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What are Eccrine Glands?

Jessica Gore
Jessica Gore

Eccrine glands are one of the three kinds of sweat glands present in the skin, along with apocrine and sebaceous glands. Human skin contains between two and three million of these glands, mostly on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and the armpits. Eccrine glands are seen as being a uniquely human structure in that they occur among other primates with only half the frequency as among humans. In non-primate animals, they are either confined to the pads of the feet and lip margins, or are entirely absent.

The evolutionary purpose of eccrine sweat glands among humans is somewhat controversial. Sweating is one of the least effective of the thermoregulation mechanisms among mammals. In extreme environments, it could even lead to severe dehydration and death. For that reason, it is believed by some that thermoregulation is actually a secondary purpose of sweating, and that some other function, such as the removal of waste salts, accounts for the proliferation of eccrine glands in humans.

The palms of the hands contain eccrine glands.
The palms of the hands contain eccrine glands.

While apocrine and sebaceous glands produce oily, waxy secretions that are associated with body oils and odors, the sweat from eccrine glands, being mostly water, generally does not cause unpleasant odors. These glands are also distinct in that while sebaceous and apocrine glands are usually attached to a hair follicle, eccrine glands are always open on the surface of the skin.

The soles of the feet contain eccrine glands.
The soles of the feet contain eccrine glands.

Eccrine glands are controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. When the nervous system detects a rise in temperature either from external heat or fever, the sweat glands are stimulated to cover the skin with a thin film of water, the evaporation of which dissipates heat and cools the body. These glands are noted as being highly adaptable to a variety of environments, becoming more active in hotter climates and less active in cold regions. Emotional stressors can also stimulate eccrine glands, in which case sweating is confined mostly to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, as opposed to the more global activity associated with thermoregulation.

The eccrine glands are more active in hotter climates.
The eccrine glands are more active in hotter climates.

Occasionally, either due to genetics or an underlying medical disorder, sweat glands become overactive and sweating becomes profuse to the point of being bothersome. Treatment options for this condition – known as hyperhidrosis – range from the very mild, such as prescription antiperspirants, to more invasive procedures such as Botox™ injections. It even could include surgical interruption of the nerve impulses that govern the sweat glands.

Discussion Comments

anon259574

I too am perplexed by the need for so many eccrine glands on the hands and feet. Perhaps it is a leftover from the days when we were swinging from the trees and needed those surfaces to remain moist for a better grip. What do the evolutionary biologists say?

stl156

I know someone that has the opposite of overactive eccrine glands. He hardly ever sweats unless he's doing a lot of moving in very hot weather.

I've heard of this being a serious problem for some people, because they can get heat exhaustion without feeling too hot.

This article is just more proof of how important it is to stay hydrated when you are outside.

JimmyT

I wonder if we ended up with a lot of these glands on our hands and feet because those are the parts of our body that move the most when we walk, therefore the water evaporates quicker?

Does anybody reading this actually know?

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    • The palms of the hands contain eccrine glands.
      By: brozova
      The palms of the hands contain eccrine glands.
    • The soles of the feet contain eccrine glands.
      By: Artem Furman
      The soles of the feet contain eccrine glands.
    • The eccrine glands are more active in hotter climates.
      By: clabert
      The eccrine glands are more active in hotter climates.
    • The sweat glands under the arms are eccrine glands.
      By: Artem Furman
      The sweat glands under the arms are eccrine glands.