Using Anti-Perspirant is No Sweat

I was going to write about having fun in the Sun and skin cancer...but that's a story to save for day with a UV index of 11+(like next week). Today, I'd like to talk about something really gross that we may be all experiencing in this blazing summer. That my stinky friends is perspiration--that nasty, embarrassing sensation you get when your underarms are soaked and everyone you know is running away from you in opposite direction. The question is, why does this have to happen to you?!

If your A/C breaks down because of a blackout, don't sweat because you've got a personal one right in your body! Sweating is your body's healthy way of reaching homeostasis when your core body temperature is higher than normal, 98.6 F. The Sun's heat, regular exercise, anxiety, menopause, fever and nausea can all stimulate the sweat glands and produce that nasty sticky stuff all over your body to cool you down. Sweating removes poisons from the body and for that reason many people religiously visit saunas and sweat lodges.

(Photo Credit: Corey Aumiller, Blogspot )

2.6 million sweat glands perspirate everyday under the dermis layer of your skin from head to toe. There are two types of sweat glands, the ecrrine glands and the aprocrine glands. The eccrine sweat glands are the most prevalent and are open directly to the skin. When stimulated, they make that yucky solution of minerals (it depends on the person) like sodium, chlorine, potassium and compounds like ammonia, urea and sugar that come out of your sweat ducts. Aprocine sweat glands are mainly found in hairy areas like the pits, genital area and scalp. These glands release sweat through the opening of the hair follicle. Aprocrine sweat is especially sweaty because in addition to its other components, it also contains small amouns to fatty acids and proteins. The bacteria that lives on your skin (you know it's there) metabolizes off these additions because they love it. That's why your pits stank, got thick and turned yellow and has such a disgusting connotation. But in reality, sweat is just a clear, odorless fanner always there when you need its coolness.

Let's be honest, people sweat all the time and it's nothing to worry about! Believe it or not, it's always good for you...except when in over-the-top excess or deficit. You know you have to see the doctor when you sweat way too much because of the condition hyperhydrosis, or you no longer have the ability to sweat normally because of anhidrosis. Hidromeoisis is when your sweating rate declines because of hot environmental conditions like the heat outdoors or a hot tub.

Did you know sweating's controlled by the nervous system, heat-related or not? A part of the brain called the hypothalmus contains thermosensitive neurons responsible for thermoregulation--control of your core temperature. These neurons send/receive signals to/from the epidermis' temperature receptors and that's what gets your sweat glands to start brewing that awful concoction. Once sweat surfaces, though, the job's not done. It is the evaporation of your sweat that cools you down.

If you don't want to smell, the easy way out is to jump in the shower or take a bath! But for everyday protection, it's best to use an antiperspirant or deodorant (no, they're not the same). Antipersperants have aluminum based compounds as an active ingredient that instantly block the pore of your sweat glands by 20%, but there's a catch! They only work for a short while. Most deodorants can't do that--they are alcohol based, acidic and use fragrances to disguise the icky odor. Wear loose-fitting, natural fiber clothing and please change your socks frequently!

Nervous people sweat too, and it's pretty obvious on their forehead, face, palms and soles of feet. Teens sweat a lot too because of overproduction of hormones. And, I think it's fair to say it's always stinkier in the guys' locker room since men sweat quicker and up to twice as much as women. Why do you think that is? Don't be shy to add your thoughts, comments and suggestions below!

References

1. Sherwood, Chris. Livestrong.com, Lance Armstrong Foundation, "How Sweat Works Throughout the Body."Last modified October 21, 2009.

2. Mayo Clinic, "Sweating and Body Odor." Last modified December 9,2010.

3.Office of Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "Sweating-Body." Last modified October 13, 2010

4. Dowshen, Dr. Steven. Kidshealth.org, Nemours Foundation, "What's Sweat?." Last modified July 2009.

5.US National Library of Medicine, NIH National Institutes of Health, "Sweat." Last modified December 7,2011.

6Discovery Heath, Discovery Communication, "What is in an antiperspirant that stops sweat?." Last modified 2005.