How to Stop Excessive Scalp Sweating

Everyone sweats throughout the day, and some perspire more than others. But, excessive sweating on the scalp can become a problem. Not only is it embarrassing, but it can lead to foul odors and dirty-looking hair. It may even be a sign of an underlying health problem. Thankfully, there are different ways to stop your scalp from sweating too much. Once you know the cause, you can manage your perspiration better.

Sweating is a good thing when your body is working correctly. It helps us to regulate our internal temperature so that we don’t overheat. Heat is often lost through the head. That’s why when we do sweat, we first tend to notice it on our scalp and forehead.

While sweating is needed to cool down the body naturally, sometimes something can go wrong in the process. When your scalp or face sweats too much, it’s called craniofacial hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis on your scalp can be hard to hide. If it’s occurring on the scalp, it’s likely you’re also experiencing it on your forehead, upper lip, the neck, and more. If sweating too much is starting to become a problem in your life, it’s essential to find out why it’s happening so it can be treated.

What to Do About a Hot Sweaty Scalp

There are many different causes of head sweat. This guide will cover several of the most common reasons. Sometimes, dealing with excessive sweating can be as simple as making a few lifestyle changes. Other times, more direct treatments may be involved.

We’ll also go over what you can do to prevent future embarrassment by managing your hyperhidrosis. No matter how often your scalp sweats or what triggers it, there is a solution for keeping it under control.

What Causes My Scalp to Sweat So Much?

The first part of treating hyperhidrosis is to figure out what’s causing it. When your head sweats too much, there are a few common causes, and things that can trigger those causes.

Sometimes, the underlying cause of scalp sweating could be a certain medication you’re taking. Or, it could be caused by a medical condition, like a thyroid issue. If the excessive sweating is a newer problem that you haven’t noticed before, contact your doctor. You may need to get tested for a thyroid problem or change medications.

Most of the time, though, excessive sweating on the scalp is caused by an issue with your nervous system. It’s called an overactive sympathetic nervous system (Dysautonomia). Unfortunately, the exact cause of this issue isn’t known. But, certain factors can trigger overheating for some people.

The most common triggers include:

• Stress/anxiety
• Anger
• Heat

It’s not always easy to avoid these triggers, but if you know that one, in particular, affects how much you sweat, you can try to manage them better to reduce perspiration.

Scalp Sweating During Exercise

One of the most common associations with head sweat is exercise. It’s normal to sweat when your body is working hard. It protects you from overheating at the gym or while you’re running, etc. But, if you find yourself completely drenched after a good workout, it could be harming your hair and causing dirt and debris to build up on your scalp.

Sweat can dry out your scalp and prevent new hair from growing. The natural salts in sweat can also cause your hair to lose its color quickly.

Knowing how to stop sweating in your hair after a long workout can help to protect your strands and your scalp. There are things you should be doing before, during, and after you exercise to protect both your scalp and your hair:

1. Before working out: Use a leave-in conditioner to protect your strands from sweat. You can also try a deep conditioning treatment the night before. The conditioner will work as a protective barrier between the sweat and your hair and will also help to wick away sweat from your scalp.
2. During your workout: When you’re working out, you should try to wick sweat away from your hair. One way to do this is by wearing a cotton headband that can help to absorb moisture. If you want to pull your hair back, avoid hairstyles that are too tight, like ponytails. It might keep your hair from your face, but it can cause your hair to break and become damaged.
3. After working out: Showering or rinsing out your hair after a workout is imperative. While showering too often can dry out your scalp, at least rinsing your roots after you sweat can keep your scalp and hair healthy. In a pinch, you can use a dry shampoo, such as Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Dry Shampoo. This will help to absorb excess moisture.

When you sweat too much from working out, taking care of it as soon as possible is vital for the health of your hair and scalp. If you let dirt, sweat, and debris build up on your scalp after your workouts, you could clog up your hair follicles. It could even lead to itching and flaking as skin cells start to build up.

Scalp Sweating While Eating Spicy Food

If you’re prone to perspiration, you might find that another trigger is eating spicy food. It’s not uncommon to sweat when you eat something that raises your body temperature. Again, it’s just your body’s way of cooling you off.

Sweating while eating foods that are spicy is normal. But, if you find yourself sweating when you eat mild foods, or may even think about eating, it can be a problem. This is called gustatory sweating. This usually affects the scalp, neck, and face (forehead). It is typically the result of a damaged parotid gland. This is a salivary gland in the cheek. Often, people who experience gustatory sweating might only get it on one side of the head.

If your forehead becomes sweaty after eating a plate of hot wings, it’s your body’s natural way to help you cool off and avoid pain. But, if you find yourself sweating a lot after eating any food, talk to your doctor about gustatory sweating. As of now, only medical treatments are available for this condition.

Scalp Sweating at Night

Some people experience something called night sweats. It’s also referred to as nocturnal hyperhidrosis. The sweat from this issue can occur anywhere on the body. But, it usually affects the neck, shoulders, and head. There are several different possible causes for night sweats, including:

1. Idiopathic hyperhidrosis: This is when your body produces more sweat than it needs to cool off. Unfortunately, there is no known cause for this particular condition. But, it does happen at night, and typically causes excessive sweating on the scalp.
2. Hormonal issues: Changes in hormone levels can cause sweating around the head, especially at night. For example, women who are menopausal might experience ‘hot flashes.’ This is due to rapid changes in their hormones. Men can experience similar hormone fluctuations.
3. Medications: Certain medications can cause night sweats as a side effect. Anti-depressants are commonly linked to this negative symptom. Most people can handle a little excessive sweat. But, if it becomes too uncomfortable, talk with your doctor about changing medications.
4. Medical conditions and infections: There is a long list of possible medical conditions that can lead to night sweats. Everything from a bacterial infection to an abscessed tooth can cause this issue. If none of the other conditions here affect you, you may have an underlying health condition that needs to be looked at.

Though it can feel uncomfortable to sweat from your scalp at night, keep in mind that your body is doing you a favor. You wouldn’t want to overheat during your sleep or run a fever. If you’re still feeling too hot, try using lighter blankets or running a fan in your bedroom while you sleep.

What’s the Best Sweaty Scalp Shampoo?

If your scalp sweats all the time, you probably want to find something that helps your head to feel clean. But, finding a shampoo that can help deal with the sweat issue is also important. Again, too much sweat can build up on your scalp and eventually lead to itching and flaking. It could also damage your hair.

There are two different products to consider when you have an overly-sweaty scalp. The first is a hydrating shampoo. Sweat can dry out your hair and scalp. Finding a shampoo that will protect your strands and keep your hair healthy is a great way to fight against it.

This Pure Tea Tree Oil Hydrating Shampoo  is natural, sulfate free, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. If your scalp is getting itchy when you are hot and sweaty, or if you get some oily smell, this shampoo should take care of all of that.

It’s also a good idea to choose a shampoo with natural ingredients, like Tru Moroccan Repair. Ingredients like Vitamin E and argan oil will help to protect both your hair and scalp from too much sweat. Because it doesn’t contain any chemicals, it won’t dry out your scalp even more or come with other negative symptoms.

The other product many people reach for when they have a sweaty scalp is dry shampoo. It is designed to absorb excess moisture from your hair and scalp. You can apply it directly to your roots and rub it in. It will keep sweat from just ‘sitting’ on top of your scalp, and it will pull it from your hair. One of the best dry shampoos to keep your hair and scalp feeling clean is Dove’s Refresh & Care Dry Shampoo.

Remedies for Excessive Head Sweating

Because a scalp that perspires too much can be embarrassing, it’s no wonder most people want to ‘treat’ it as quickly as possible. Using the right shampoo or dry shampoo can help. But, if you’re looking for natural remedies you can try at home, there are plenty of those to try, too.

Most of these remedies use ingredients you probably already have around your house:

• Dry shampoo alternatives: If you don’t want to use an over-the-counter shampoo, you can try one of many dry shampoo alternatives. Some of the most popular solutions are flour, cornstarch, baking powder and baby powder. You can use any of these just like you would with a typical dry shampoo. Sprinkle a small amount onto your hair and scalp and work into your roots to absorb excess moisture.
• Apple cider vinegar: Not only will apple cider vinegar help the pH balance of your scalp, but it can also help you to stop sweating so much. Try adding a few tablespoons of the vinegar into a cup of warm water and massage it into your scalp. Let the solution soak into your scalp for about 30 minutes before rinsing away. Apple cider vinegar controls the secretion of sweat on your scalp.
• Lemon juice: Though you should never apply pure lemon juice directly to your scalp, you can create a safe and effective solution to stop sweating with it. Lemon juice keeps the secretion of your sweat glands under control. To use it on your scalp, mix one part lemon juice with ten parts water (or coconut water). Massage it into your scalp, then rinse away ten minutes later.

8 Tips for Coping with a Sweaty Scalp

Some people sweat more than others. But, it can become a problem if you find yourself overheating or perspiring so much that it’s embarrassing. So, how can you manage head sweating?

Use these tips to keep your hyperhidrosis under control:

1. Wear cool clothing: Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing or constricting clothing. Wear materials that are breathable. If the rest of your body doesn’t feel too hot, it’s less likely you’ll sweat from your head. Additionally, pay attention to what you wear on your head. Tight-fitting hats or winter caps can trap heat and cause itchiness. Your scalp needs a chance to ‘breathe.’ If it can’t, heat will get trapped inside and cause your sweat glands to go into overdrive.
2. Walk barefoot: You might wonder how your feet can affect your scalp. But, when your feet are cool, it can help to cool down your entire body. Try walking around barefoot at home, especially if your feet often feel hot (or even sweaty!).
3. Manage stress: It’s nearly impossible to avoid getting stressed altogether. But, if stress and anxiety are triggers for your sweaty scalp, do what you can to keep them under control. Try things like meditation or deep breathing. In some cases, you might try taking certain medications that can lower anxiety levels. If your anxiety is affecting your life negatively in other ways, getting it under control is important.
4. Use deodorant: Did you know that you can use a clear antiperspirant on your head the same way you do under your arms? Swipe a stick of deodorant on your forehead if you’re prone to sweating a lot. For best results, do this before bed so that it has a chance to absorb into your skin. It will help to prevent sweating at night and even into the next day.
5. Say no to caffeine: If you’re prone to heavy sweating, avoid foods with a lot of caffeine. This includes things like coffee, soda, tea, and chocolate. They can cause your body to sweat even more.
6. Lose weight: Being overweight can contribute to sweating too much. Starting a healthy diet plan is a great way to shed a few pounds, and you’ll probably notice your sweat glands don’t have to work as hard.
7. Drink more water: Drink as much water as possible throughout the day, aiming for at least eight glasses. Not only will staying hydrated help you to keep cool, but water is needed if you sweat a lot. You can also get a dry scalp due to dehydration. It will help to replenish what your body loses in sweat. That way, you won’t become dehydrated.
8. Avoid smelly foods: If you sweat a lot, try to avoid strong-smelling foods like onion and garlic. Avoiding these foods won’t help you to sweat less. But, the smell will come out through your pores, and it can be embarrassing. Certain foods like this can make your perspiration problem more noticeable.

Understanding Hyperhidrosis

People sweat for different reasons, and some do more than others. But, if it becomes so much of a problem that it’s affecting your comfort or it becomes embarrassing, you might have hyperhidrosis. When your scalp sweats too much, it can eventually lead to more significant problems. Aside from embarrassment, a sweaty scalp can clog your pores and affect your hair follicles.

It doesn’t matter what triggers your sweat glands into overdrive. For some people, it’s exercise. For others, certain foods are the culprit. Some people can even sweat from their scalp by doing everyday activities.

The good news is there are things you can do to manage this condition, and even reduce how much you sweat from your scalp. If you have an underlying health condition causing the problem, talk to your doctor about a solution. If specific factors are causing you to sweat, you should use the above tips control your perspiration.