Essential background information on sweating

Although at this moment in time you wish you could stop sweating entirely, you have to realize that sweating is a normal and essential bodily function. Sweat serves to cool off and lubricate the skin; especially in areas that may rub against other areas of skin, such as under the arms and around the groin. It is also an important means of elimination for the various toxins you are exposed to on a daily basis. If you have Hyperhidrosis, whatever method you choose to deal with it should not stop this natural and necessary mechanism. Sweat is produced by glands in the deep layer of the skin which filter fluid and salts out of the blood. The resulting sweat is secreted through small tubes in the skin (sweat ducts) that empty out into small pores at the top outer layer of the skin. Sweat glands are present in the highest concentration in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

There are two factors which cause the body to sweat. One is an increase in body temperature – the brain tells the body to sweat in order to keep it cool so as to maintain an optimal internal temperature. The other reason we sweat is in response to emotional factors such as anxiety or stress and this is a very important point. The activity of the sweat glands is totally under the control of the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS). In high-stress situations such as before a first date, meeting an angry boss, an interview etc. the SNS takes over in what is commonly known as the ‘fight or flight response’. As a reaction to danger, excitement or psychological stress the SNS sends most of your blood to your heart, lungs, and large muscles so that you can have the strength and endurance to successfully handle the situation. It also senses theincrease in body temperature that comes with these fight or flightsituations, and sends a signal to your sweat glands to produce sweatto cool you down. This means sweating is an involuntary process – we have no conscious control over it. Lifting your arm, chewing and clapping your hands are all voluntary processes i.e. you have a choice as to whether or not you do them. But sweating, along with breathing and jerking your hand away after touching a hot stove is an involuntary action – and is largely beyond our control. Don’t get disheartened by this last comment though, just because we can’t stop our bodies from sweating (nor should we try – it’s an essential process), we can alter the conditions and triggers that lead to sweating so that it happens at a more normal rate