Diabetes can affect how the body manages temperature and may cause some people to sweat more or less. This can include night sweats, sweating while eating, or sweating when it’s cool.

Diabetes can potentially cause excessive sweating related to:

  • hormonal imbalances
  • stress
  • nerve damage
  • cardiovascular issues

Treatment for diabetes sweating depends on your type of sweating and what’s causing it. A doctor can recommend the best treatment to help relieve excessive sweating.

Also, since profuse sweating can indicate other more serious conditions, it’s best to talk with a doctor to determine the underlying cause.

Keep reading to learn about the different types of sweating conditions related to diabetes and how doctors manage them.

Hyperhidrosis is a term for excessive sweating that isn’t always caused by exercise or warm temperatures. Doctors use primary hyperhidrosis to describe excessive sweating with no known underlying cause.

It may cause sweating in circumstances:

  • when you aren’t doing physical activity
  • in a cool environment
  • when you’re cold and wearing extra clothing or warming yourself at a heat source
  • when you’re feeling stressed
  • when you’re sleeping

Secondary hyperhidrosis, or diaphoresis, is the term for excessive sweating that is a symptom or side effect of another condition, such as diabetes. Secondary hyperhidrosis can result from:

Autonomic neuropathy

Diabetes can cause neuropathy, or nerve damage, when blood sugar levels or blood triglycerides are too high. This can happen if diabetes is not treated or if the treatment plan doesn’t adequately manage your blood sugar levels. Some people may also have genes that make neuropathy more likely.

Autonomic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that disrupts communication between the autonomic nervous system and the brain. It can affect different bodily functions, depending on the nerves affected, and can result in issues like:

  • excessive sweating
  • bladder control issues
  • blood pressure or heart rate changes

Medication side effects

Excessive sweating can be a side effect of various medications, including some for diabetes. These may include:

  • glipizide
  • insulin

Excessive sweating may also result from other medications you may be taking, including those for treating:

  • thyroid conditions
  • mental health conditions
  • pain
  • bacterial infections

Night sweats often result from low blood glucose or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood sugar is less than 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

It tends to be more likely in people taking insulin or diabetes medications known as sulfonylureas. When your blood glucose drops too low, you produce excess adrenaline, which causes sweating.

This sweating may be so intense that it wets your pajamas or bedsheets.

Once your blood glucose returns to normal, the sweating should stop. Night sweats can have causes unrelated to diabetes, too, such as menopause.

Other factors can also contribute to night sweats. These can include:

  • exercising too close to bedtime
  • certain types of insulin taken in the evening
  • drinking alcohol in the evening

Gustatory sweating, also known as Frey syndrome, is sweating while eating, immediately after eating, or when thinking about eating. You may experience it in specific areas of the body, such as:

  • both sides of the face
  • temples
  • forehead
  • cheeks
  • neck
  • chest
  • around your lips

While it’s common to break a sweat while eating spicy food, certain conditions increase this reaction and cause it to happen when eating any food. This can include autonomic neuropathy related to diabetes.

People with diabetic autonomic neuropathy or kidney damage from diabetes, known as diabetic nephropathy, are more likely to experience gustatory sweating than those without these conditions.

Depending on the cause, treating excessive sweating from diabetes may involve taking new medications or making changes to your existing medications.

If your current treatment plan for diabetes is not adequately managing your blood sugar levels, a doctor may recommend changes.

Medications

Medications for excessive sweating can have side effects, some of which may be serious. A doctor can discuss your options for treating excessive sweating with medication, which may include:

Excessive sweating usually requires medication. These may have side effects and varying levels of effectiveness. Most are topical or pills, but Botox (botulinum toxin injection) is often used.

Procedures

  • sweat gland removal, for issues in armpits only
  • iontophoresis, treatment with an electrical current
  • nerve surgery, only if other treatment has not helped

Lifestyle changes

  • wearing clothing (including socks) made of natural materials
  • bathing daily and using antiperspirant
  • applying an astringent to the area
  • changing socks often and keeping your feet dry
  • choosing clothes that match your activity
  • relaxation techniques to reduce stress-related sweating

Blood glucose management

Improved blood glucose management may help manage night sweats caused by low blood glucose.

Sometimes, adjusting your exercise time or eating a snack before bed can help. Your doctor can help you alter your diet, exercise, or medications to reduce or eliminate night sweats.

If you have diabetes and are experiencing excessive sweating, it’s best to talk with your doctor if:

  • excessive sweating is interrupting your daily routine
  • sweating is causing you emotional or social distress
  • you suddenly begin to sweat more than usual
  • you experience night sweats for no apparent reason

Excessive sweating can be an indicator of more serious issues, such as:

You should see your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms in addition to excessive sweating. These may be symptoms of something more serious:

  • temperature of 104°F or higher
  • chills
  • chest pain
  • lightheadedness
  • nausea
  • unintentional weight loss

Your doctor may make a diagnosis based on your history and a physical exam. Diagnosing may also require applying substances to the skin to make small amounts of sweat appear or tests to detect other disorders.

While excessive sweating can occur in anyone, some causes are directly related to diabetes. It’s important to see a doctor and find the underlying cause.

People who sweat profusely are more prone to skin infections and can experience emotional and social distress from embarrassment.

Excessive sweating may be a symptom of a more serious health condition. If you’re having problems with abnormal sweating, talk with your doctor. Several medications and combination treatments are available and can help manage excessive sweating.