An abnormal lack of sweat in response to heat may be harmful, because sweating allows heat to be released from the body. The medical term for absent sweating is anhidrosis.

Decreased sweating; Anhidrosis

Anhidrosis sometimes goes unrecognized until a substantial amount of heat or exertion fails to cause sweating.

Overall lack of sweating can be life threatening because the body will overheat. If the lack of sweating happens in a small area only, it is usually not as dangerous.

• Burns
• Certain genetic syndromes
• Certain nerve problems (neuropathies)
• Congenital disorders including as ectodermal dysplasia
• Dehydration
• Neurologic disorders such as Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Skin diseases that block sweat glands
• Trauma to sweat glands
• Use of certain drugs

Images

Skin layers

Review Date: 04/10/2009
Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)