A slight physical effort, it is hot, a strong emotion (stress, anxiety) or even sometimes for no reason and it’s already too late: the hands become moist, drops of perspiration appear on the face, under the armpits, in the back and the anguish of continuing to sweat maintain this perspiration. Excessive perspiration? If sweating is a normal phenomenon and essential to the functioning of the body, some people have hyperhidrosis (the other name for excessive sweating). Why ? How? Can we cure and prevent? Yes, good news, solutions exist!
Excessive sweating: what are the causes?
Excessive sweating is also called hyperhidrosis and refers to excessive sweat production by the sweat glands. These sweat glands are 3 million in our body and they are mainly located on the touch sensitive areas like the palm of the hands, the soles of the feet.
There are two types of sweat glands:
– Eccrine sweat glands which are the most numerous: 2 million. They are located all over the body but especially at the level of the palms of the hand, soles, chest and forehead. The sweat emitted by these glands is odorless and composed of water, mineral salts and lactic acid and plays a role in body thermoregulation.
– Apocrine sweat glands: less numerous, they are located in the armpits, anus, nipples and the umbilical region. Larger than the eccrine glands, they have a duct that leads to a hair follicle. The sweat produced is then composed of water, mineral salts, lactic acid but also lipids, pheromones, urea and ammonia and therefore has a more marked odor.
We talk about excessive sweating when it becomes uncomfortable. This perspiration can be localized (hands, armpits, foot, face ..) or generalized with a hyperhidrosis which then touches the whole body.
There are, however, two types of hyperhidrosis:
– The first is called primary: it is the most common and this hyperhidrosis is not related to any health problem.
– Secondary hyperhidrosis is due to a health problem or a pathology which then causes abundant sweats. These pathologies can be various infections, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, sudden hypoglycemia or hot flashes related to menopause. Chronic or acute exposure to a chemical solvent may also cause symptoms of hyperhidrosis.
An adult produces about half a liter to a liter of sweat a day, but an adult in certain special circumstances (high heat, intense physical activity), can produce up to 3 liters. Sweating is a physiological and natural phenomenon essential for the body to ensure its thermal regulation, the elimination of metabolic waste but also to ensure protection by hydration of the skin and the role of immunological barrier.
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The manifestations and origins of excessive sweating
– The smells:
These odors are called hydrobromide because under the effect of cutaneous bacterial flora odorous molecules resulting from the degradation of sweat by bacteria appear.
– Hyperhidrosis:
It affects 1 French out of 4 and most often concerns the armpits, the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet and the face. Hyperhidrosis has repercussions in everyday life with sensations of discomfort related to permanent humidity or persistent bad odors. This pathology can lead to a bad feeling, an isolation or a loss of confidence in oneself. This excessive sweating begins at puberty and can result in social embarrassment, flushing, heart palpitations, but never occurs at night!
– Scientific causes:
Among the more “scientific” causes advanced: during hyperhidrosis related to stress, there would be a hyperfunctioning of the usual thermoregulation circuit initiated by the hypothalamus. A part of the brain called the anterior cortex would also play an important role and especially in the control of emotions and adaptation to various situations.
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The consequences of excessive sweating
From a physiological point of view, people with hyperhidrosis are at high risk of dehydration and the presence of this permanent moisture promotes the occurrence of various conditions such as heat sores, mycoses, warts, dermatitis contact, eczema …
At the level of the feet one will note a more frequent presence of mycosis of the nails or the feet, plantar warts, frostbite and a very fast use of the shoes which are as burned by perspiration.
Excessive perspiration: how to prevent it?
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What are the measures to take in case of perspiration?
– Choosing a suitable diet: avoid alcohol, tobacco, foods containing caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, or caffeine-based soda) and spicy food, as they stimulate the production of sweat.
– The toilet: make a toilet areas subject to hyper-transpiration with a mild soap 1 to 2 times a day and drying well to prevent maceration that could promote the appearance of mycosis.
– Wearing appropriate clothing: prefer loose clothing made of natural materials (cotton, linen, wool) and no synthetic material. For example, cotton socks to change twice a day if needed, and leather or canvas shoes rather than plastic.
– The use of adhesive pads under the armpits: they are placed directly on the skin and thus protect clothes from premature wear.
– Odor absorbers can be used in addition to the comfort of the socks and shoes and they reduce the odors due to bacterial colonization.
– Hair removal also reduces the adhesion of sweat to hair.
– Learn to master situations that cause stress: relaxation techniques for example.
– The use of a deodorant or an antiperspirant.
In the case of moderate perspiration, a simple antiseptic deodorant or not enough. It comes in addition to the body wash: it can be in stick, roll-on or spray.
In the case of perspiration abundant and / or intense: it is then necessary to take an antiperspirant care (spray with alcohol, bottle with ball), while being vigilant in case of sensitive skin not to create irritation. These antiperspirant treatments are often applied in the evening in cures of a few days.
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What are the differences between deodorants and antiperspirants (antiperspirants)?
They are often confused and yet these two products have very different effects.
– Deodorants mask odors by replacing them with perfume. They may or may not contain in their composition an antiseptic product (Triclosan, Chlorhexidine, Quaternary Ammonium, Derivatives of phenol …). Deodorants can cause intolerance reactions depending on the molecules they contain and especially in the presence of certain essential oils such as perfume.
- Deodorant care Bille – Avène
- Citrus Spray Deodorant 100ml – Weleda
- Organic Linseed Deodorant 50ml – Sanoflore
– Antiperspirants reduce the production of sweat. They are then made of metal salts (aluminum or zirconium) which can obstruct the sweat glands. Indeed, the transpiration will allow the dissolution of these salts and they will come to interact with the keratin fibers at the level of the skin to form plugs at the level of these sweat glands. They also have antibacterial properties, but they have the disadvantage of causing irritation, redness and itching on sensitive skin.
The antiperspirants show an effective action on hyperhidrosis in 3 weeks of treatment, while respecting the modalities of use. Because of the risk of irritation of these products related to the release of very small amounts of hydrochloric acid by hydrolysis of salts, it is advisable to apply these products in the evening on dry and healthy skin and not to shave in them. 48h previous. Above all, respect the terms of use and the frequency of application of the products. Ask your phramacien for advice.
- Intensive antiperspirant treatment Stress Resist ball – Vichy
- Antiperspirant 48h stick – Etiaxil
- Antiperspirant Spirital Vegetal 48h roll-on – SVR
Among the components of these antiperspirants we can find:
– Lipoamino acids with acidifying properties with a fungicidal and bactericidal action, which allows their use in preventive and curative action of mycosis in the foot.
– Inhibitors of bacterial enzymes such as lactic acid esters, which block the bacteria responsible for the appearance of bad smells.
– Odor absorbers which will then contain talc, starch, magnesium stearate, propylene glycol and are particularly suitable for treating socks and shoes.
– Or natural alum or alum stone: it is a mineral product, the most common is potassium alum which is alcohol-free and fragrance-free and has two particularly interesting properties. It is astringent and haemostatic, and has long been used to calm the razor burn and stop the bleeding of micro shaving cuts. It also reduces perspiration. Indeed, by passing the stone of alum on the skin, an invisible film of mineral salts is deposited and prevents the formation of the bacteria responsible for unpleasant odors. It is used after wetting it with water and passing several times under the armpits to protect well. This product does not stain clothing and is particularly effective in athletes for sweaty feet and hands.
- Alum stone stick – Déoroche
- Alum Stone Stick – Gravel
- Alum Stone Stick – Green Brand
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Antiperspirants, aluminum salts and breast cancer risk?
This link between the use of paraben-based antiperspirants or aluminum salts and the appearance of breast cancer remains hypothesized to date. The various studies conducted have led manufacturers to reduce the aluminum concentration to 0.6% in antiperspirant products.
Excessive perspiration: when to consult?
If sudden and unexplained hyperhidrosis is accompanied by weight loss, fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, or occurs primarily at night or only affects only one side of the body, so it is advisable to consult a doctor without delay.
The consultation of a doctor is also necessary if the hyperhidrosis is always present in spite of the measures taken (food, clothes, relaxation, antiperspirants …) and that it disturbs the daily life.
The doctor then establishes with the help of a specific questionnaire the importance of perspiration and its social and psychological impact. It also looks for possible causes for this sweating and blood and / or urine tests may be prescribed.
What treatments against excessive sweating?
Different treatments to treat hyperhidrosis can be prescribed by the doctor or the dermatologist:
– Iontophoresis sessions:
This involves soaking hands and feet (adapters also exist for the armpits) in a lukewarm bath of water through which low-intensity electrical current reduces sweat production. A dozen sessions are necessary to obtain a satisfactory result. They are done in the doctor’s office and are supported on certain criteria by health insurance. It is also possible to do it at home with a specific device. This technique can not be performed in people with a pacemaker or in pregnant women.
– Injections of botulinum toxin (BOTOX®):
This product with multiple uses (in particular aesthetic but also anti-migraine) blocks the signal transmitted by the brain to the sweat glands. These injections are only feasible by a dermatologist and the treatment is effective for 3 months. Injections (not covered by health insurance: between 100 and 200 euros per session) are then repeated at regular intervals but not at the level of the hands because they can cause paralysis of certain nerves. Contraindications to this treatment, ask your dermatologist.
– A sympathectomy:
It is a surgical procedure that cuts small nerves that trigger underarm sweating, face and hands and short incisions are made in the chest. This operation, not painful, allows to suppress the excessive perspiration only in the upper part of the body which can then compensate by hyper sweating in the lower part. Take the measure of such an operation with your doctor.
– Surgical excision of part of the sweat glands for the armpits, delicate operation done by some experienced surgeons.
– Antidepressants: when hyperhidrosis is stress, some antidepressants, beta blockers, and anxiolytics can reduce it.
There are also natural solutions:
– Phytotherapy:
There are antiperspirant plants to use in case of excessive sweating, but there are conversely sudorific plants to avoid such as: burdock, lemon balm, wild pansy, borage, plantain, elderberry, violets …
Among plants for the treatment of hyperhidrosis, horsetail and sage decoctions for external use are particularly effective in the feet. For menopausal sweating, plants such as officinal sage in mother tincture may be used.
– Aromatherapy:
A number of essential oils can be used for their anti-odor effects: essential oils of Pine, Thyme, Lavender for a regulating effect of perspiration of the feet, but also the essential oils of Sage, Palmarosa. Sprays for underarms based on essential oils are also available ready to use.
With the return of good weather and the gradual increase in the outside temperature, sweating is not inevitable and in case of excessive sweating, there are solutions! Do not let halos, sweaty hands, or bad body odors ruin your life, talk to your pharmacist who will advise you!
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