Excessive Sweating
Excessive sweating cures are needed when the natural and healthy cooling process of sweating is not functioning properly. Some people sweat more than others. Sometimes sweating is more excessive than expected for the temperature of the environment. In medical terms, excessive sweating is referred to as Hyperhidrosis.
This condition is caused by hyperactivity of the sweat glands. This ailment affects approximately 2 percent of the earth’s population. Excessive sweating can be very uncomfortable when it is a continual and/or frequent occurrence. It also causes various functional and social problems.
Hyperhidrosis normally affects the entire body. This is general hyperhidrosis and is caused by metabolic disorders. Sometimes, hyperhidrosis affects specific body parts like the hands (Palmar Hyperhidrosis), the feet (Plantar Hyperhidrosis) and the underarms (Axillary Hyperhidrosis). Hyperhidrosis can localized to the groin, facial, or cranial areas as well. If you sweat excessively on your palms or soles, your skin can appear blue-white or pink. Some may develop sores and cracks on the feet.
Hyperhidrosis can be primary or secondary which we will discuss later. Hyperhidrosis can be managed effectively. There are many medications and treatments available. Antiperspirants, anti-anxiety medications, oral medications like anticholinergic drugs, and Botox injections provide relief. Surgery can be a treatment option. Many do not choose surgical solutions for hyperhidrosis due to the extensive side effects and high costs.
Hyperhidrosis is best treated with simple home remedies and other natural treatments. You can practice yoga, meditation, and other relaxation techniques to lower anxiety levels and nervousness. Specific foods, smells, or drinks can trigger anxiety and thereby increase your sweating. Try to identify such factors and do your best to stay away from them. Hypnosis can also be effective in treating hyperhidrosis.
If you are overweight, reduction in body fat will greatly improve your hyperhidrosis. If your feet sweat excessively, try using absorbent insoles in your shoes. The insoles will decrease sweat in the shoes and make you feel more comfortable. You can use liberal amounts of talcum or face powder in places you sweat most. This will absorb the sweat. Talcum powder can cause messy white coatings in such places.
Restricting your diet can provide relief from hyperhidrosis. Avoid salty and spicy foods. Reduce your consumption of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. Wear cool and light-colored clothes in summer. Do not wear silk or nylon. Change shirts and dresses often to keep your body dry.
What is Sweating?
Sweating, perspiration or transpiration is a process through which the body releases salty liquid through the sweat glands. Sweating is one of the essential functions that help the body to stay cool. Therefore, in hot climatic conditions or after exertion, the body starts sweating. Sweating may also occur because of nausea and nervousness.
Sweat mostly contains water, minerals, urea and lactate. Composition of these minerals differs from individual to individual. In humans, sweating means thermoregulation. Sweating commonly occurs on the feet, under the arms and on the palms.
How Sweat Works
The average person possesses approximately 2.6 million sweat glands, which are present throughout the body except for external genital organs, nipples, and lips.
The sweat gland is a hollow tube, which is long and coiled. The coiled part of the sweat gland is where the sweat forms, and the long duct carries the sweat to the outer surface. The nerve cells of the sympathetic nervous system connect to the sweat glands.
There are two conditions that cause the nerves to stimulate the sweat glands, these are heat and emotional stress. Sweating caused by our emotions often occurs in the soles of our feet and palms of our hands, while heat induced sweating takes place throughout the entire body.
The Function of the Sweat Gland
As mentioned earlier, the body consists of approximately 2.6 million sweat glands that regulate us to maintain a regular body temperature.
Our skin possesses two different groups of sweat glands, which are as follows:
1. Apocrine Sweat Glands
2. Merocrine Sweat Glands
The Functions:
1. Thermoregulation: Sweat glands ooze sweat that in return cools the skin surface and reduces the body temperature. This cooling forms the primary function of normal sweat glands.
2. Excretion: Sweat gland secretions also provide a major excretory route for electrolytes, water and for a number of drugs.
3. Protection: Sweat gland secretion also serves as protection from risky environmental exposure by discouraging microorganism growth and diluting harmful chemicals.
Why Do We Sweat?
As mentioned earlier, sweating is a process through which our body regulates the bodily temperature. Sweat makes us feel uncomfortable, but without the sweat, our bodily heat would be intolerable and could also lead to heatstroke. Sweat helps keep the body at the normal temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius).