Facts About Sweating and How to Solve Your Body Odor Problem

Your physical look may not primarily play a factor in determining your social outlook but how you smell plays a vital role in how you make your very first impression. Therefore, it is important to take appropriate measures to control your body odor.

The Facts about Sweating

When you exercise, are nervous, under stress, or are in a hot environment especially when the temperature goes up, you sweat easily, which may create a problem. Although there is nothing to worry about with this type of sweating as it is considered as natural and normal if it is not prolonged for a longer period. You may be concerned, however, if your sweat carries an odor.

Basically, sweat is an odorless body secretion that consists of salt, metabolic waste (such as lactic acid and urea), electrolytes (such as sodium, chloride and potassium) and water. Biologically, sweating is a reflection of how your body controls its temperature during which excessive heat is produced or during physical exertion, in particular during the hotter weather. Nevertheless, hyperhidrosis is not always associated with such circumstances.

Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweat is due to overactive sweat glands which may cause sweating at inappropriate times. Hyperhidrosis can cause specific parts of your body to become sweaty, notably under your armpits, in your palms and it mostly affects groin, back, head, face and feet, which can be embarrassing and annoying. Primary axillary hyperhidrosis or a condition of excessive underarm sweating, for example, is one of the most annoying conditions which can bear a negative impact on one’s social communication.

To self-diagnose the existence of hyperhidrosis, you can perform a simple iodine-starch test. In order to perform this test, apply iodine to a body part that produces excessive sweat. Once the iodine dried, apply the starch over it. Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis is indicated by the presence of blue color.

How to Solve Your Body Odor Problem?

Here are some body odor solutions to be considered:

Change Your Diet: It is advisable to select foods that can help improve bowel movement and digestion. Avoid foods and drinks that can make you sweat, including spicy- rich or spicy diets, hot drinks/soup, and alcohol. You may also need to stay away from ingredients or dishes with strong odors, especially when onions and/or garlic are(is) added as they(it) will worsen your existing body odor. Apart from that, you need to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day to help keep your body cool and hydrated.

Surgery: Surgery is also an option as a last resort when other treatments/solutions do not work at all. The surgery here involves retrodermal curettage which removes the sweat glands usually under the armpits, or endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy which severs the nerve signals that trigger sweating.

Prescribed Topical Lotions, Deodorants or Antiperspirants: Considering as the first defense of odor treatment, they are used to help block sweat ducts. In turn, these application help reduce the amount of sweat reaching the surface of the skin. You are not recommended to apply them directly to your sweaty skin as they may cause irritation. Hence, prior to applying, you are advised to shower and dry your body thoroughly.

Botox Treatment: Used together with topical agents, botox is used to resolve body odor problems particularly with excessive underarm sweating. Botox neurotoxin will help control this odor problem by temporarily blocking chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate sweat glands, and also to effectively stop the sweating.

Final remark:

If you are experiencing prolonged excessive sweating or/and excessive sweating at inappropriate times for 3 days or more, please consult a specialist immediately!

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Take care, stay well and stay healthy!