Will body temperature readings be higher when measured during sweating?
May 08, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
After intense physical exercise, the body secretes adrenaline, which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and increases metabolic rate. This leads to heightened secretion from the apocrine glands, resulting in substantial sweating. When the external temperature is high, the body absorbs thermal energy, further enhancing metabolic activity and causing increased perspiration. At such times, body temperature also rises relatively, so taking a temperature measurement will yield a higher reading.
Generally, body temperature readings taken while sweating may be higher than normal. The detailed explanation is as follows:
Typically, after intense physical activity, the body secretes adrenaline, which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and increases metabolic rate. This leads to increased secretion from sweat glands and substantial perspiration. As a result, the body experiences a temporary rise in heat production. Especially during exercise, if the individual is not wearing sweat-absorbent, cotton, breathable clothing, heat production may increase while heat dissipation decreases, leading to an elevated body temperature.
In addition, in high ambient temperatures, the body absorbs thermal energy, resulting in heightened metabolic activity and relatively greater sweating. This makes heat dissipation more difficult, causing the body's heat production to exceed heat loss, thereby also leading to a relatively higher body temperature. Therefore, temperature measurements taken at such times tend to be elevated.
In summary, body temperature readings taken while sweating are generally higher than normal. It is recommended to wait until sweating has stopped before measuring temperature, as this will yield a more accurate result. If the temperature remains elevated beyond the normal range even after sweating stops, it is essential to seek timely medical evaluation at a正规 hospital to prevent worsening of symptoms.
