I sweat only on one side

When in the sun or working hard I only sweat on one side of my head...it can be soaking wet and the only side completely dry. Also, you can draw a line down my face....one side is red and the other side is normal.
What is going on...is this something to be concerned about?
Thanks, RockhoundIM


This discussion is related to Sweating On One Side.

[Heiferly]

Look up Harlequin Syndrome; it is often benign, but a neurological workup can put your fears to rest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlequin_syndrome
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Neurology/Harlequin-syndrom/show/893809
http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/Disease.aspx?diseaseID=8610
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/357/20/e22
http://www.nature.com/nrneurol/journal/v1/n1/full/ncpneuro0040.html
http://jnnp.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/51/5/635

You may want to ask about it on the Neurology Expert Forum (link in the right column of this page, third box from the bottom under "related expert forums) to get more information from an expert from the Cleveland Clinic.  

You're also welcome to hop over to the dysautonomia community; I think there is autonomic involvement in this condition.  We've had a few people with it stop by our forum in the past; I'm not sure if any are around now or not but either way we can try to find you more information.  

Best wishes,
heiferly.

[Dr Rajgopal]

Hi,
Sweating is a thermoregulatory function of the brain to control the body  temperature
The cause of your symptoms is a pathology in brain on the opposite side of excessive sweating . There no sweating on the side of pathology . So to compensate and release the sweat and regulate the body temperature , there is excessive sweating on the opposite side .It may be Harlequin or Horner’s syndrome . Please go for an MRI of brain with contrast and consult a neurologist for diagnosis . Hope this helps you . Take care and regards !

[arbormom]

I have the exact same problem, I sweat on the right side of my face only when I exercise.  It is very embarrassing and I do not like to exercise in public because of this.  I am having a hard time getting my primary care physician to take me seriously.  I don't want to be a hypochondriac but really think it should be worked up.  I tried calling a neurology office and explaining my problem and she put me on hold forever and came back and said I needed to see a dermatologist.  I'm very frustrated.