Why Do We Sweat? Learn Why Our Biology is Pouring Out of Us
Austin, we’re sweaty. Day after day of, 100-degree-plus heat will do that to us.
Why do we sweat?
We need sweat to help us regulate our body temperature, said Dr. Amy McClung, a dermatologist with U.S. Dermatology Partners in Austin. “It’s the way we cool off when our body gets hot and our muscles get heated up,” she said.
“We should all be sweating,” she said. “It’s a healthy thing.”
Sweating a lot can be a sign of heat exhaustion. Not sweating can be a sign that your body is now in heat stroke.
Why does sweat stink?
It doesn’t, said McClung, when it comes out of the sweat glands. When it mixes with the skin’s bacteria and toxins, then we smell. Sweat tastes salty because of sodium, chloride and toxins in our body.
Dr. Amy McClung, a dermatologist with U.S. Dermatology Partners in Austin, loves to sweat and workout. Sweat is good for us, she said.
Is sweat good for us?
Yes. Along with controlling our body temperature, sweat helps us get rid of bacteria on our skin. Sweat naturally has an antimicrobial peptide called dermcidin, which can help manage skin infections.
Sweat provides hydration and has anti-aging properties that keep us looking youthful and diminishes those fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps exfoliate the skin and get rid of dead skin cells, makeup and other gunk on our skin. It can help prevent dry skin patches and uneven texture.
Sweat aids our circulation because it helps dilate the blood vessels to move blood easier through the body. That’s why you might see a “post-workout glow.” This circulation provides healthier-looking skin in the long-term.
There are conditions in which people cannot sweat or sweat very little. That’s called anhidrosis. Sometimes medications or medical treatment like radiation can cause that. Other times, people were born with it. People with anhidrosis must avoid the heat, especially during the summer.
Dr. Amy McClung, a dermatologist with U.S. Dermatology Partners in Austin, can treat conditions of too much sweat or even not enough sweat.
Can you sweat too much?
Everybody sweats a different amount. Temperature and humidity and activity also has a lot to do with how much you might sweat.
“I’m one of the most profuse sweat-ers I know,” said McClung, who runs and exercise outside.
For most people, just knowing that when you sweat a lot, you need to hydrate more is enough. You might need to also add a drink with electrolytes to replace the sodium, potassium and magnesium.
A condition called hyperhidrosis is when you sweat too much. People with this condition will sweat on their palms and feet and armpits excessively. “It becomes almost disabling,” McClung said.
Hyperhidrosis can be treated with prescription medications as well as prescription deodorants and wipes.
What other problems does sweat cause?
Sweat and heat along with movement can cause chafing. This can be painful especially in sensitive areas like the inner thigh, butt and chest.
For chafing, McClung recommends loose clothing and products like Body Glide or Sports Shield on the area to prevent the rubbing. A thick lotion like CeraVe or Aquaphor can help as well.
More sweat and heat also can cause eczema or Grover’s disease because the skin inflames. People with these conditions should try to cool off quickly and moisturize the skin. Sweat that collects where skin rubs together can cause intertrigo, a rash that can lead to a bacterial or yeast infection.
How else can I deal with this sweat?
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Avoid the heat, stay in the shade.
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Wear clothing that wicks away moisture.
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Wear wide-brimmed hats.
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Have water or electrolyte water.
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Keep towels in the freezer to wrap around your neck while outside.
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Wear water-resistant sunscreen if you must be outside.
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Take a cool shower soon after you return inside to cool down and wash away the sweat.
