Sweating is a natural and healthy process that functions to maintain the body's temperature. While sweat itself is odorless, bacteria thrive in sweat left on the skin, which leads to body odor. Lifestyle changes are generally sufficient to treat normal degrees of sweating and body odor. Excessive sweating or strong odor requires treatment with prescription antiperspirants or other medical interventions.
Antiperspirants and Deodorants
Most cases of sweating and body odor respond to regular, over-the-counter products. Aluminum-based antiperspirants block the sweat glands to temporarily reduce perspiration. Deodorants work to disguise or eliminate odor, but they have no effect on sweating. Most work by altering the pH of the skin to make it more acidic and less suitable for bacteria, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Severe cases of sweating and body odor may require prescription-strength aluminum chloride antiperspirants. These medications are most effective when applied at night. Washing them off in the morning can help prevent the common side effects of prescription antiperspirants, such as itching, redness and swelling.
Lifestyle Changes
Regular bathing with lukewarm water and a mild soap prevents an overgrowth of the bacteria responsible for body odor. Wearing clothing made of natural fibers, such as cotton or silk, will improve air circulation around your skin and prevent sweat from becoming trapped against your body. The Mayo Clinic recommends eliminating foods and drinks from your diet that increase your body odor, such as onions, garlic and caffeinated beverages. Shaving your armpits and washing your clothing more frequently will also help reduce body odor, according to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library.
Treatments for Excessive Sweating and Body Odor
When sweating is excessive and interferes with daily life, it is called hyperhidrosis. Procedures like iontophoresis and botulinum toxin injections can treat this degree of sweating and the accompanying increase in body odor.
Iontophoresis, a procedure that uses an electrical current to temporarily stop sweat production, is an effective treatment for excessive sweating of the hands and feet, and can help control foot odor. Injections with botulinum toxin type A can reduce underarm, palm and sole sweating by blocking the release of the neurotransmitter necessary for sweat production, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
The International Hyperhidrosis Society recommends against oral medications as a treatment for excessive sweating due to the risk of side effects these medications pose. They also consider surgery a last resort, reserved only for cases of hyperhidrosis that fail to respond to all other treatment options.
Member Comments