Sweating is the body's way of moderating internal temperature. Sweat − salt water − is secreted from pores in the skin and then evaporated from the surface of the skin. This process of evaporation radiates energy away from the skin, cooling the body down.
Sweat in itself doesn't actually smell. Body odour is caused by the waste products of bacteria that are found naturally on the skin, which thrive in humid sweaty environments, hence odour being more noticeable under the arms.
Hyperhidrosis is a condition that gives rise to excessive sweating. While hyperhidrosis does not pose a serious threat to health, it can cause significant emotional and psychological distress, embarrassment and can have a negative impact on a person's quality of life.
Hyperhidrosis is fairly common. For example, an estimated three percent of people in England (1.53 million) are affected. Primary hyperhidrosis typically begins during the teenage years or early adulthood (between 20 and 25). It affects men and women equally. Secondary hyperhidrosis can begin at any age and depends on the underlying health condition. Perhaps the biggest challenge in treating hyperhidrosis is that so many people are reluctant to seek medical advice, either because of embarrassment or a mistaken belief that nothing can be done to improve their symptoms. However, the outlook for hyperhidrosis is good and there is a range of different treatments that have proved effective in controlling symptoms.
© NHS Direct 2010. Reproduced here with permission.
