|  | Conditions Treatments | Medical Conditions

Why Do Underarms Sweat a Lot?

Nobody likes the embarrassment of underarm sweat. If a person sweats a lot, others may assume she is unclean or unkempt. However, sweat is a necessity. It collects and eliminates itself from the body for a reason. We all sweat, but some people sweat more than others. Understanding sweat--what it is, why it is made and what causes some people to produce more of it than others--may change your views on it.

  1. Types of Sweat Glands

    • There are two types of sweat glands. Eccrine glands are generally found on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet and the forehead. These sweat glands are smaller than the apocrine glands, which are found under the arms and around the genitalia. The apocrine glands are responsible for producing proteins and fatty acids. It is these two components that create the yellow-tinted stains that you often see in the armpits of your shirts. They also create the odor that is often associated with sweat.

    Significance

    • Sweat production is the body's cooling system. The sweat pours out of the pores to cool the skin and ultimately lower the body's core temperature. The sweat is held in the hair follicles before it evaporates from the skin, which also aids in the cooling process.

    Why Underarms Can Sweat A Lot

    • There are several reasons why underarms can sweat more than is normal. Nervous system disorders are one possible explanation. Others include systemic illnesses, diabetes, neurological disorders and metabolic disorders. The most common reason for excessive sweating is a condition called hyperhidrosis. This a condition in which the sweat glands simply overproduce sweat. This condition usually presents itself in the late teens and if left untreated, it can continue through life.

    Other Causes of Excessive Underarm Sweating

    • Other causes of excessive underarm sweating may be psychological. There can be problems with anxiety, nervousness and other emotional disturbances. Some people have extra-large sweat glands under the arms, or have an excessive amount of sweat glands. Most people are born with between 2 million and 4 million sweat glands, but there are some people who are born with many more. Some women experience excessive underarm sweating only after reaching menopause. Excessive underarm sweating can also be genetic.

    Treatments

    • Treatment for excessive sweating usually starts with over-the-counter antiperspirants and deodorants. Antiperspirants can block the glands that produce sweat, but long periods of use are not always healthy. Deodorants help with odor but not the sweating. There are also medications that can be used, such as Botox. Botox deadens the nerves that control sweat glands, but this treatment requires frequent visits to the doctor and can have side effects. There is also a procedure that requires the insertion of a clip on the sympathetic nerves that run to the underarms. This stops the initiation of sweating.

Medical Conditions - Related Articles