Sweat

Sweat

Sweating (perspiration) is natural and necessary, and the body's way of regulating temperature. Several factors can trigger sweating. Stress and emotions often lead to sweating on the face, under the arms and on the hands and feet, while sweating due to increased body temperature is usually distributed over the whole body.

Why do you sweat?

- It is completely normal to get visible sweating, and it does not mean that there is anything wrong with you, says pharmacist at LenaPharm, Ruben Kufaas Fossli.

Sweating is a natural process, it is the body's way of maintaining a stable temperature. Sweat consists mainly of water, and when the water evaporates from the body, excess heat is removed. Other substances in the sweat can be salts, urea and fatty substances.

How much you sweat varies from person to person, but it depends on a number of things. For example, you sweat more in stressful situations, during exercise and when it's hot. The food you eat (especially strong food), medicines, hormones and different periods of life can also affect sweat production. It is common for increased sweat production during menopause and during pregnancy. Some may also be genetically burdened with a lot of sweating, especially in those who sweat a lot on their hands and feet.

Sweating can also be a symptom of various diseases, but as a rule it is harmless.

When do you sweat abnormally much?

Some people sweat more than the body needs, and this can be seen as embarrassing. For the vast majority of people, good body hygiene and the use of deodorant will prevent sweat from becoming a problem.

- Abnormal sweating is defined as an amount of sweat that is not functional, i.e. when the sweat glands release more sweat than necessary. This is called hyperhidrosis, says Ruben.

If you suddenly get an increased amount of sweat, this can also be a sign of illness. Sweating can also be a side effect of medication.

Why does sweat smell bad?

All sweat is initially odorless, but it starts to smell when it collects on the skin and comes into contact with bacteria. Sweat that comes from areas with a lot of hair contains some fat, and this fat the bacteria use as fuel. It is the breakdown of these fatty substances that gives the smell of sweat. The sweat glands elsewhere on the body mainly secrete salts and water, and therefore this sweat does not create as much smell.

How to reduce sweat?

It may be a good idea to have several deodorants/antiperspirants to choose from. This way you can adapt the smell and effect according to your needs. For example, you can use one product for work, one for training and one for a party.

Stress down! Stress can lead to increased sweating.

Limit your intake of caffeine, alcohol and strong foods that can contribute to you sweating more.

A daily bath or shower can help reduce the amount of bacteria on the skin and thus prevent body odor in connection with sweating.

Choose socks, shoes and clothes made from natural materials. Some synthetic materials do not allow the skin to breathe enough.

Change your shoes and socks often if you suffer from sweaty feet.