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Excessive body odour
My 20-year-old daughter has excessive body odour. She showers every morning and has tried nearly every deodorant in the shops, but within a few hours, smells quite strongly. It permeates all her clothes and as soon as she comes through the door we can smell her. She also suffers from smelly feet!
Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) is a clinical condition that affects an estimated one per cent of the population. It is sometimes a sign of an overactive thyroid or drug side effect but in most cases, no obvious cause is found. Hyperhidrosis is then assumed to result when the body's thermostat is set too high. This leads to over-activity of nerve endings supplying the sweat glands, so they remain continually active.
Mild hyperhidrosis, which is limited to well-defined areas of the body, can usually be controlled by applying a 20 per cent solution of aluminium chloride hexahydrate ( for example, Driclor, from chemists) to clean, dry skin at night - when sweat glands are inactive - and washing off the next morning. Aluminium chloride hexahydrate is thought to work by forming a gel matrix within each sweat gland, which reduces sweat secretion. As excessive sweating comes under control, applications can be reduced in frequency to once or twice a week. A deodorant may be used during the day for freshness, but there is usually no need to use an antiperspirant as well.
It is important that she confides in her doctor, as she can be referred for treatment. Botulinum A neurotoxin (Botox) is effective in treating hyperhidrosis of the armpits and palms. In one study, botulinum injections into the skin of affected areas stopped sweating in the armpits for four to seven months. Repeat injections produced similar results. Troublesome symptoms sometimes require an operation to cut the nerve supply to the armpit, medically defined as upper, dorsal sympathetic ganglionectomy or endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. Surgery is successful in stopping sweating in over 90 per cent of cases, but side effects such as sweating elsewhere (such as the thighs) occurs in 50 per cent of patients.
I would also advise the following measures:
- Lose any excess weight and take regular exercise to improve cardiovascular fitness
- Wear loose, cotton clothes rather than manufactured fibres
- Avoid tight clothes that pinch at the waist or that bunch up at the elbows or knees
- Carry a wash-kit (flannels, soap, talcum, towel) and change of clothes if necessary to freshen up during the day
- Dry skin thoroughly after washing and dust with talcum or anti-fungal powder
- Natural remedies such as supplements containing horsetail or sage may help
- Essential oils of rose, clary sage, ginger, lemon, cypress or nutmeg can be diluted and used to disguise body odour naturally. Pure cypress or geranium oil can be rubbed into the palms or soles of the feet daily until sweating improves. Importantly, for most other uses, these oils should be diluted; avoid if local sensitivity occurs; avoid aromatherapy during pregnancy except under professional supervision.
- For profuse, sour, sticky sweat, take Hepar sulph 6c twice a day for up to two weeks
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