Does alcohol make you sweat?

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When discussing the side effects of alcohol, you probably hear a lot about liver damage and pounding hangovers. However, there’s also a less openly discussed problem that countless people face. It’s actually extremely common for people to deal with extreme sweating after they consume alcohol. This might seem like a minor annoyance, but it can actually be a sign of several issues. Keep reading to discover why sweating after alcohol happens and learn what you can do to manage it. 

The Connection Between Alcohol and Sweating

Of course, everyone sweats at some time or another, but alcohol is notorious for causing major issues with sweating. Some people find they start dripping sweat immediately after having a few drinks. Others notice that when they go to bed after drinking, they wake up with bedclothes drenched in sweat.

Drinking and sweating tend to be connected due to the way your body processes sweat. Sweat is a fluid naturally formed by eccrine and apocrine glands in your body. These glands are linked to your entire body. They can be affected by things like increased body temperature, muscle contractions, and adrenaline hormones. Normally, your body releases sweat to cool you down and expel waste products. However, artificial substances such as alcohol can also contribute to sweating.

Why Does Alcohol Cause Sweating?

As you can see, sweating is a surprisingly complex bodily process. There are many different ways that alcohol can trigger a sweaty response.

Vasodilation

Alcohol is a vasodilator which means it causes your blood vessels to relax and widen. This can cause a cascade of other effects to develop throughout your body. As your blood vessels widen, you’ll feel a rush of heat throughout your body. This can end up triggering a sweat response and encouraging sweat glands to produce more sweat.

Nervous System Responses

Alcohol also impacts your nervous system. Right after you drink alcohol, it triggers changes in the hypothalamus region of the brain that regulates body temperatures. This will cause your core body temperature to drop slightly. Your body will then rush to produce more heat to balance your temperature levels. Unfortunately, once you sober up, your body will still be in heat production mode. You’ll find that you have a surge of heat as the alcohol wears off, and this is often part of the reason you experience night sweats.

Heat Production During Alcohol Metabolism

When you drink alcohol, your body rushes to manage the toxic chemicals that you are adding to your system. The liver and kidneys work to metabolize these chemicals, and while they do so, they produce a lot of excess heat as a byproduct. The changes to temperature levels around these organs can end up triggering sweat production.

Hormonal Responses

When your body is stressed, it naturally produces sweat as part of its “fight or flight” mode. Unfortunately, alcohol is a type of poison, so it can put a lot of stress on your body. Drinking alcohol increases levels of adrenaline and cortisol hormones, and these can end up triggering your sweat glands to produce more sweat.

Factors That Can Worsen Alcohol-Induced Sweating

Ultimately, alcohol and sweating are certainly linked. However, the effects of alcohol on sweating aren’t always consistent.

Amount of Alcohol Consumed

The more alcohol you drink, the more likely you are to deal with sweating. All the effects of alcohol that cause you to sweat tend to get more pronounced as you consume more alcohol. Since different types of alcohol have different strengths, some people will also notice they sweat more when they consume certain beverages. When you have liquor, you might sweat more than when you have a couple of light beers or a glass of wine.

Individual Differences

Your reaction to alcohol is also highly individualized. Everyone’s unique metabolizing speed and natural sweating levels can cause them to react differently to alcohol. You’re more likely to deal with alcohol-induced sweating if you already sweat excessively. Risk factors for excessive sweating include being obese, being male, and having a family history of sweating. Having conditions like diabetes, menopause, or hyperthyroidism can trigger sweating as well.

Your Relationship to Alcohol

Keep in mind that sweating is also a sign of alcohol withdrawal. If you consume enough alcohol to develop a physical dependence, you might find that you sweat more once the alcohol leaves your system. Whether or not you have a physical dependence on alcohol usually depends on how often and how much you drink. If you find yourself sweating excessively every time you sober up, there’s a chance you might be dealing with alcohol addiction.

Is Alcohol-Induced Sweating Dangerous?

Sweating might not be as life-threatening as some of the other consequences of alcohol use, but it’s not harmless either. There are many potential problems associated with sweating too much.

Physical Discomfort

Being overly sweaty can make it hard to relax. You might notice issues like sticking to chairs when you stand up or feeling an itching sensation as sweat drips down your back. Some people also find that when they sweat more, moving around a lot can irritate their skin. Altogether, excessive sweating leads to a lot of undesirable physical sensations.

Social Challenges

Have you ever met a new person and cringed when you realized you needed to shake their hand? Many people who deal with excessive sweating report that it can feel embarrassing to socialize. Being too sweaty can harm your confidence and make it difficult to connect with others.

Health Implications

There are also some physical dangers associated with sweating too much. Sweat removes water and salt from your body which can be a problem because alcohol is already extremely dehydrating. As a diuretic, alcohol causes you to urinate out a lot of the liquid you consume. Sweating makes this symptom even worse. If you sweat out too much moisture, you will find that headaches and other hangover symptoms are very severe. Excessive sweating also increases your risk of skin infections. People can end up with irritated skin in their armpits and other skin folds, and this can eventually cause painful infections and rashes.

How to Manage Alcohol-Related Sweating

If you suffer from sweating, it’s important to stay safe and comfortable. Here are some things you can do to reduce the risks of sweating while drinking alcohol.

Stay Hydrated

The most important thing to do if you’re sweating is to stay hydrated. This can help mitigate some of the uncomfortable symptoms of drinking-induced sweating. Aim to have a glass of water, juice, or another non-alcoholic drink alongside your alcohol. Remember that you’re also losing electrolytes as you sweat, so it can be helpful to get a sports drink.

Drink in Moderation

Cutting back on drinking is one of the most useful ways of reducing sweating. Make a note of how many drinks it takes you to start sweating and then make sure you stick to drinking no more than that amount. If you think your sweating is related to alcohol dependency, you’ll also need to cut back on the frequency of your drinking.

Choose the Right Environment

Being in an overly hot environment tends to make sweating a lot worse. When possible, drink in a cool, air-conditioned building. During drinking sessions outside, stay in the shade and use a fan. If you’re concerned about sweating once you fall asleep, make sure to sleep with nothing more than a light sheet over your body.

Alter Your Personal Care Routine

Though changing your hygiene habits can’t entirely stop sweating, it can keep you from feeling quite as sticky and smelly. Make sure you apply a strong antiperspirant deodorant before drinking and choose breathable clothes. Some people also find that changing their diet to avoid certain strong-smelling spices can help their sweat smell milder.

Conclusion

If you are tired of dealing with the unpleasant side of alcohol consumption, Live Free Recovery Services is here to help. We provide thoughtful, effective substance use treatment throughout New Hampshire. Our services include inpatient rehab programs, outpatient programs, detox, and more. When you choose to work with us, you get access to a variety of cutting-edge therapies and medications. Contact our team now to learn more about our services.