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Sweating is a normal response to environmental or bodily heat. It can be accelerated due to pain, panic stress, ill health, or an emotional disturbance. When air is dry, evaporation of sweat takes place rapidly so that we don't notice it on our skin, but when the weather becomes hot and humid, the moisture lingers on and we get soaked in perspiration. As an elimination organ our skin allows sweat to pass out from the pores and rid the body of impurities, just as kidneys send out waste products through urine and the liver breaks down pesticides and other chemicals and shunts them off. Sweat is 99 per cent water while the rest is made up of salt, fat, lactic acid, uric acid and potassium. Since the body stores tiny amounts of environmental toxins in fatty tissues, it's possible that even these may turn up as well in the sweat. There are two types of sweat glands located in the dermis of the skin. The eccrine, found all over the body chiefly on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands, prepares plenty of clear sweat that is low in organic matter and is odourless though it can take on the smell of certain liquids or foods that have been consumed. The other is the highly sensitive apocrine which becomes active after puberty and produces a milky secretion that breaks down into fatty acids on mingling with local bacteria resulting in offensive odour. Since the apocrine glands remain stagnant in babies and the young, they smell sweet. Though we all have the same number of sweat glands per skin area, the amount of sweat varies from person to person. On average, women perspire less than men but those engaged in strenuous activities sweat much more. In men the sweat glands exude a hormone called testosterone which by itself is odourless. However, a host of bacteria known as 'coryneform' located in the armpits convert testosterone into substances that emit a seductive musk-like odour so typical of those sexy sweaty shirts! During middle-age, people with a weak digestive system are not able to metabolise foods like fish, eggs, nuts, legumes and liver and they discharge strong odours. Coffee, colas and chocolates also tend to stimulate the apocrine glands - concentrated in moist areas of armpits, breasts, naval and the groin - so more sweat oozes out from the pores. Excessive chronic-sweating called 'hyperhidrosis' can be due to genetic disorder, tension, low blood sugar, obesity or menopause. Sweating can be controlled by maintaining proper personal hygienes sometimes, pouring water on the body does suffice since our skin is an amazing self-cleansing organ but when dirt, dust, dead cells and stale make-up clog pores and hamper the skin's natural functions, a proper cleansing is required to remove accumulated pollutants without disturbing the skin's normal balance. Soap and water are commonly used for bathing and most soaps have fine floral notes that leave the body refreshed and relaxed. But enough water must be used to clear impurities as well as any soap residue. Applying body lotion or talcum powder after the bath adds to the effect of freshening up. Talc absorbs moisture and diminishes body odour though it lasts for a short while. Lotions and perfumes too repress body odour temporarily and that also aesthetically. However they don't fight bacteria and when sweat overpowers the scent, a stale whiff survives. Deodorants do a neater job to control body odour and keep delightful day-long fragrant freshness. They contain antiseptic ingredients and choice essences that destroy bacteria and keep the skin sweet-smelling. Deodorants are available as sprays, roll-ons and deosticks. Sprays: Formulated with active bactericidals and exquisite perfume, they must be used after stepping out of the bath. They should be sprayed carefully by holding the container away from the face and allowed to set before dressing up, as they can leave stains on clothes. Roll-ons: A thick liquid rolls out through a ball at the mouth of the bottle when pressed on the skin. It feels sticky at first but soon a thin layer adheres to the skin's surface and partly seals the pores. Less is better as excess deodorant may cause discomfort. Deo-sticks: Most convenient to use by rubbing the stick on dry skin. As it has little effect on wet skin, make sure to wipe the body properly. It's handy to carry in the purse and re-apply whenever one needs to freshen up. Some deo-sticks have a pronounced perfume to mask body odour. Select a deodorant that works well for your skin and gives total satisfaction. If a product induces an itch or blisters the skin, avoid it and try some other brand. Use of any deodorant should be restricted to thrice a week as frequent application reduces its potency. Often, sweat dilutes the deodorant and, in the course of time, builds natural immunity to that particular product. An anti-perspirant with its two-in-one formula has a long-lasting effect and doesn't wash off or vanish easily. When it is applied a powdery coat forms on the skin and chemicals like aluminium, salts arrest the flow of sweat considerably while eliminating body odour. The right time to use an anti-perspirant is before retiring to bed at night as then it works for a longer time and makes the skin slow down on sweating. ANTI-PERSPIRANTS Some preservatives in antiperspirants can be harmful for those with tender, sensitive skins resulting in a rash. They should use phitikari (alum) containing sulphate of aluminium and potash on armpits, or rub the juice of onion, lettuce or mint leaves to curtail excess sweat and prevent body odour. Hair follicles are ground for apocrine glands to set up body odour. When sweat doesn't dry up, bacteria - the real culprits - take over and cause decomposition and let off a repugnant stink. Make sure the pubic area and armpits are clear of hair. If you experience sweating of the scalp, where the skin's natural lubricants are concentrated, rub eaude-cologne in hair roots before combing. This will help and the hair will also become more fragrant and bouncier. Sweating of feet can be embarrassing when, on removal of footwear, a stench which is annoying to olfactory senses shoots up. Fungi thrive in warm moist places and increase rapidly between the toes. Best is to keep feet dry and clean and spray some talc or deodorant before stepping into well-aired shoes. In warm weather, drink plenty of liquids which will prevent dehydration and aid in diluting apocrine gland secretions. Try to stay calm and relaxed and wear loose, freshly-laundered cotton clothes. Avoid synthetics as these prevent air-circulation and don't permit perspiration to escape. Most ultra-violet rays are harsh and bounce off concrete surfaces. Zinc, an effective ingredient in sunscreens is the white paste that we find cricketers apply below their eyes and lips to safeguard from the sun's glare. Some cream products claim their sunscreen is sweat-proof and longlasting, yet no sunscreen is absolutely sweat-proof. The fragrant cleansers that we use to combat odour often merge with our skin chemistry and become identified as our particular body aroma. Some regard this distinct smell to be alluring as it often conveys signals of sexual intent. And see what someone has to say on this subject: "A horse sweats, a truckman perspires - but a woman glows!" So don't let your apocrine glands get you down even if you lead a hectic life and are always on the go!