What to do if you have cold body and do not sweat
Sep 01, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Body chills with an absence of sweating may be caused by underdeveloped sweat glands from birth, long-term lack of exercise, hypothyroidism, anemia, scleroderma, or other related conditions. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition under a doctor's guidance through general treatments, medication, and other approaches. In daily life, it is important to stay warm and avoid prolonged exposure to cold environments. Additionally, incorporating warming foods such as lamb and ginger into the diet may be beneficial.
Generally, the absence of sweating in cold conditions may be caused by underdeveloped sweat glands from birth, long-term lack of exercise, hypothyroidism, anemia, scleroderma, and other related factors. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation to identify the underlying cause and then improve the condition under a doctor's guidance through general treatments, medications, and other methods. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Congenital underdevelopment of sweat glands: Individuals may be born with fewer sweat glands or with glands that have weaker function, making sweating even more difficult during cold conditions. Usually, there are no other discomforts. In daily life, soaking feet in warm water can help promote blood circulation—each session lasting 15–20 minutes with the water temperature maintained at about 40°C. Choosing mild exercises such as brisk walking or yoga can gradually enhance the body's ability to generate heat, aiding in light perspiration.
2. Long-term lack of exercise: Prolonged sitting and inactivity can lead to slower metabolism and reduced heat production, making it harder to trigger sweating mechanisms under cold conditions, often accompanied by limb fatigue. It is recommended to exercise 3–5 times per week, such as jogging or rope skipping, each session lasting 30 minutes, with the intensity maintained at a level that causes mild body warmth. Long-term adherence can improve metabolism and promote sweating.
3. Hypothyroidism: Insufficient secretion of thyroid hormones leads to a decreased metabolic rate and reduced heat production, causing cold intolerance without sweating, accompanied by fatigue, cold sensitivity, and weight gain. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as levothyroxine sodium tablets, thyroid extract tablets, or levothyroxine sodium oral solution to supplement hormones.
4. Anemia: A reduced number of red blood cells in the peripheral blood leads to decreased oxygen-carrying capacity, resulting in reduced body heat production, causing cold intolerance without sweating, accompanied by pallor and dizziness. Patients should follow medical advice to take iron supplements such as ferrous succinate tablets, ferrous fumarate capsules, or iron dextran oral solution.
5. Scleroderma: Connective tissue disease causes skin and subcutaneous tissue hardening, impairing sweat gland function, leading to cold intolerance without sweating, accompanied by tightness and stiffness of the skin. In the early stages, patients may follow medical advice to use medications like methylprednisolone tablets, prednisolone tablets, or cyclophosphamide tablets to control the disease progression.
Daily care should include keeping warm and avoiding prolonged exposure to cold environments. Diet should include appropriate increases in warming foods such as lamb and ginger, while reducing intake of raw and cold foods. By maintaining a regular routine, engaging in moderate exercise, and receiving targeted treatment, the condition of cold intolerance without sweating can be gradually improved, helping to maintain normal metabolic function.
