Sweating is a normal function of the body. Sweating is a regulatory function of the body which helps in regulation of body temperature and excretes waste products from the body. Sweat can come out from any part of the body where there are skin pores.
Armpit sweating is the main topic of discussion because of its effects on people who over sweat from there. It can be embarrassing and can also affect an individual socially. It is an experience that starts from the age of puberty and throughout life. During puberty, alot of changes occur in the body which often leads to over-sweating from the armpit. The armpit produce sweat from two major sweat glands called :
i. Apocrine (which secrets an oil-like protein ) and
ii. Eccrine (which produces the watery sweat).
Part of the changes that occur in the body during puberty is development of more sweat glands in the armpit which becomes more active. These active glands at this period produce more oilier and smellier sweat which makes the individual to have a very bad body odour.Sweat on its own does not smell but when its not cleaned, micro-organisms will act on the protein and fatty content of sweat which in turn produces the bad odour.
CAUSES OF BODY ODOUR
There are many causes of body odour and they include :
i.poor hygiene.
ii.over-sweating.
iii.inborn errors of metabolism.
iv. uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.
v. eating of certain foods.
Vi.tooth and oral conditions eg periodontal disease,gingivitis etc.
vii.psychological conditions.
viii.Drugs, herbs, toxins eg arsenic poison.
ix.Infections like lung abscess, STD,UTI etc.
x.Liver or kidney failure.
xi.Tumour/cancer of cervix/uterus.
EFFECT OF BODY ODOUR
a. Social effects :
i. Withdrawal of friends.
ii.withdrawal of the individual from social activities.
iii.it can lead to inferiority complex.
iv.it makes the person to be angry always
v.always ashamed and frustrated.
vi.can lead to depression.
b. It can also lead to mental retardation and death depending on the cause of the body odour.
PREVENTION OF BODY ODOUR.
Body odour generally can be prevented based on the aforementioned cause which include
i. monitoring of blood sugar level.
ii. treatment of the various infections etc.
But for the purpose of this discussion, the preventive measure for people who have body odour due to over-sweating from the armpit include:
i. regular shaving of hairs of the armpits.
ii. treatment of the cause of the body odour.
iii. avoid wearing dirty clothes.
iv. regular and adequate washing of the armpit with soap and sponge.
v. use of good body sprays.
TREATMENT OF BODY ODOUR DUE TO OVER-SWEATING OF THE ARMPIT.
a. wash regularly with soap and clean water.
b. adequate personal hygiene eg regular shaving.
c. use of deodorants with an antipersperant to help prevent sweating.
d. taking of balanced diet.
