Reference
Hypohidrosis
Hypohidrosis is reduced sweating compared with what is typical, meaning the body sweats less than it normally would. It sits between normal sweating and the complete absence seen in anhidrosis.
What hypohidrosis means
The reduction can be partial and may affect certain areas more than others across the body. Causes overlap with those of anhidrosis, including nerve conditions, skin changes, and some medications. Because the body relies on sweat for cooling, reduced output can make heat harder to tolerate. Diminished sweating that interferes with staying cool is a reasonable thing to raise with a clinician. It can be subtle, since sweating less is easy to overlook until warm conditions expose the shortfall. Recognizing it matters because it can leave a person more vulnerable to overheating than they realize. The name joins a prefix meaning below to the root for sweating. Because some sweat still appears, the shortfall is easy to miss day to day. Warm weather or exertion often reveals it when cooling falls short.
In practice
Feeling overheated sooner than others during a warm workout, while sweating only lightly, can reflect hypohidrosis. Because the reduction is partial rather than total, some sweat still appears, which can make the shortfall easy to miss until heat makes it noticeable. A person who barely dampens their shirt in conditions that leave others drenched may be experiencing it.
Frequently asked questions
How is hypohidrosis different from anhidrosis?
Hypohidrosis means reduced sweating that is still present. Anhidrosis means little to no sweating at all, a more complete loss.
Can hypohidrosis be easy to overlook?
Yes. Because some sweat still appears, the reduced output may go unnoticed. Warm conditions often reveal it when cooling falls short.
Sources & further reading
The reputable organizations our editorial team draws on for the anatomy, definitions, and safety guidance behind this page, and where you can read more on each topic.
General educational information about sweating. Not medical advice, and not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.