Excessive Sweating

April · March 2019

My son, who is 27, has always had trouble maintaining body temperature, but now he is sweating so much that his clothes are getting drenched. Is this common in cerebral palsy? It generally happens when he is excited/nervous/or just using a lot of energy. Is there anything I can give him to help the situation. I am changing him twice or three times a day to keep him dry and hygienic, and this is exhausting.

Richard_Scope · March 2019

Hi @April
Good to meet you and thank you for your post. As you know people with Cerebral Palsy use a lot more energy to move and perform tasks than people who do not live with the impairment. That being said, excessive sweating is not commonly associated with CP. I am not medically trained so I would recommend that you speak to your G.P. about something called hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating).

Let me know how you get on

April · March 2019

Thanks Richard. I'll make an appointment with the GP for him.

niceboots · March 2019

Hi I’m in my early 30s and have relatively mild cp. I’m quite often warm, and when walking I get really hot and sweat like I’ve been doing an hour in the gym, even when just walking on level ground. I have always put it down to the amount of effort I use to move.
As Richard has said, definitely get it checked by a gp.

April · March 2019

niceboots said:

Hi I’m in my early 30s and have relatively mild cp. I’m quite often warm, and when walking I get really hot and sweat like I’ve been doing an hour in the gym, even when just walking on level ground. I have always put it down to the amount of effort I use to move.
As Richard has said, definitely get it checked by a gp.

That's interesting. I wondered if it was related to effort. Thanks for replying.

Sam_Alumni · March 2019

Hi @April
As others have said, you should speak to your GP. I was just wondering if he was on any new medication? As sweating can sometimes be a side effect.

April · March 2019

Sam_Scope said:

Hi @April
As others have said, you should speak to your GP. I was just wondering if he was on any new medication? As sweating can sometimes be a side effect.

No he isn't on any new medication, but thank you for your reply Sam. I will definitely take him to the GP. Thanks.

Adeline01 · August 4

My son sits in a moulded, cushioned wheelchair with a sling permanently in place. This year, and even before the heatwaves, he developed a terrible rash on his back, requiring several GP visits and trials of lotions & potions to cure it. Medical professionals decided it was caused by sweating but didn’t really offer a solution. Has anyone successfully used any cooling pads between the wheelchair backrest and their back? Wheelchair clinic advised using nothing, because it would interfere with the moulded backrest. I can’t let this continue as his skin really can’t take much more.

Richard_Scope · August 4

Hi @Adeline01

The heatwaves are not pleasant for a wheelchair user.

Cooling pads may alter your son's sitting position and lead to long-term problems, especially if the seat was designed to help with scoliosis.

Make sure, as I'm sure you do, that your son wears breathable materials like cotton. Always make sure the area is as clean and dry as reasonably possible. Slightly altering his position might help too, as long as it does not cause discomfort.

A really good cream to combat sweat rash is Sudocrem Gold. And Freshwipes are great at keeping the area clean and comfortable.

Adeline01 · August 7

Thank you, Richard, that’s sensible advice. Our nurse also suggested cotton clothing but whatever he wears, including sports fabrics that should wick away sweat, could be wrung out as everything gets so wet. Pardon me for saying, but the sweat has nowhere to go and there’s no breathing space in between layers. Could do with a “spacer” of some sort between his back/the sling/&the velour covered backrest. Just how to do that, though, is an impossible consideration.
Your tip about the Sudocrem Gold is a good one 👍 and I’ll suggest that the carers try using wipes down his back! Thanks again.

Rag_793 · August 7

I have Spastic Cerebral Palsy, for quite awhile now I too have had issues with excessive sweating. I can have a shower and then when I have dried off I have sweated loads. When I go out I have to take a spare t-shirt, as I sweat that much it is soaked through. I am embarrassed about it and can avoid going out due to this. I have spoken to my GP about this issue, I have had both a blood test and also a chest x-ray done and awaiting the results. I have asked to be tested for Diabetes & Thyroid due to family history. My GP recommended using an Antiperspirant with active 20% aluminium chloride hexahydrate. My GP said to apply at night, then wash off in the morning and you can use normal antiperspirant during the day. It was recommended to me to purchase a brand called Driclor, it is around £8 for a 20ml and £11 for a 75ml. I have been using it for over a week and it has been working well. Driclor is a medical-grade, extra-strength antiperspirant, which would explain the cost.

I have also switched from normal Antiperspirant that contains aluminium salts that block sweat glands as it doesn’t work for me with me sweating more water than Niagra Falls 🥵

I have switched to Fussy Deodorant which is all natural ingredients. It is also kind for the environment as you can compost the cartridge after use, you can order a new cartridge and place it inside your case. It lasts four to eight weeks with 24 hour protection.

Excessive Sweating

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