What should I do if I am sweating or have heavy perspiration?

ACS Answer

Sweating is heavy perspiration, sometimes occurring at night. It may happen even when it is not hot outside. Sweating can be heavy enough to soak a person,s clothing. When a fever breaks, heavy perspiration may result. You may have a fever with or without an infection. Sometimes there is no fever, only the sweating that normally follows a drop or break in fever.

What to look for

• Feeling wet or damp during the night, or waking up to find sheets damp
• Fever, followed by heavy sweating as the temperature falls
• Chills
• Drenching sweats when there is no fever or infection

What to do

• Take medication that reduces fever, such as aspirin or Tylenol, if ordered by the doctor.
• Dress in two layers of clothing; the layer on the outside will pull moisture up and away from the skin.
• Change wet clothes as quickly as possible.
• Keep bed linens dry.
• Bathe daily to avoid skin irritation and to maintain good hygiene.

Do not

• Become chilled
• Keep the room too warm or too cool

Call the doctor about any of the following symptoms

• If you become dehydrated from frequent soaking sweats
• If you have a fever that is 100.5°F or higher for more than 24 hours
• If you have tremors or shaking chills

Related Resources

Find books that cover this and other cancer topics at the American Cancer Society bookstore.

Recommended Consultation

You should consider discussing this question with your doctor or health care team.

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