There
are millions of sweat glands all over the body surface producing
sweat. They are found in particular concentrations in the axillae
(arm pits) and around the genital region -the glands of these
two regions also produce the natural body odour - the palms
of the hands and on the soles of the feet. Sweating, by evaporation
of sweat from the surface of the skin, is one of the main ways
in which the body loses heat. Get out of a warm bath ,even into
quite warm bathroom, and the effect of cooling by evaporation
is immediately apparent. People sweat when they are hot, taking
exercise or exerting themselves, are anxious or frightened ,
and when eating hot, spicy food. Sweating is the way the body
cools from a fever, and is also found in a number of illnesses
such as hyperthyroidism (see Thyroid problems). Sweating becomes
a problem when it is excessive or inappropriate. Sweating of
the palms is common amongst young adults, usually as a nervous
reaction. If the sweat tends to accumulate because of bodily
configuration or clothing - in the skin creases of the obese,
in the arm pits, under the breasts, around the feet, for example
- the skin becomes chronically wet, damaged. Resultant chemical
changes and bacterial and fungal infection can produce an unpleasant
smell. This is particularly true of the feet (see Athletes foot)
when the continuous use of non- porous foot wear, such as trainers,
and non-absorbent hosiery, such as nylon socks, can make things
much worse. In some situations blockage of the sweat glands
can cause problems (see Prickly heat).
Some people sweat more than others, particularly those doing heavy jobs, the obese and the nervous. Regular washing, bathing or showering, the use of natural fibres rather than synthetics for clothing, loose clothing rather than tight clothing, can all help. Some people with severe armpit sweating may be helped by strong products such as aluminium chloride hexahydrate 20% application. Medical advice should be sought for excess, problematic sweating. Treatments available include injection into, or removal of, the nervous tissue that triggers sweating and even surgical removal of under arm tissue if he condition is severe and continuous. Often where there is excess sweating and the skin becomes damaged, notably under the breasts, in the groins and on the feet, secondary fungal infection may be treated with anti-fungal creams. |
