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How do eccrine sweat glands cool the human body?

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A pangolin walks through grass with a blue circle around it and the word endangered written in white across the image. — Integument The pangolin is the only mammal in the world covered in scales.

Eccrine sweat glands play a vital role in thermoregulation by secreting water onto the surface of the skin to facilitate cooling through evaporation.12

When the body's internal temperature rises, the hypothalamus—acting as the body's thermostat—detects the change and triggers the sympathetic nervous system. This system stimulates the eccrine sweat glands to release a dilute solution, primarily composed of water and small amounts of electrolytes, directly onto the skin surface. As this liquid evaporates, it absorbs heat from the body, effectively lowering the skin temperature and helping to maintain homeostasis.1324

While these glands function continuously to keep the body from overheating, their activity can be significantly increased in response to thermal stress. In addition to thermal regulation, eccrine glands on the palms and soles also respond to psychological stimuli to maintain moisture for tactile sensitivity and grip.23