Sweat: What's Healthy and What's Not
April Daniels Hussar,SELF magazine
Feeling a little hot and sweaty lately? It's not just you: The first half of 2012 was declared the hottest six-month period ever on record by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Climatic Data Center.
But heat waves aside, if you've been wondering A.) if you're sweatier than the average person and B.) if there's anything you can do about embarrassing underarm stains, the answers are -- maybe, and yes!
According to dermatologist David M. Pariser, M.D., there's no such thing as strictly "normal" when it comes to sweating. The average person has two to four MILLION sweat glands, and "there is a wide variety in the amount of sweating," he says, adding that men tend to produce about twice as much sweat as women.
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However, he says, if you find that you often have wet underarms, or even wet palms or soles of your feet, and you're not hot, stressed or exercising at the time, you might want to consider seeking professional advice.
Why? It's possible that you could suffer from hyperhidrosis -- also known as excessive sweating. Affecting 205 million people worldwide, Dr. Pariser, who is a founding board member of the International Hyperhidrosis Society, says this totally treatable skin condition is a real and recognized medical condition that causes people to sweat four or five times the amount that is needed to keep cool.
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If you're embarrassed by the amount you sweat or it bothers you for any reason (like you can't wear certain types of fabrics!), Dr. Pariser says the first thing you should do is try a "clinical strength" antiperspirant. But don't make the mistake of thinking you should only apply it in the morning -- in fact, he says, since sweat production is lower at night, applying antiperspirant before you go to bed gives the active ingredients a better chance to get into your pores and block perspiration in the morning when you really get moving.
Another tip: antiperspirants don't only work on underarms! According to an International Hyperhidrosis Society fact sheet, "You can glide, stick, spray, and roll-on nearly anywhere that sweating is a problem -- think hands, feet, face, back, chest, and even groin." But, they caution, make sure you talk to a dermatologist before putting antiperspirants anywhere "too sensitive."
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If over-the-counter methods aren't working for you, a professional who understands and can treat the problem could be your best bet, says Dr. Periser. There are a variety of way to treat excessive sweating, including prescription-strength antiperspirants, Botox injections, a new FDA-cleared microwave treatment called miraDry and, in really severe cases, surgery.
The important thing, Dr. Periser says, is to understand that there are a lot of misconceptions about sweating -- first and foremost that "sweaty people have poor hygiene or are out of shape." Not true! No matter how much you sweat, help is available. In fact (we have to say it) ... sweat is nothing to sweat about!
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