Editing Perspiration (section)

===Pathological sweating and symptoms===

Diaphoresis may be associated with some abnormal conditions, such as [[hyperthyroidism]] and shock. If it is accompanied by unexplained [[weight loss]], [[fever]]/[[chills]], or by [[palpitation]]s, [[Dyspnea|shortness of breath]], [[unconsciousness]], [[fatigue]], [[dizziness]], [[muscle pain]], [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[diarrhea]], and chest discomfort, it suggests serious illness.

Diaphoresis is also seen in an acute [[myocardial infarction]] (heart attack), from the increased firing of the [[sympathetic nervous system]], and is frequent in [[serotonin syndrome]], which can result in serious sickness or even death. Diaphoresis can also be caused by many types of infections, often accompanied by [[high fever]] and/or [[chills]] which can trigger the result of [[hyperthermia]]. Most infections can cause some degree of diaphoresis and it is a very common symptom in some serious infections such as [[malaria]] and [[tuberculosis]].  In addition, pneumothorax can cause diaphoresis with splinting of the chest wall.
[[Neuroleptic malignant syndrome]] and other malignant diseases (e.g. leukemias) can also cause diaphoresis.<ref>{{EMedicine|article|816018|Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome|clinical}}</ref>

Diabetics relying on [[insulin]] shots or oral medications may have low [[blood sugar]] ([[hypoglycemia]]), which can also cause diaphoresis.

Drugs (including [[caffeine]], [[morphine]], [[alcohol (drug)|alcohol]], antidepressants and certain antipsychotics) may be causes, as well as [[Drug withdrawal|withdrawal]] from [[alcohol (drug)|alcohol]], [[benzodiazepines]], [[nonbenzodiazepines]] or [[narcotic]] painkiller dependencies. [[Sympathetic nervous system]] stimulants such as [[cocaine]] and [[amphetamines]] have also been associated with diaphoresis. Diaphoresis due to ectopic [[catecholamine]] is a classic symptom of a [[pheochromocytoma]], a rare [[tumor]] of the [[adrenal gland]]. [[Acetylcholinesterase]] inhibitors (e.g. some [[insecticides]]) also cause contraction of sweat gland smooth muscle leading to diaphoresis.
[[Mercury (element)|Mercury]] is well known for its use as a diaphoretic, and was widely used in the 19th and early 20th century by physicians to "purge" the body of an illness. However, due to the high toxicity of mercury, secondary symptoms would manifest, which were erroneously attributed to the former disease that was being treated with mercurials.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

Infantile [[Mercury poisoning#Infantile acrodynia|acrodynia]] (childhood mercury poisoning) is characterized by excessive perspiration.  A clinician should immediately consider acrodynia in an afebrile child who is sweating profusely.

Some people can develop a [[sweat allergy]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Hiragun |first=Takaaki |last2=Hiragun |first2=Makiko |last3=Ishii |first3=Kaori |last4=Kan |first4=Takanobu |last5=Hide |first5=Michihiro |date=July 2017 |title=Sweat allergy: Extrinsic or intrinsic? |journal=Journal of Dermatological Science |volume=87 |issue=1 |pages=3–9 |doi=10.1016/j.jdermsci.2017.03.002 |pmid=28416076 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Yolozeki_2016">{{Cite book |last=Yokozeki |first=Hiroo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bFgDDQAAQBAJ |title=Perspiration Research |last2=Murota |first2=Hiroyuki |last3=Katayama |first3=Ichrio |date=2016-09-01 |isbn=978-3-318-05904-5 |series=Current Problems in Dermatology |volume=51 |pages=101–108 |language=en |chapter=Sweat Allergy |doi=10.1159/000446788 |lccn=2016030383 |oclc=958455309 |ol=OL40308286M |pmid=27584969 |access-date=2024-01-13 |via=[[Google Books]] |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The allergy is not due to the sweat itself but instead to an allergy-producing protein secreted by bacteria found on the skin.{{r|Yolozeki_2016|page=52}} Tannic-acid has been found to suppress the allergic response along with showering.<ref name=":0" />