

[EvanP05]

Hello,

My brother was recently diagnosed with Miliaria Profunda.  He is a very active person and now has to limit his activity because he overheats.  I developed it when he was living in St. Thomas.  He now lives in California.  I experienced his condition first hand this Thanksgiving when we ran a 10k together.  Toward the end he had to stop at every possible water station and shower to wet himself down and cool off.

Now I’ve read a lot about this and it seems there is no “cure”.  Please correct me if I’m wrong but the only way to get rid of Miliaria Profunda is to not sweat for 5-6 weeks and let the blockage clear.  Is this correct?  Are there any skin treatments (skin peels, exfoiliating, etc.) that would help?

I just think it’s outrageous that his doctor just told him not to be active and sweat.  My brother is only 29!  Is he to spend the rest of his live indoors watching TV!  

If there is anyone that has had Miliaria Profunda and “cured” it please let me know what you did and how you are doing now (has it returned?).

Thanks.

[maakhalaf]

HI,
I had this Miliaria Profunda same time last year, Iam very active person, it is harmless, the only thing that your borther should avoid is sweating, in my case it took almost 5 months to recover.

my regards

[diso12]

Why hello there, I am the brother of the guy you are talking to, the one with miliaria profunda.  This information puts me in quite a predicament, I am a personal trainer, I rock climb, surf, run and live in southern California.  The idea of just not doing anything that will make me sweat for 5 months seems like an impossibility. So I have two questions for you, first, since you lived in Bahrain, you must have been exposed to the heat and situations where your body wanted to sweat, correct?  Also, after applying the anhydrous lanolin for 5 months, 2-3 times daily, do you have any suggestions on how to apply it and how to avoid the smell?  The lanolin I have is incredibly thick and impossible to apply, maybe you had a different one? or diluted it somehow?  Being a hairy dude, the lanolin I have presents me with a problem :)  

My thoughts are that I will still live my active lifestyle but be diligent with the application of the lanolin and in between my active moments do all that I can to maintain a low body temperature and high outside temperatures.  I know you are not a doctor, but what do you think?  Did you still play squash every now and then?

I must also note that my active lifestyle is severely limited due to this condition and it has been very serious when I am careless.  I cannot do anything in the middle of the day, or in direct sunlight, it is a constant drag when I am with groups or being active outdoors for extended periods of time.  I cannot exercise in the middle of the day and I even have occurrences while I work at my restaurant.  While I workout, my girlfriend will spray me with a water bottle...no joke!  Anyway, I hope to hear from you soon!  Thanks in advance for any advice you may have!

[maakhalaf]

Hi,
Let me first explain about miliaria profunda, which means that sweat ducts are blocked, so when exposed to heat or do heavy exercise like squash, your body actually sweats but the sweat cant leave your body, personally when I exercised or were exposed to heat my skin becomes swollen ( puffness)  because of the sweat that accumulates below my skin and unable to go out due to blocked ducts.

The lanolin I used was made by British company called Bell, only twice I used and was not effective in my case.
Personally I did not stop exercise or squash but I had to take a shower every 15 minutes during my workout.

Please don’t hesitate if need more info.

Regards

[diso12]

Thanks for the response, I know all about it, because I have been dealing with it for years now.  My question is whether or not you 'cured' yourself, and if so, how did you do it?  As far as my dermatologist told me, I could live a more comfortable life living in a more moderate climate and not exercising too vigorously, and that someday I would stop having symptoms the same way they just appeared one day.  Therefore, I just go on living with it, trying to avoid the outbreaks, but still not living life to its fullest :(

Please help!

[maakhalaf]

Hi,
How long have you been having this symptoms, according to dermatologists in 5-6 week you should be cured, it doesn’t last for years, any way I am fully cured now, its very complex how I did it, it sort of herbal and the ingredients maybe  very to find in the USA.

[diso12]

I thought I posted a response already, but just in case, here it is again:

I have had this for about 5 years now, it has been verified by two dermatologists and everything I have read seems to agree that is what it is.  Maybe I have a severe case, but there does not seem to be any suggestions out there for me, so please tell me what you did for yourself!  I would greatly appreciate it!  And I live in LA, so I should have access to any weird and exotic medical/herbal goodies!  Thanks.