The sweat and body odour

Description

Sweating and body odor are common when exercising, or is too hot. They are also a natural response to the hormonal changes and stress. Most people have a natural body odor, even if they do not sweat much.

A change in body odor, or how much sweating can be a sign of a health problem. The medical condition of sweating too much is called hyperhidrosis.

For the sweat and body odor that is not caused by a health problem, health care can often help to relieve the symptoms.

Symptoms

Sweating and body odor most often affect the armpits and the groin area, the palms of the hands, the bottom of the feet and the head, face and scalp. It is common for some people sweat more or less than other people. Body odor can also vary from person to person. It is possible that the smell of spicy, oniony, sour or any other strong smell.

When to see a doctor

Consult a doctor or other health care professional if you:

  • Suddenly I start to sweat more than usual.
  • Sweating disrupts your daily life.
  • You have night sweats for no clear reason.
  • Your body odor changes for no clear reason.
  • You have a family history of hyperhidrosis.

Causes

Sweat is the body's way of cooling itself. The nervous system activates the sweat glands when it is too hot. The sweat also occurs whenyou are under stress.

The two main types of sweat glands eccrine glands and apocrine glands. Eccrine glands occur over most of the body and open directly onto the surface of the skin. When the body temperature rises, these glands release the fluids that cool your body as it evaporates.

Apocrine glands are found in the areas where you have hair, such as the armpits and the groin. These glands release a milky liquid when you are stressed. This fluid is odorless until it is combined with the bacteria in the skin.

Risk factors

Risk factors for sweating and body odor are:

  • The body hair.
  • The hormonal changes.
  • Fever.
  • Stress.
  • Exposure to heat.
  • The overweight.
  • Taking certain medicines.
  • Consuming too much alcohol.

The sweat and body odour

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will likely ask about your medical history and perform an examination. You may need a blood or urine test. These tests can show if your symptoms are caused by a medical condition, such as an infection. Other possible causes are diabetes, and hyperactivity of the thyroid gland, which is also called hyperthyroidism.

Treatment

The sweat and body odor from the armpits, can often be treated with antiperspirants or deodorants that you can buy without a prescription:

  • Antiperspirants. Antiperspirants contain metal salt, such as aluminum, which blocks swein the pores. This reduces the amount of sweat that reaches the skin. The product works best when applied to dry skin and is used on a daily basis. Many deodorants and antiperspirants are too.
  • Deodorants. Deodorant can eliminate the odor, but not the sweat. They are usually alcohol-base and turn the skin acidic. This makes the skin less likely to grow bacteria that cause odor. Deodorant often contains fragrances designed to mask the odor.

If antiperspirants and deodorants that are sold in stores do not relieve the symptoms, a member of your healthcare team may prescribe a stronger version. These stronger products can cause a rash, swelling, and itching in some people. Follow the instructions in the product label carefully.

Other treatments are available for severe sweating and body odor that do not respond to these products. They include laser hair removal, and botulinum toxin injections. Talk with your health care professional if these options are of interest to you.

Self-care

The self-care habits that may facilitate the sweat and body odor are:

  • Wash on a regular basis. The bathroom reduces tto the growth of the bacteria in the skin. Take a bath every day with an antibacterial soap or a bar of soap. For the treatment of odors that cling to clothes and shoes, try to laundry products made to remove bacteria and odors.
  • Dressing to suit your activity. For everyday use, choose natural fabrics, such as cotton, wool and silk. These allow your skin to breathe. For strenuous activities, you may prefer to use synthetic fabrics that wick sweat away from the skin.
  • Trying yoga, or other ways to relieve stress. Learn and practice yoga, Iditation or other types of stress-reducing practices. Taking an activity of this type could help to control the stress that can sometimes lead to sweating.
  • Cooling. Cool off if the sweating is caused by the heat. The methods that can help the search for the shade, drinkingg of cold fluids, apply a cold cloth over your skin, and take a cold bath or shower.
  • Change your diet. Spicy or strong-smelling foods can also make you sweat more. And that may cause changes in body odor.
  • To remove the hair. The hair can trap bacteria and odor. Consider the possibility of removing the hair in the affected areas. The methods of hair removal include shaving, the application of a hair-removal products or the use of electrolysis.
  • The loss of weight. If you are overweight, reduce your weight can help relieve sweating.

Alternative medicine

People who have had some success in the treatment of sweating and body odor with products made of herbal extracts, essential oils or astringent. Coal-based products applied to the skin can help reduce the smell. People have different types of skin, so that no product works the same for everyone.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your primary care doctor or another member of your health care team. In some cases, when you call to schedule an appointment, you may be referred to a specialist in the conditions of the skin. These specialists dermatologists.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Prepare a list of questions will help you get the most out of your appointment. For the sweat and body odor, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What are the most likely causes of my symptoms?
  • Is my condition likely to disappear soon, or is of long duration?
  • What treatments are available, and which might be best for me?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?

What to expect from your doctor

It is likely that he would ask several questions, such as:

  • When did you first notice the symptoms?
  • How often do you have these symptoms?
  • Do you always have these symptoms, or come and go?
  • Does nothing seem to relieve your symptoms?
  • What, in any case, makes their symptoms worse?
Symptoms and treatment of Sweating and body odor