Hyperhidrosis in babies is when a baby produces more sweat than its required to regulate their body temperature.
Some sweating in babies and newborns is normal, just like everyone else sweats to regulate our body temperature.
But excessive sweating, especially in newborns and babies can be a sign of several underlying health issues or even an inherited trait.
Hyperhidrosis can affect different parts of the baby's body, which include the hands, feet, head and armpits.
Babies and especially newborn babies cannot regulate their body temperature as effectively as adults can so the baby may sweat more frequently than adults, especially when they are overheated or crying.
In hyperhidrosis, babies sweat excessively even when they are not overheated, and it can also be more than what is needed for them to cool down.
Babies can overheat easily, especially in warm environments or when they are overdressed.
And crying or other physical activity can also cause a baby to sweat and medical conditions lke endocrine disorders, infections and even heart defects can cause excessive sweating in babies.
And some babies are also predisposed to sweating more as a result of inherited traits and in premature babies, sleep apnea can cause episodes of excessive sweating.
You should be concerned about the baby sweating when the sweating persists even though they are in fewer layers of clothing or in a cooler environment or if the sweating occurs during feeding or is accompanied by other symptoms like difficulty feeding and rapid breathing or if the sweating is accompanied by other symptoms like poor appetite, breathing difficulties and fever or if the sweating is severe or persistent and causes distress.
Keep your baby in a cool and comfortable environment and keep the baby in breathable clothing or keep the baby in just a diaper when possible.