Unpleasant Stickiness Due to Sweating
I’m a 28-year-old woman, weighing 144 pounds and standing at 5’2”. I struggle with chronic TMJ and have an allergy, for which I take 5mg of Zyrtec and sometimes flare up with Flerexil during bad episodes. Approximately two months ago, after spending a night out, I experienced the worst sleep imaginable. The alcohol intake elevated my body temperature, causing excessive sweating that hindered my ability to rest. I figured this discomfort would subside once I recovered. While the initial symptoms did diminish, they have not completely resolved. Now, whenever my skin makes contact with another surface, it becomes damp enough to create an unpleasant stickiness that is quite bothersome. Fortunately, my body temperature has returned to normal levels. I consulted with my primary care physician, who conducted several STD tests and a general blood screening, all of which yielded normal results. I have another appointment scheduled in a month, but this issue is becoming increasingly frustrating. Is this some form of skin issue? It’s quite taxing as I can no longer comfortably cuddle with my boyfriend; any skin-to-skin contact lasting over a minute leads to an uncomfortable stickiness without the usual sweating.
Answers (1)
8/2/2025, 7:10:53 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with a persistent issue of skin stickiness, likely related to the sweating you experienced after your night out. Given that your primary care physician has ruled out serious concerns through testing, we can approach this from the perspective of managing the symptoms and improving your comfort.
Main Points:
- Persistent stickiness may be related to sweat gland activity, skin irritation, or a sensitivity issue.
- Effective management focuses on hydration, skin care, and monitoring your symptoms.
Explanation:
The stickiness you're experiencing, especially after an initial period of sweating, might be due to several factors, including residual moisture, a reaction to clothing materials, or even skin sensitivity that developed after the incident. When your body temperature rises, the body sweats in order to cool down, but if the sweating becomes excessive or continues unusually, it can lead to discomfort.
Next Steps:
-
Daily Skin Care Routine:
- Gently cleanse your skin daily to remove sweat residues. Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser to avoid irritation.
- After cleansing, apply a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated but not greasy.
-
Clothing Choices:
- Opt for loose-fitting, breathable fabrics like cotton that promote airflow and absorb moisture without trapping it.
- Avoid synthetic fibers that can exacerbate stickiness.
-
Hydration:
- Ensure you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Proper hydration can help regulate sweating.
-
Monitor Triggers:
- Keep track of any specific triggers that may worsen the stickiness, such as certain foods, activities, or stress.
- Consider reducing alcohol intake as it may lead to fluctuating body temperatures and sweat levels.
-
Evaluate Environmental Factors:
- If you're in a humid environment, use fans or air conditioning to help manage your body temperature.
-
Symptom Diary:
- Keep a diary to document when the stickiness occurs, its severity, and any accompanying symptoms. This information can help your doctor when you discuss it at your next appointment.
If your symptoms worsen or do not improve significantly with these steps, please follow up with your healthcare provider sooner than your scheduled appointment. I hope these suggestions help you find relief and comfort in your daily life!
Related Questions
Identifying Mysterious Nose Spots
Greetings everyone! I'm a 32-year-old woman, and I don't take any medications. For several months now, I've been dealing with two spots on my nose that simply won’t go away. I maintain a skincare routine that includes cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, but despite my efforts, these spots remain persistent. They lack a noticeable head, which makes it impossible for me to pop them, and they neither cause discomfort nor have they grown larger over time. I woke up one day to discover them, and they’ve been there ever since. My apologies for the poor image quality.
Seeking Help for a Skin Rash
Age: 20 years Gender: Male Height: 5 feet 10 inches Weight: 130 pounds Ethnicity: Asian Length of Symptoms: Approximately one week, although the larger area of irritation has been developing for about three weeks. Affected Area: My arms Medical History: No known health issues Current Treatments: Not taking any medications at the moment.
Struggling with Long-Term Nasal Congestion
**Patient Overview:** 21-year-old male For the past three to four years, I've been dealing with persistent nasal congestion, which has been quite troublesome. Despite seeking help from two different ENT specialists and trying various medications, including multiple nasal sprays and drops, I haven't found any lasting relief. Unfortunately, the treatments have been largely ineffective. Both an endoscopy and a CT scan yielded no definitive results. The only temporary relief I've experienced comes from certain nasal sprays that I used excessively, leading to a rebound effect that made my condition worse. One of the ENT doctors indicated that there weren’t any viable solutions for my issue, while the other recommended consulting an allergist for further assistance. **Allergy Testing Results:** - **Immunoglobulin Level:** 283.4 IU/ml - Identified allergies include: - House Dust Mites: 4.90 IU/ml (Dermatophagoides farinae) - House Dust: 2.00 IU/ml (Hollister Stier) - Storage Mites: 1.30 IU/ml (Glycyphagus domesticus) - Casein: 1.10 IU/ml - Chickpea: 0.98 IU/ml - Sesame Seed: 1.22 IU/ml - Milk: 1.50 IU/ml - Egg: 1.30 IU/ml - Yogurt: 0.46 IU/ml - Common Ragweed: 1.20 IU/ml **CT Scan Findings:** - **MSCT Scan of the Paranasal Sinuses (Plain):** - **Nasal Cavity:** The septum is nearly central, but there are hypertrophied middle and inferior turbinates on the right side leading to fullness in the right nasal cavity. Concha bullosa is observed bilaterally. - **Bilateral Sinuses & Drainage Pathways:** Sinuses appear normal and the bilateral ostiomeatal complex is also normal. - There are enlarged soft tissue shadows of the adenoids measuring 32 x 14.5 mm, which may be causing mild to moderate narrowing of the air passage. - Bilateral tonsilloliths are present with no collection, and there is a need to rule out the possibility of chronic or recurrent tonsillitis. - **Anatomical Variations:** The Vidian nerve canals are normal, with no Haller or Onodi cells observed; Keros type II olfactory fossae are present on both sides. **Impression:** The findings suggest mild adenoid hypertrophy and nasal cavity fullness due to enlarged turbinates. Thankfully, the sinuses and ostiomeatal complex appear to be normal. Although I cannot recall the specific names of the medications and sprays prescribed—due to difficulty in reading my doctor’s handwriting—I conducted some research and learned that many of these medications are typically used for allergic rhinitis. Now, my physician has suggested that I consider starting immunotherapy and advised me to see an allergist. I find myself uncertain about the next steps, and I am seeking guidance on how to proceed.
Unusual Skin Changes After Showering
I'm a 33-year-old female and I'm curious if anyone has experienced something similar. After I shower, I often notice a reddish rash appearing on my legs. However, today there were also numerous purple spots alongside the typical redness. Unfortunately, I can't upload images here, but I'll share them in the comments for those interested in what I'm describing.
Inquiry About Blood Test Results (Hormonal, Immune, and Metabolic Analysis)
Since my teenage years, I've encountered various hormone-related challenges. A minor amount of stress can throw my body into disarray, leading to insomnia, hair thinning, heightened anxiety, unexpected weight gain, muscle discomfort, and reduced sexual desire, among other issues. Additionally, I tend to be quite sensitive to heat, often experiencing migraines and nausea when the temperature rises. Recently, I noticed these stress-like signs resurfacing despite feeling relatively calm. In response, my physician conducted a series of tests checking for autoimmune problems and hormone levels. To provide some background, I am 38 years old, have never used hormonal contraception, and the blood samples were collected on the second day of my menstrual cycle. While I suspect my results fall within a typical range, I’m curious if they might still be linked to my symptoms: - FSH: 8.2 u/L - LH: 4.3 u/L - Testosterone: 1.1 nmol/L - SHBG: 104 nmol/L - Free Androgen Index: 1.1 All other results returned mid-range, except for a few that approached the low or high limits of normal, raising questions about whether it’s preferable to be at the extremes rather than in the middle: - Percentage of Lymphocytes: 1.9 x 10^9/L - Eosinophils Count: 0.1 x 10^9/L - Serum Potassium: 4.7 mmol/L - Serum Urea: 3.0 mmol/L - Serum Creatinine: 59 umol/L Moreover, I am inquiring about the relationship between my hair thinning and iron levels. Although I was previously informed that my iron and ferritin levels appeared normal, my ferritin measured below 60. From my research, it seems optimal ferritin for promoting hair health is typically between 70-100 or more. Any insights on this matter would be greatly appreciated.