Salty deposits in or below eyebrows

[zorgkang]

Hello,

I've had this "problem" for a long time.  As the subject says, I often find a salt like powder in and under my eyebrows (not eyes).  It is often pronounced enough that I notice it immediately when glancing at a mirror.

Obviously it is due to sweating in that area but why is there so much sweating going on there specifically?  This happens without doing strenuous exercise by the way, and there is no sweat dripping in my face, but I have noticed that the region gets humid often, while walking for example.  Also, if my sweat is overly salty, how come there are only deposits there?

My first concern is that it doesn't look too good.  But I suppose it might also indicate some underlying salt related problem.  Maybe I'm not evacuating it enough?  I'm pretty sure I don't have too much salt in my diet, I'm probably below average for a North-American.

Finally, I searched on the internet but only found 2 other accounts of this problem, without any useful replies.

Thanks for your input.

[sly194]

I read about the Botox injections to control the sweat glands back when I was diagnosed with the hyperhydrosis.  I considered trying it, too...but the cost was too much for me at the time.  A few years ago my condition went away on its own, thankfully, so I didn't have to resort to that.  According to other people's testimonials, the Botox treatment was very effective for overactive sweat glands, though.

[michl09]

i'm 28 and have had this happen for years.  it never really concerned me though, so i'm surprised to see a lot of people saying it scared or concerned them. don't know why it didn't concern me as much, maybe because i assumed it was sweat related. i just looked it up out of curiosity.  i don't sweat a lot generally, but sometimes i will notice some sweat condensation under my eyebrow.  i assumed the crystals were after it would dry.  it's not excessive, that could be why i didn't worry too.
i'm not on any regular medications and never have been.  i drink a lot of water.  normal thyroid, etc.  all that stuff.  i think it's overactive sweat glands, but of course, that's just my personal guess.

[nita19]

I too have this problem. I'm in my early twenties and have had it for about 4 years now. It's definitely salt and definitely something to do with the fact our eyebrows are there to stop sweat getting into our eyes. I think we have over active glands and the salt is a result of the sweat drying.

My cousin was sweating a lot under her arm pitts and she became part of a trial getting injected with Botox! It is really working for her and I think it could be the answer! The Botox can stop the swear glands from perspiring so much.

If I had the money I'd try it. Worth thinking about anyways and would love to hear if anyone does try it and gets results

[sly194]

I'm surprised, and somewhat relieved, to find so many other people have had this same problem!  I noticed many of you are the same age as me (43) and experience this "salty" residue in the exact same area below the eyebrows.  I also was compelled to taste the substance due to its salt-like texture, and sure enough, mine tasted like salt too.  Also, I've only noticed this appearing in the area of my brows that I pluck -- the part of the brow above the inner corner of my eyes.  Mostly, I just see the salty crystals appear a few hours after I've put on my makeup.  I wipe it off, and occasionally it will come back within a few hours, but usually it does not occur later during the day.  This caused me to wonder initially if it was related to the eye makeup I wear.  I know that many eyeshadows contain fish scales for the shimmer effect.  However, my eyeshadow is worn mainly on my eyelid and not on the portion of skin where I notice the salt.  I then considered the amount of sweating I do since I workout 6 days a week and I sweat ALOT.  Then again, I don't get the saltiness during or after my workouts.

Some of the comments suggest hyperhydrosis.  This might be a possibility as I was diagnosed with hyperhydrosis about 10 years ago.  My only symptom was excessive wetness in the armpits -- no odor, just wetness -- and it would occur even when I was in air-conditioned buildings where I was cold enough to have goose bumps.  Again though, I am puzzled because my hyperhydrosis seems to have gone away on its own 3 or 4 years ago, and the salty eyebrows have only begun occurring in the past year or so.

Since many of us who suffer from this are in our early 40's, I wonder if it could be related to hormonal changes?  

[jphilson]

I developed the salt in eyebrows after I had a hysterectomy. My skin texture changed, I couldnt find any hormone replacements that I could take and then I developed the salt in my eyebrows. I cannot find a doctor that will address this at all. I think it has to do with a chemical imbalance of some kind but I am not sure what.  

[koko456]

thank god! I also have this issue.... and my nose is the exact same, so eyebrows and nose! it is embarrassing to say the least... constantly having to wipe over my nose and eyebrows. I don't sweat anywhere else or sweat at all! it started after I took Accutane.... HELP!??