You’ve heard the reports about alcohol being good for your health and you’ve also heard the ones about alcohol being best avoided for good health. Next month, we’ll take a look at some of these news items and sort through the effects of alcohol.
Today nearly every adult Canadian uses an antiperspirant or deodorant. However, choosing an antiperspirant or deodorant can be a daunting task when you are faced with shelf upon shelf of these products.
It wasn’t always so difficult. Historically there were few choices. Early Egyptians used various perfumes such as almonds, myrrh, frankincense and cinnamon mixed with oils to conceal body odour. In 1888 the first antiperspirant, Mum, which meant to keep mum or quiet about perspiration, was manufactured. Since then, the number and variety of products has increased!
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Antiperspirants and deodorants both target sweat glands of two different types. The eccrine or “true” sweat glands are coiled glands that lie deep within your skin, especially on your palms, soles, face, and in your armpits. These coiled glands are connected to the skin surface by ducts which excrete sweat. When sweat evaporates on your skin surface, body heat is dispelled and temperature regulated.
The eccrine sweat glands are controlled by your nervous system. When you are overheated, the rise in temperature stimulates nerves which in turn cause the glands to sweat. However, emotional stimulation, stress, and hot, spicy foods can also cause such stimulation and sweating.
The volume of sweat produced can range from negligible to a maximum of 12 litres in 24 hours, but on average most people sweat about one litre each day. Sweat usually has no odour, although food odour, for example garlic, can be excreted in the sweat.
It is the second type, namely the apocrine sweat glands that are responsible for perspiration odour. They are also coiled glands, but these ducts open into hair follicles. Their sweat is odourless when secreted, but it develops an odour when bacteria normally found on the skin cause decomposition.
Apocrine glands are poorly developed in children, becoming active with puberty. Although the glands seem to have no purpose, they may have evolved from a mechanism of sexual attraction. The rate of secretion is intermittent, varies greatly among individuals, and is not affected by temperature. Instead, it responds to emotions.
Some underarm moisture or hidrosis and odour or bromhidrosis is normal, but socially may be considered offensive. Sometimes, excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis may be caused by an underlying medical condition like nervous system abnormalities, thyroid problems, or even disorders of the sweat glands themselves. With treatment of the condition, excess sweating diminishes.
However, sweating, excessive or not, can be unpleasant, damage clothing, and mar self-esteem and self-image.
Most antiperspirants contain aluminum compounds which act by squeezing the ducts closed or plugging them, preventing sweat from reaching the skin’s surface. Some antiperspirant stones or crystals work on the same principle, in that they also deposit minerals on the skin surface that close sweat glands.
Ideally, antiperspirants should be applied to dry, intact skin to prevent being “washed off” and to avoid skin irritation. They also need some time to be effective. If your antiperspirant doesn’t seem to be working, try applying it at bedtime in order to let it soak into your skin overnight.
Deodorants are intended to cope with odour and may contain perfumes, antiseptics to prevent bacterial growth, or ingredients that absorb excess moisture.
Often commercial products contain both deodorant and antiperspirant ingredients. Effectiveness can vary and may depend upon the formulation. Gels sometimes contain alcohol which has a drying effect. Roll-on products are either water or alcohol based and must evaporate to work, while solids are considered the most effective in delivering the active ingredients to the skin surface.
Regardless of what product you choose, good personal hygiene is essential to controlling sweating and odour. Regular bathing followed by an application of your antiperspirant and/or deodorant is needed.
Remember you may need to try several products until you find the one that is just right for you.
Marie Berry is a lawyer/pharmacist interested in health care and education.
