Sweat: Why You Sweat, Body Odour, and Sweating Too Much or Too Little

Sweat is a clear, salty liquid made by glands in your skin. Sweating is how your body cools itself. You sweat mostly under your arms and on your feet and palms.

Odour

Sweat can smell when it mixes with bacteria on your skin. Bathing regularly and using an antiperspirant or deodorant can help control the odour.

When heavy sweating is normal

Sweating a lot is normal when:

• it is hot;
• you exercise;
• you are anxious;
• you have a fever;
• you are going through menopause.

Sweating too much: hyperhidrosis

If you often sweat too much, the condition is called hyperhidrosis. Causes include thyroid problems, nervous system disorders, low blood sugar and other health problems.

Sweating too little: anhidrosis

Sweating too little is called anhidrosis. It can be life-threatening, because your body can overheat. Causes include:

• dehydration;
• burns;
• some skin disorders;
• some nerve disorders.

Sources

• "Sweat," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/sweat.html
• Rewritten in hubnx's own words.