Perspiration or sweat It is the salty liquid produced by the sweat glands and externalized by the pores. The function of this process is to regulate body temperature especially in warm environments or in moments of high physical activity.
Perspiration is a physiological process that is mainly controlled by the nervous system, and commonly occurs under the arms, feet or palms of the hands, but in young children it is common to find their head, forehead, thorax wet, back…
Though there are babies who don't sweat or do little, since the mechanisms that regulate perspiration are not fully established, the opposite is not worrying.
If we find wet clothes or sheets, we will have to check if the baby is excessively warm or the room temperature is high, and take the necessary measures to protect the baby from heat.
In principle that a baby sweats should not be assumed as something pathological, since as we have said perspiration has the function of eliminating excessive heat.
In addition, not all individuals perspire in similar amounts, although in extreme cases excess perspiration can be a medical problem. They are cases of hyperhidrosis, a picture that sometimes requires multidisciplinary treatment (pediatrician, endocrinologist, psychologist, neurologist, dermatologist ...).
Perspiration in a child who is healthy and has a good general appearance should not cause family distress, but it is convenient that the pediatrician be informed about this situation during the child's health checks.
Why do babies sweat?
Young children have a greater body surface relation to the adult since although their weight and height are less than that of the elderly, children are "more compact" (even more so if they are full).
To this we must add the overcoat so frequently practiced, it is not uncommon to see the smallest babies sheltered in summer while their parents are very cool.
Of course, another fundamental factor is room temperature, since in warm places, closed, poorly ventilated rooms it is more common to find this phenomenon of sweating. In these cases, we will have to take the necessary precautions to keep the baby well hydrated, acclimate the house and not allow the baby to spend excessive heat, as a heat stroke could occur.
If a child is very sweaty and does not have a good countenance, or expresses discomfort, it will be convenient to take his temperature to check if he has a fever.
How to act if the baby sweats
We have already given some advice, in general there is no need to worry, if perspiration is not abundant or is punctual, no action may be necessary. We can act as follows to avoid discomfort to the child:
- Wash your face and body with water at a pleasant temperature.
- Change your clothes and bedding. Do not overload the little ones.
- Replace lost body fluids by offering more frequent chest or water to the elderly.
- Adjust the room temperature slightly. A pleasant temperature can be around 22-24 degrees.
In any case, if we see that the baby sweats excessively and we will often have to tell the pediatrician at the next visit.
