Sweating is normal and even healthy, but if you sweat profusely, you may develop hyperhidrosis. This medical problem causes excessive sweating, especially on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and the armpits. And, although it is not a serious medical problem, it can cause physical discomfort and cause embarrassing situations. However, it is possible to control and even treat it in various ways. In fact, you just have to find the formula that best suits your body.
What is sweat?
Sweat is a salty liquid produced by the glands of the skin. Thanks to perspiration, the body can cool down. Thus, sweat occurs mainly under the arms (armpits), on the feet and in the palms of the hands. When sweat mixes with bacteria on the skin it can cause a bad odor. For this reason, it is essential to use antiperspirants or deodorants to control odor.
On the other hand, when it is hot, you have a fever, you are nervous or you play sports, it is normal to sweat a lot. This also happens to some women during menopause. However, if you perspire too much, you may have a thyroid disorder, low blood sugar, or another health problem.
Also, if you perspire too little (anhidrosis) your body could overheat. The various causes of anhidrosis include dehydration, burns, and some skin disorders.
Apply antiperspirant at night
According to doctors, it is best to apply antiperspirant at night, just before sleeping. This is because it takes 6 to 8 hours for the antiperspirant to get into the sweat ducts and properly clog the pores.
In addition, the antiperspirant can be used anywhere on the body, so if you notice sweat on the palms of your hands, feet or hands, you can also apply it in these areas. You should only avoid using it on your face, as it could cause irritation.
Avoid spicy foods
Spicy foods can cause you to sweat more. For this reason, you should not eat anything that is spicy (at least during lunch on work days or when you are in an important meeting).
You should also avoid foods like garlic and onions, as these strong odors could be released through sweat. In the same way, fruits, vegetables and whole grain products help to improve the smell of sweat.
Reduce bad habits
Tobacco, alcohol, and coffee can make you sweat more. For this reason, you should reduce bad habits as much as possible. Being overweight also causes increased sweating, so losing a little weight may help you control it.
Of course, sometimes sweating is related to a hidden disease (for example, cardiovascular disease or hyperthyroidism) so you should see a doctor if you notice that you start to sweat excessively.
