Sweating plays a crucial role in our bodies, but it can be an annoyance when it becomes excessive. Among the areas most affected by excessive sweating is the armpits, a condition often known as axillary hyperhidrosis. This article will take you through the causes, implications and the solution to this condition, while answering the question, how is excessive sweating treated?
Understanding Armpit Sweat
Armpit sweating, or axillary sweating, is a necessary body function. Our bodies contain sweat glands, and a significant proportion of these glands are located in the armpits. These eccrine and apocrine glands produce sweat when the body’s temperature rises, releasing it onto the skin’s surface. The cooling evaporation effect aids in maintaining body temperature.
In addition to temperature control, armpit sweating also plays a role in our olfactory communication. The bacteria in our armpits feed off certain compounds in sweat to produce body odour, which can signal various biological factors.
What Causes Excessive Armpit Sweat?
While regular armpit sweat is often tied to heat or physical exertion, various factors can trigger excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis. It can be innately genetic, or be a result of underlying health conditions such as: obesity, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, menopause, nervous system disorders, and certain medications.
The Implications of Excessive Armpit Sweat
Excessive armpit sweat can impact a person’s life significantly. Beyond its physical discomfort, it can lead to embarrassing sweat marks and armpit stains, and contribute to body odor issues. Furthermore, it may also impact self-esteem, social interactions, and mental health, leading to conditions such as social anxiety and depression.
How is Excessive Sweating Treated?
The treatment for excessive armpit sweat depends on factors like its severity, potential underlying health conditions, and a person’s response to traditional remedies. Before commencing treatment, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist to understand the root cause and devise an effective treatment plan.
Basic treatments include using stronger antiperspirants that contain aluminium chloride and wearing fabrics that allow the skin to breathe. In more serious cases, treatments may include iontophoresis (a process that uses water to deliver a mild electrical current through the skin), Botox injections, or prescription medication. For severe hyperhidrosis, surgical options like endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) may be considered, where the nerves triggering excessive sweating are severed or clamped.
Living with Excessive Armpit Sweat
While managing excessive armpit sweat might seem challenging, it’s possible to live comfortably with the condition. By understanding its triggers, you can adapt your lifestyle accordingly. Activities like regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, practising stress management techniques, and staying hydrated can significantly improve symptoms.
Beyond the mentioned, it’s essential to remember that excessive sweating is a common condition experienced by millions worldwide. If you’re one of those people, you are not alone. Professional help is available, and with the right plan, you will manage it successfully.