As the air temperature reaches record figures, everyone tries to avoid the sun and protect themselves from sweating. But have you ever thought about the importance of sweat for our body? Sweating protects us from overheating and a deadly dangerous heat stroke. On the other hand, however necessary sweat may be, traces of damp patches on clothing and an unpleasant odour harm a respectable image and proper self-presentation. When it comes to eliminating sweating in problem areas, there are always solutions. AND klinika plastic surgeon Giedrius Stankevičius and Vaida Raubienė, a doctor with a holistic approach to health and the head of AND klinika, tell us about advanced ways to stop sweating.

The importance of sweat for our body. Sweating has an important significance for our health and protects us from dangerous diseases. “Our body's lymphatic system is like the body's sewage system. It collects all the waste of the reactions taking place in the body and of the organs' activity and tries to remove it not only through the kidneys and intestines but also through sweat. Moderate sweating trains the lymphatic system, cleanses the lymph, reduces the body's toxic load and prevents various diseases,” doctor Vaida Raubienė says of the benefits of sweat, adding that breaking a sweat at least once a day and sweating in the sauna once a week is recommended not only for a healthy person but also for someone who is ill. The doctor, who follows a holistic concept of health, warns that if this route for eliminating toxins becomes blocked, there is a threat of serious consequences. “If this natural route is blocked, stasis can develop, lymph nodes can become blocked, and because of the unremoved toxins certain skin formations can develop. These factors can lead to the appearance of far more serious diseases, since an acidified body creates favourable conditions for the development of cancer cells.”  What to do when we sweat more than others? Despite the benefits of sweating for our body, we can't ignore the other side of the coin either – the social factor. “If sweating is intense and heavy, then fluids are lost and various minerals become imbalanced. In that case, social life suffers. Heavy sweating prevents you from feeling comfortable among people, often forcing you into an awkward position and to blush with embarrassment,” says doctor Vaida Raubienė, drawing attention to the social problems. According to AND klinika plastic surgeon Giedrius Stankevičius, heavier sweating can be provoked by several causes. One of them is stressful situations.

“Many people, especially men, admit that sweat gives away their nerves. Such a situation is very unfavourable during important meetings and deals.” Dr G. Stankevičius explains that sweating when experiencing stress is normal. “Stress presents as heavy sweating because during it the number of impulses to the sweat glands increases.

Understandably, this causes social discomfort. If you suffer from very heavy sweating, it's considered a condition called hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis causes an excessive release of acetylcholine, despite the fact that the nerves were not irritated by physical exertion or a temperature change,” explains plastic surgeon Giedrius Stankevičius. Asked what other factors influence sweating, the surgeon singles out heredity and age. According to him, problems of increased sweating most often begin in early adolescence and start to lessen in older people.  Antiperspirants aren't effective in every case.

Slight or mildly increased sweating is controlled perfectly by suitable clothing, footwear and antiperspirant. In conversation with plastic surgeon Giedrius Stankevičius it becomes clear that antiperspirants aren't a suitable option for everyone. “With hyperhidrosis, antiperspirants are enough to live an unrestricted social life if their daily use doesn't cause the person inconveniences such as yellow stains on clothing, wet armpits or damp palms. Moreover, there are cases where, when using aluminium-salt antiperspirants, the ducts of the sweat glands can become blocked, so skin swelling and irritation are possible,” warns plastic surgeon Giedrius Stankevičius, noting that heavier sweating of the feet or palms and constant friction reduce an antiperspirant's effect to a minimum. If you feel that the sweating problem isn't fully solved, see a doctor and you'll soon forget about the discomfort.  Treating sweating in problem areas. Dr G. Stankevičius notes that there is more than one way to address the problem of increased sweating. “The range of treatments for increased sweating is broad and depends on the location and complexity of the problem. Several treatment methods are possible: doctor-prescribed antiperspirants with aluminium salts, botulinum toxin injections, oral anticholinergic medication, destruction of the sweat glands with microwaves, and surgical treatment by destroying the sweat glands or damaging the nerves responsible for sweating. Each method is selected individually, taking into account the patient's condition and wishes,” explains AND klinika aesthetic plastic surgeon Giedrius Stankevičius. AND klinika plastic surgeon and clinic head Dr Vaida Raubienė singles out botulinum toxin injections as one of the most effective ways to treat sweating of the armpits, palms or feet. The palms and soles are injected with anaesthesia, as these areas are more sensitive. A small quantity of botulinum toxin injections helps you forget about the problem for six months to a year.

“One of the most effective ways to treat sweating of the armpits, palms or feet is botulinum toxin injections. A small quantity of botulinum toxin helps you forget about the problem for six months to a year.”

If you can't find an effective remedy for sweating, that doesn't yet mean the problem is unsolvable. Don't be afraid to seek help – turn to professional doctors. During a consultation the doctor will assess the complexity of the situation and choose the solution that's right for you. Forget about tiresome sweating at the most inopportune moment – be confident!