Dear Readers,

Ms M. writes LIFELINE from South Camp Road, Kingston. She read a Lifeline article about excessive sweating. In that article, the person involved did not suffer from body odour (BO) Ms M said she not only sweats heavily under her arms but the sweat has a very bad odour that is really 'green'.

This problem has affected her for more than 10 years and, although she has tried, she has been unable to solve the problem. It causes social embarrassment as she tries to stay on her own at work and doesn't like getting close to her co-workers. She has been to various doctors but the problem persists.

Patience

Some problems are not easily overcome and requires patience, effort and commitment. Ms M. has to address her problem on two fronts. She has to decrease the volume of sweating and eliminate body odour.

Some people sweat more because their metabolic rate increases to higher levels in response to physical exercise, anxiety and other stressful conditions. In another group, the sweat glands are overactive. This can be because their skin is more densely packed with sweat glands in specific areas such as the underarms, groin, palms of hands and sides of feet or because their sweat glands are overactive. Whatever the cause, the result is embarrassing.

An overactive thyroid or adrenal gland can also result in excessive general sweating. This excessive sweat can become odorous when the bacteria and yeast present on the skin act on the superficial, decaying and sloughing cells and debris which accumulate in the skin and become mixed with sweat on the skin. The breakdown or decay of dead cells, mixed with sweat, leads to the production of bad-smelling gasses (noxious odours) known medically as bromhidrosis. Potentially, this condition is even more embarrassing than just excessive sweating.

Find cause

Treatment for excessive sweating will depend on the cause. Applications of aluminium chloride solution at nights to the affected areas (and washing it off in the mornings) will help the skin sweat less in some individuals. Medical causes will require specific medical attention and the stress factor is reduced not only with medication but with healthy lifestyle measures and implementing ways to permanently de-stress one's life - shorter work hours, yoga, pleasant, quiet pastimes, modifying one's life goals to include the appreciation of a beautiful sunset now and then.

The matter of body odour, or brimhidrosis, is not easy to eliminate. Lifestyle changes are also necessary. Chemicals with the traces and scents of the foods we eat are present in our sweat. The person with BO needs to get to know their own body more intimately. When there is a particular problem with BO, the person should chart what was eaten and drunk on that day and how the food was prepared, curry, spices, garlic, onions, food colouring etc. See if any common food kinds can be identified which scent can combine with debris and germs on the skin to produce BO.

In addition, the person with BO has to be very careful with personal hygiene. Shave unnecessary hair and keep the body cool. Bathe more than once a day. Apply a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution, or a mild baking soda solution, to the affected areas as these agents will help to remove offensive germs. At times, topical antibacterial creams can be applied directly to the skin areas involved to remove the odour causing bacteria.

Sulphur supplements

When perspiration smells like garlic, taking sulphur supplements can be useful when used at intervals, several times a day for a week. The natural vitamin stores (or the Internet) can provide more information on the use of sulphur. Note, however, that several people are allergic to sulphur and a physician's guidance is always preferred. Body odour has also been linked to low zinc levels. Zinc supplements, taken for one to two months, might help correct the problem.

Avoid harsh soaps which can irritate the skin and wear loose cool clothing such as cotton. Keep your surroundings cool.

It should become obvious to all, who are concerned with BO, there is no quick fix. Long-term measures need to be put in place and sometimes lifestyle changes are required.

Look for changes in body scent, over weeks to months, after implementing changes which need to be permanent.

Write Lifeline

P.O. Box 1731

Kingston 8