Experiencing sweating while eating, also known as gustatory sweating, occurs when individuals sweat excessively during or after consuming food.
Have you observed someone, or yourself, sweating while eating? Beads of sweat may appear on the neck, face, scalp, and forehead, indicating an underlying health issue. This condition, known medically as gustatory sweating or Frey Syndrome, is common among those who sweat during or after eating, particularly after consuming hot and spicy foods that raise body temperature naturally. Spicy foods containing red or black pepper, which includes an enzyme called capsaicin, can trigger the body’s thermal system, causing a sensation of warmth. To address gustatory sweating, it is important to understand the underlying causes.
Why does sweating while eating occur?
Gustatory sweating may be attributed to various factors:
1. Head or neck surgery
Facial flushing and sweating while eating can result from damage to the auriculotemporal nerve, surgery on the parotid gland, facial injuries, or conditions like shingles, according to consultant physician and intensivist Dr. Roohi Pirzada.
One common cause of gustatory sweating is a history of head or neck surgery. Following surgery to remove the parotid gland, individuals may experience trauma to nearby tissues in these regions. It is believed that surgery on the parotid gland can unintentionally damage nearby nerves, leading to mixed nerve signals, including those related to sweating. Normally, the body produces more saliva when eating, but if the nerves around the parotid glands are impaired, the body may start sweating instead of salivating. This condition may also be hereditary.
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2. Meat sweats
Some nutritionists may attribute “meat sweats” to excessive perspiration following the consumption of high-protein meals, not limited to just meats. The breakdown of protein involves a high metabolic rate and thermogenesis, prompting the body to sweat to cool down. Balancing protein intake in the diet or consuming smaller amounts at more frequent intervals may help reduce these sweating episodes.
3. Increased alcohol consumption
Alcohol can raise body temperature, leading to sweating. Limiting alcohol intake and staying hydrated post-consumption can help manage this.
How to prevent gustatory sweating?
Treatment options for this type of sweating are limited, but several approaches may help reduce or stop gustatory sweating. Some of these include:
1. Over-the-counter treatments
Your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter topical treatments and oral medications, such as antiperspirants that can be applied to the face or other sweating areas. Medications like anticholinergics may also help control sweating.
2. Botox injections
Botox injections are a common treatment for Frey’s syndrome, particularly for axillary hyperhidrosis, as recommended by experts.
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3. Surgical procedures
In severe cases, surgical procedures like skin grafting have been performed in the past. However, these procedures can be risky.
4. Journaling
Keeping a food journal to track sweating triggers and patterns can help minimize or prevent excessive sweating. Analysis of the collected information at the end of the week can reveal which foods may be causing increased sweating, allowing for their elimination from the diet to potentially reduce sweating.