Why is it that whenever you see your crush your palms start sweating, your underarms get wet and drops of sweat form above your lip? What's going on? It's normal - so don't sweat it. Just read on.
I Sweat A Lot!
I sweat a lot more than an average girl. I wear deodorant but it still soaks right through my shirt. What should I do? It's embarrassing walking around with sweat marks under your arms! sum41chick
The Human Body - Your Sweat Glands
Sweating is totally normal and everyone has to deal with this smelly bodily function. Did you know that there are close to 2.6 million sweat glands in the human body? You can find them everywhere except on your lips, nipples and genitals. Sweat glands are long, coiled tubes of cells found in the skin and there are two types of these glands.
The Human Body - Two Types of Sweat Glands
- Eccrine glands: These are the most common sweat glands. They are found mostly on the palms and soles of your feet and on your forehead. Eccrine glands are smaller than apocrine glands and don't produce fatty acids or proteins
- Apocrine glands: Found in your armpits and anus. This type of sweat gland produces sweat that has protein and carbohydrates, which is why you get that yellow stain on the armpit of your shirts. These glands only become active once you reach puberty - so it makes sense that you'd start sweating a lot more around that time.
The Human Body - Why Do We Sweat?
Perspiration or sweat is controlled by your sympathetic nervous system. Heat is the main reason your eccrine glands kick in, but there are other reasons you sweat. Being nervous or even eating spicy food will make you break out in a sweat. Sweat is how your body gets rid of excess body heat from your working muscles - like when you sweat up a storm in P.E class after a hard work-out.
The Human Body - Dealing With Sweat
There are a variety of ways that you can deal with sweat and it's smelly aftermath. When you hit puberty, it's best that you shower on a daily basis - it'll help rid your bod of the day's sticky, sweat residue and will help keep you feeling fresh. Deodorant can help curb the smell of sweat under your arms, but won't stop you from sweating. A different product, called antiperspirant, will stop you from sweating as much throughout the day though, by blocking the pores in the skin under your arms. Some studies say that antiperspirants are unhealthy because it can cause a build up of aluminum in your body. If you are perspiring more than normal, or are concerned in any way about your sweatiness, get in to see a doctor to discuss your options.
Do you have any embarrassing sweaty stories? Share them with us in the comments.
