Will wearing too many clothes cause an armpit temperature reading to exceed 37°C?
Apr 03, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
Wearing too many clothes generally does not raise body temperature above 37°C. Dressing heavily does not cause an actual increase in body temperature; conversely, wearing too little will not significantly lower body temperature either. This is mainly due to the characteristics of warm-blooded animals—normal human bodies are capable of regulating their own temperature. In addition, it's advisable to avoid wearing excessively thick clothing and to ensure adequate hydration in daily life.
When wearing excessively thick clothing, axillary body temperature generally does not exceed 37°C.
Under normal circumstances, wearing too many clothes does not cause an increase in body temperature. Conversely, wearing too little clothing does not significantly lower body temperature either. This is primarily due to the characteristics of warm-blooded animals. The human body is capable of regulating its internal temperature. When wearing excessive clothing, heat dissipation slows down, and the body will activate its cooling mechanisms to maintain a stable internal temperature.
If axillary temperature exceeds the normal range and reaches or surpasses 37°C, it may indicate fever. Physical cooling methods such as using fever-reducing patches or tepid sponge baths can help reduce body temperature. If axillary temperature continues to rise above 38.5°C, physical cooling alone may not be effective. In such cases, antipyretic medications—such as ibuprofen tablets, acetaminophen tablets, or paracetamol-phenylephrine-chlorpheniramine granules—can be taken under medical guidance to reduce fever.
In addition, it is advisable to avoid wearing overly thick clothing in daily life and to ensure adequate fluid intake.
