Craniofacial Hyperhidrosis

The forehead and scalp carry many eccrine glands, so sweating here can appear quickly with heat, exertion, or stress. Because the face is exposed, this form can feel particularly conspicuous during meetings, meals, or social situations. It sometimes overlaps with sweating triggered by food or with flushing of the face. The head's rich blood supply and gland density make it react fast to warmth and emotion alike. Sweat running from the hairline or brow is difficult to hide, unlike sweating under clothing. Sweating on the head that is sudden or one-sided, or paired with other symptoms, is worth discussing with a clinician. The name combines roots for the skull and the face. Unlike underarm sweat hidden by a shirt, facial sweat is in plain view. This visibility is a large part of why the form draws so much attention socially.

Beads forming on the forehead and scalp during a calm indoor conversation describe craniofacial sweating rather than overheating. Someone eating a warm meal might feel their face and hairline dampen. This shows how the area can respond to food and heat in ways that are hard to conceal. Sweat dripping from the brow during a work presentation, with no physical exertion, is another familiar example.

It is a focal hyperhidrosis of the craniofacial region and can overlap with gustatory sweating and flushing.