Sweating

General description of the disease

This is a condition in which a person produces an increased amount of sweat. Every person sweats, this function is needed in the body for thermoregulation. The brain sends signals for this to more than 3 million sweat glands through which fluid leaves the body. It evaporates from the skin and thereby reduces body temperature. There are many factors that make a person sweat. Among them increased ambient temperature, stress, physical activity, side effects after taking medication, a period of cold or illness – this is how the body fights fever, hormonal changes. These and other reasons will be discussed below.

The causes of sweating and how to deal with them

1. 1 Increased ambient temperature. Sweating is the body’s standard cooling system. When the temperature rises, millions of tiny sweat glands are activated and sweat is released through the pores to prevent overheating. When it evaporates, the body cools down. What to do about it: You cannot completely stop sweating. Your body needs it. But to eliminate the unpleasant odor and reduce discharge, it is advisable to wear clothes made from natural fabrics and use a deodorant.
2. 2 Training, physical activity. Exercise triggers your body’s internal heating system. Sweating is your body’s way of getting rid of this extra heat. What to do about it: Exercise indoors in a cool place so you don’t sweat as much. If you prefer to exercise outdoors, it’s best to do it in the morning or late at night when it’s not so hot outside. Remember, when you sweat, you are losing fluids. Therefore, it is important to rebalance it and drink water before, during and after exercise.
3. 3 Strong feelings. Emotions – from anger or stress to love – can make a person sweat. Emotional sweating activates the sweat glands in the palms, under the arms and on the soles. A high-quality antiperspirant will help fight this, and to reduce sweating on the palms and feet, you can undergo a procedure called iontophoresis in the clinic. During this therapy, the hands or feet are immersed in water, which is charged with a mild electric shock. Be sure to consult a doctor for advice and a referral for therapy.
4. 4 Hot and spicy food. Spicy food triggers the same receptors on the skin that respond to heat. Therefore, when eating spicy food, the area above the upper lip and forehead often sweats. Also, the work of the sweat glands is stimulated by alcohol, caffeine. To eliminate this, minimize the amount of spicy food, coffee, and booze consumed. Sweating while eating can also be a side effect of salivary gland or neck surgery.
5. 5 Colds and diseases. Fever is the body’s way of fighting infection. During such periods, the body temperature is several degrees higher than the norm. The body begins to sweat to cool down. When the illness subsides, your internal thermostat returns to normal – about 36.6 ° C. You can reduce your fever with a drug containing paracetamol or ibuprofen. If the body temperature is elevated – 38 ° C or more – or the person has difficulty breathing, rash, vomiting, or seizures, it is imperative to seek emergency medical advice.
6. 6 Nicotine. When a person smokes, the nicotine they inhale causes the body to release a chemical called acetylcholine, which stimulates the sweat glands. The best way to combat this is to quit smoking. This will not only help regulate sweating, but it will also lower your risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
7. 7 Pregnancy and menopause. During pregnancy, changes in hormone levels increase blood flow, which slightly raises your body temperature. During menopause, the drop in estrogen affects the body’s internal temperature sensor. To reduce perspiration, it is advisable to wear light-colored clothing made from natural, breathable fabrics. It’s important to drink enough water to stay hydrated.
8. 8 Reception of medicines. Certain antidepressants, blood pressure and diabetes medications can make a person sweat more. If you are concerned about the side effect of sweating, talk with your doctor about changing your treatment or adjusting your dose. Do not make any changes to the dose of drugs without prior agreement with the doctor and testing.

Also, some health problems can trigger increased sweating. Among them are:

• diabetes;
• endocarditis (infection of the inner lining of the heart);
• fever of undetermined cause;
• generalized anxiety disorder;
• heart attack;
• heatstroke;
• HIV AIDS;
• hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland);
• leukemia;
• malaria;
• non-Hodgkin lymphomas;
• obesity;
• tuberculosis.

If sweating has begun for no apparent reason, or if you are also worried about other symptoms, pains, unusual conditions, you should definitely consult a doctor to get qualified help, diagnose the cause of sweating and eliminate it.

Types of sweating

There are several typologies for defining sweating – depending on the cause, location, prevalence on the body. Let’s consider the last two categories.

Based on the prevalence on the body, they produce local and general sweating. Local manifests itself by sweating in certain areas. So, most often, the feet, palms, forehead, and the area above the lip begin to sweat. And when general sweating the release of fluid occurs over the entire surface of the body. It is often caused by stress or is a symptom of other medical conditions.

If we put a specific localization on the body as the basis of the typology, then such types of sweating can be distinguished.

1. 1 Palmar or palmar. This is one of the most common types of sweat that causes palms to sweat. This causes some inconvenience – including the ability to hold objects, or, for example, a steering wheel.
2. 2 Plantar. This is a less socially difficult type, since sweating can be hidden with shoes, socks. However, it causes inconvenience due to its characteristic unpleasant odor.
3. 3 Axillary. The area under the arms has the highest concentration of sweat glands throughout the body. Most people notice profuse sweating in this area, especially after intense physical activity.
4. 4 Facial. This is uncomfortable because often the sweat on the face can be misinterpreted as nervousness.
5. 5 Inguinal. Localized in the groin, buttocks, vagina and / or thighs. This type of hyperhidrosis, although usually latent, is very uncomfortable and, in some cases, provokes a fungal infection.
6. 6 Overall Excessive sweating occurs throughout the body and is not limited to any specific part of it. As a rule, this is a sign of the presence of a disease in the body.

Sweating symptoms

Symptoms of excessive sweating include:

• sticky or wet palms or soles;
• excessive sweating that occurs for no apparent reason;
• cases of excessive sweating at least once a week;
• with pathological sweating of the legs and arms, the skin is often cool, and also undergoes changes due to constant exposure to moisture;
• as a separate type of hyperhidrosis, bromhidrosis is also distinguished. It manifests itself in a large amount of sweat secreted with a fetid odor.

People with sweating may experience:

• irritating and painful skin problems such as fungal or bacterial infections
• stiffness when necessary to contact other people. This often affects the type of employment they choose for themselves, social life.

Complications of sweating

Social and emotional complications – Often people with excessive sweating avoid social and professional opportunities due to embarrassment.

Maceration – This is the softening of the skin due to constant contact with moisture.

Itching Heavy sweating creates a continuous moist environment that can promote fungal growth.

Fungus and infections on the feet, often occur with sweating feet. They usually start from the area between the toes.

Bromhidrosis or unpleasant body odor. Sweat in the armpits and genitals is the most prone to odor. Sweaty feet clenched in tight shoes come in second. Keeping these areas clean and dry can help manage unpleasant symptoms.

Warts and bacterial infections. Maceration or breakdown of the skin from heavy sweating can provide easy access to bacteria and viruses that cause skin infections, including warts.

Bacterial infections: especially around the hair follicles and between the toes.

Heat rash: itching, red rash that often causes a burning or tingling sensation. A heat rash develops when the channels are blocked and sweat lingers under the skin.

Prevention of sweating

To prevent unpleasant symptoms of sweating, it is recommended to take the following actions:

1. 1 Use an antiperspirant. OTC antiperspirants contain aluminum-based compounds that temporarily block sweat. This helps to cope with moderate sweating.
2. 2 Wear loose-fitting, natural fabricssuch as cotton, silk, etc., which promote free air circulation.
3. 3 Take a contrast shower in order to remove the sweat generated. Plus, regular bathing helps control bacteria on the skin. Dry thoroughly with a towel, especially between the toes and under the armpits.
4. 4 Use talcum powder after bathto absorb excess sweat.
5. 5 Drink enough water.
6. 6 Choose shoes and socks made from natural materials. Shoes made from natural materials, such as leather, can help prevent feet from fogging by allowing the skin to breathe.
7. 7 Change your socks often. This should be done once or twice a day, wiping your feet thoroughly.
8. 8 Try relaxation techniquessuch as yoga, meditation. They help you learn to control the stress that causes sweating.

Sweating diagnostics

As a rule, the diagnosis of sweating begins with determining whether it is primary or secondary, whether it has arisen as a consequence of the presence of another disease. To do this, the doctor asks the patient about the presence of other symptoms.

Further, laboratory tests are carried out for diagnosis – blood tests, urine tests to find out the causes of increased sweating. Also, tests can be carried out directly to determine the severity of the condition – iodine-starch sweat test.

Sweating treatment in mainstream medicine

If sweating is a secondary symptom, and is a symptom of a disease, then first of all the doctor selects a treatment to eliminate this disease. Also, the therapist can refer the patient to a dermatologist. Here are the most common treatments prescribed by doctors.

Iontophoresis – hands and feet are immersed in a bowl of water and a painless electric current passes through it. Most patients require two to four 20-30 minute treatments.

Botox injections – they block the nerves that provoke the active work of the sweat glands. Hyperhidrosis patients may need multiple injections to achieve visible results.

Anticholinergic drugs – these drugs inhibit the transmission of parasympathetic nerve impulses. Patients usually notice improvement in symptoms within about 2 weeks.

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy – This surgery is only recommended in severe cases when the body does not respond to other treatments. The nerves that carry messages to the sweat glands are removed. ETS can be used to treat hyperhidrosis of the face, arms or armpits. ETS is not recommended for the treatment of foot hyperhidrosis due to the risk of permanent sexual dysfunction.

Attention!

The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!