Dear Readers,

D.L. writes Lifelinefrom St. Catherine. He works with a private security company in Kingston and is very active during the days. Still, he is convinced that he is sweating too much. His shirts always seem to have large wet stains under the arms and down the back and sometimes it causes him some embarrassment. He is asking what can be done to decrease sweating.

Sweating, or perspiring, is a very natural bodily function. It is one of the methods the body utilises to keep itself cool and to maintain a constant body temperature. When the body is too hot for too long the organs do not function properly. This is why people sweat more in the heat or after physical exercise, to lower the body temperature and cool the body. People also sweat more when they are stressed and worried.

During these hot summer months increased sweating is to be expected especially if the person is very active physically and working outside of an air-conditioned environment.

Some people do seem to sweat excessively and the increased sweating may affect the entire body or may be confined to specific regions of the body such as under the arms (armpits). The palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, the undersides of the breasts in some women or even in the groin region.

The cause of increased sweating which is localised to a specific area is really unknown although psychological problems which the person is experiencing may play a role.

Generalised increased sweating can also be caused by gland problems, adrenal gland hyperactivity or an unknown low-grade fever.

A proper check-up with the general practitioner is recommended. When heavy sweating is complicated by a high body odour this can be due to yeast and bacteria on the skin which interact with dead cellular material causing an unpleasant odour.

When sweating is localised and anxiety is thought to be a factor, it should be treated with anti-anxiety and anti-depression drugs. In cases of severe underarm sweating the sweat glands in the axial (armpit) can be removed surgically to solve the problem, however, this is a rarely performed procedure.

Aluminium chloride solution can also be applied to the affected area at nights and washed off in the mornings. This helps some people; when sweat is odorous the person has to be very careful with their personal hygiene, keeping the hairy areas shaved and applying both hydrogen peroxide solution and topical antibiotic creams to these areas during the day to destroy bacteria and other germs on the skin.

The person's diet should consist of fresh vegetables and a lot of fruit with some roots and tubers. The consumption of foods originating from animals should be minimised. Zinc supplements, sulphur, and grapefruit seed extracts have been found to reduce perspiration odour and can be used as dietary supplements (note, some people are allergic to sulphur).

Wash often and wear lightweight, loose clothing and remember, sweating is a normal body function and we are currently in the midst of a hot summer. If concerns persist then see a dermatologist.