Perspirex

Sweating facts

Sweating, or perspiration, is a natural and essential bodily function which regulates the body’s temperature. The average person perspires up to one litre of sweat daily.

However, excessive perspiration or sweating can be both inconvenient and embarrassing for some people.

Sweat can stain clothing. Clammy hands, body odour and smelly feet can all be uncomfortable and distressing symptoms of excessive perspiration.

What is sweat?

We have approximately 1.6 – 4 million sweat glands dispersed all over our bodies. The density is highest under the arms, in the palms of the hands and on the soles of the feet.

Perspiration is a watery solution and is completely odourless. Body odour is actually caused by bacteria on the surface of the skin as they break down (metabolise) the components of the perspiration.

The body has two types of sweat glands

- the Eccrine sweat glands which are particularly found on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet

- the Apocrine sweat glands, which are mostly present in the armpits.

Did you know?
30% of the broad population sweat to an extent that is of discomfort on a weekly basis. Among these people, corrective behaviours are common, e.g. carrying an antiperspirant throughout the day, avoidance of lifting of the arms, and the wearing of certain types of fabrics.