Lifestyle Choices

There are two types of sweat glands. The eccrine glands which are most numerous on the palms, soles, and forehead, and the apocrine glands which are in the armpits, anogenital area, nipples, eyelids, ear canal (secreting ear wax) and around the belly button. The apocrine secretions are regulated by sex hormones that activate at puberty and decline with old age. It is the apocrine sweat which breeds the bacteria that causes body odor, explaining why pre-adolescents and the elderly usually suffer less from this problem.

People of African descent have the most sweat glands; Caucasians have fewer; and Orientals have the least. In general, men sweat more from each gland than do women. Faster sweating (as with exercise) yields more concentrated sweat and increased bacteria.

No Sweat!

Antiperspirants are drugs which actively decrease sweat. They must reduce sweating by 20 percent or more to be deemed effective. Antiperspirants are made of astringent salts (most commonly aluminium chloride or aluminium chlorohydrate). In general, roll-ons are more effective and less irritating than lotions and creams; sticks, liquids and aerosols are the least effective. Although antiperspirants are most commonly used in the armpits, they can also be used to treat moist, sweaty hands. Deodorants, by contrast, are not drugs; they merely mask odor with a perfume or by antibacterial action.

If you have a problem with underarm wetness, you should use an antiperspirant regularly, perhaps adding a deodorant when exercising. If you perspire very heavily, your dermatologist might give you a strong, prescription antiperspirant to use daily for a short time, and then several times each week thereafter. Antiperspirants have a cumulative effect; after an initial loading dose, one application decreases sweating for several days!

If you suffer from excessive sweating, your dermatologist might also prescribe ionophoresis treatment. This decreases perspiration by transferring ions with a small piece of equipment that can be used either at home or in a dermatologist’s office. The ionophoresis apparatus has attachments for armpits, hands and feet to deliver a mild, tingling, non-painful, electrical charge. Seven to ten daily treatments of about 15 minutes each, followed by four weekly treatments, decrease sweating for a period of six to eight weeks.

Ten tips on Body Odor and Sweating

1 Antiperspirants should never be applied to broken, irritated skin, or just after shaving.

2 Stop using your antiperspirant if you feel stinging or itching or if you develop a rash.

3 Apply the antiperspirant only to the armpit or sole, not to the surrounding skin. If it drips down your side, wipe it off.

4 When applying an antiperspirant after washing, be sure the armpits or soles are dry.

5 Antiperspirants are best applied at night.

6 Use a deodorant soap in the armpits, genital area, and feet, but never on your face!

7 Avoid wearing synthetic clothing and especially tight plastic or rubber shoes and boots.

8 After a bath or shower, dust your armpits, soles and all body folds with an absorbent deodorant powder or baking soda.

9 Avoid eating garlic, onions, vinegar, sharp cheese, and mustard, all of which enhance body odor. Avoid hot spices and coffee if they make you sweat more.

10 Shaving the armpits decreases bacteria and therefore body odor.

Tea Compress Treatment

Just as tannic acid “tans leather”, so it can decrease sweating to control moist palms and soles, perspiration under the breasts or unpleasant odor in the groin. Just brew a strong tea using three or four tea bags in lqt (2.2litres) of water. Cool the tea and either soak your hands or feet, or put some tea on a piece of cotton gauze or a washcloth and apply as a compress to the areas needing treatment, for 20 minutes each day.

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