Sweating, also known as perspiration, is your body signaling that you need a cool down. Your body begins to sweat once it gets warmer than the average body temperature of 98.6 degrees. Once this occurs, your brain signals to the hypothalamus, responsible for controlling temperature, to begin the cooling down process. As a result of the body increasing in temperature, sweat acts as a cool down method for the body to return to normal temperature.

Sweat (perspiration) is a salty substance that glands in your skin make to keep your body temperature at a healthy level. Sweating is a normal part of life. It prevents your body from overheating and allows you to safely exercise, work outdoors in the heat or live in a warm climate. Certain health conditions and medications can affect your body’s ability to sweat normally. For example, you might sweat more than expected. Or your body may be unable to produce enough sweat to cool itself.