10 tips against excessive perspiration

10 tips against excessive perspiration

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Transpiring, or sweating, is something we all do. However, some people perspire more than others. It can happen that you sweat more than normal; this is called excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). In daily life, excessive sweating can be a major hindrance. Below, I give 10 tips against excessive sweating; perhaps you'll find the solution to combat this annoying problem here.

1. Diet - eat less spicy food

Certain spices, pepper, onions, and garlic can worsen perspiration. Therefore, pay close attention to your diet.

2. Hygiene - daily showering

Daily showering is important to keep bacteria in the sweating area under control. I also recommend rinsing with cold water afterwards, as this helps keep your body temperature low.

3. Clothing - wear clean clothes every day

Sweat remains in your clothes. By wearing clean clothes daily, bacteria from old sweat don't get a chance to thrive.

4. Clothing material

Wear clothes made of natural materials, such as cotton. This allows your skin to 'breathe' better. Also, do not wear overly tight clothing.

5. Shaving

If you suffer from excessive perspiration in the armpits, it is advisable to shave this area regularly. This gives bacteria less chance to settle, reducing unpleasant odors.

6. Prevent stress

Stress is a factor that makes you sweat even more. If you already suffer from excessive perspiration, it is important to prevent stress as much as possible.

7. Avoid caffeine and alcohol

Caffeine activates the body and raises body temperature, resulting in sweating. Alcohol has the property of dilating your blood vessels and signaling your sweat glands to get to work. Replace coffee or alcohol with a glass of cold water. By drinking enough cold water, your body temperature stays low.

8. Deodorant - pharmacy

Sweat itself does not naturally smell; it is the bacteria that give it an odor. Deodorants that effectively remove bacteria can be obtained from the pharmacy. These can often only be used once a week.

9. Weight

Overweight and sweating go hand in hand. Therefore, always try to maintain a healthy weight.

10. Botox for excessive sweating

If the above tips don't offer a solution for you and your daily life is still affected by excessive perspiration, an anti-perspiration Botox treatment may help you to remedy this problem. Botulinum toxin (Botox) blocks the nerve that controls the sweat gland. Two weeks after the treatment, you will no longer sweat. During the period you don't sweat, you will also not suffer from unpleasant odors.

Sweating is normal

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Sweat is a clear, salty fluid produced by glands in your skin. The drops of fluid that appear on the skin cool down, which in turn cools the body. It is normal for someone to sweat due to heat, emotions, tension, and exertion. There are also certain factors that can trigger sweating. Examples include strongly spiced food, hormonal changes, or alcohol and drug use.

The function of sweating

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Sweating is a way to regulate our body temperature. As soon as the body temperature becomes too high, a signal is sent from the hypothalamus (part of our brain) to our nerves. The hypothalamus is also called the 'thermostat' of our body. The central nervous system is very precise in regulating body temperature. A temperature that is too low or too high can be fatal. As soon as the body temperature threatens to rise above 37 degrees, a start signal is given from the nerves to the sweat glands. The sweat glands then work hard to lower the body temperature.

Excessive sweating

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Excessive sweating is characterized by a constant excessive production of sweat that has nothing to do with regulating body temperature. Excessive sweating, also known as Hyperhidrosis, can be divided into primary Hyperhidrosis and secondary Hyperhidrosis.

Primary Hyperhidrosis

In primary Hyperhidrosis, someone sweats excessively due to an overactive nervous system. The hypothalamus in our brain continuously sends an incorrect signal to our nervous system, causing the sweat glands to be incorrectly stimulated. Primary Hyperhidrosis is limited to areas such as armpits, palms, soles of the feet, and face, often with a hereditary predisposition.

Secondary Hyperhidrosis

In secondary Hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating is caused by a physical or psychological reason. Excessive sweating can occur over the entire body, often appears suddenly, and is the result of another condition. Examples include medication use, hormonal changes, illness, or obesity.

References

[1] Konstantinovsky, M. (2020). Why do we sweat? https://www.getroman.com/health-guide/why-do-we-sweat/ [2] Sato K, Kang WH, Saga K, Sato KT. (1989). Biology of sweat glands and their disorders. I. Normal sweat gland function. J Am Acad Dermatol; 20: 537-63. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0190962289700633 [3] NIH (2019). Hyperhidrosis. Retrieved from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007259.htm [4] Stachenfeld, N. S., Silva, C., & Keefe, D. L. (2000). Estrogen modifies the temperature effects of progesterone. Journal of Applied Physiology, 88(5), 1643–1649. https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/jappl.2000.88.5.1643 [5] Kim, T.-W., Shin, Y.-O., Lee, J.-B., Min, Y.-K., & Yang, H.-M. (2011). Caffeine Increases Sweating Sensitivity via Changes in Sudomotor Activity During Physical Loading. Journal of Medicinal Food, 14(11), 1448–1455. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21883004 [6] Yoda T, Crawshaw LI, Nakamura M, Saito K, Konishi A, Nagashima K, Uchida S, Kanosue K. (2005). Effects of alcohol on thermoregulation during mild heat exposure in humans. Alcohol. 2005 Jul;36(3):195-200. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16377461 [7] Bouwens, S., Mare, S. & Visch, M.B. Botox voor axillaire hyperhidrosis in de dagelijkse praktijk. https://nvdv.nl/storage/app/media/NTvDV01_2021.pdf#page=3