Sweating, absent

Alternative names:

anhidrosis; decreased sweating

Home care:

If there is a danger of overheating, take a cold shower or sit in a cool bathtub and drink plenty of fluids. Remain in a cool environment. Move slowly during hot weather. Avoid heavy exercise and hot foods.

Call your health care provider if:

• there is generalized lack of sweating (home care should be used while waiting to see the doctor).
• there is any abnormal lack of sweating when exposed to heat or strenuous exercise.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. In emergencies (where rapid cooling measures and fluid replacement will be initiated) the patient will be stabilized first.

Medical history questions documenting absent sweating in detail may include:

• time pattern
  • When did this begin?
  • Has it been present since infancy or childhood?

• location
  • Is it only on one side of the forehead?
  • Is it on the whole body?

• other
  • What other symptoms are also present?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• drugs administered to stimulate sweating
• topical substance applied to the skin
• the person may be placed in a sweat box for observation
• the person may be wrapped in an electric blanket to observe sweat patterns

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to absent sweating to your personal medical record.