T H I S D AY THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017
38
HEALTH
HEALTH MATTERS
goketakinrogunde@gmail.com
By Goke T. Akinrogunde 07036777348; 07029126776
Body Odour is Preventable
B
ody odour is the unpleasant smell that can occur when one is sweating. Although, human sweat is mostly odourless, however, the bacteria that live on the skin can break down the sweat into acids, which produces an unpleasant odour. Medically speaking this condition is equally known as bromhidrosis, apocrine bromhidrosis, bromidrosis, osmidrosis, ozochrotia, fetid sweat or malodorous sweating. Most people who have passed puberty can produce body odour. Somehow, it can be assumed as one of the secondary sexual characteristics in the grownups. Puberty usually occurs between 12-16 years of age in girls, and 13-17 years of age in boys. Body odour can be made worse by the following conditions/situations: Obesity, Eating a diet that is high in spicy foods and having certain medical conditions, such as diabetes. Also of relevance here is the fact that body odour is commoner in men, since men tend to sweat more than women. Body odor is known to be largely influenced by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules present in the blood and body fluids. These are genetically determined and play an important role in immunity of the organism. The vomeronasal organ (in the nose) contains cells sensitive to MHC molecules in a genotypespecific way. Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) A minority of individuals in the population have a condition called hyperhidrosis, which causes them to sweat excessively. Ironically, however, those with hyperhidrosis tend not to develop body odour because the sweat that they produce is too salty for the bacteria to break down. Sweating and sweat glands Our body contains between 3-4 million sweat glands. There are two types of glands: (1) the Eccrine glands; are distributed across your skin, and are responsible for regulating body’s temperature by cooling the skin with sweat when one gets hot. (2) the Aprocrine glands, which are concentrated in the armpits, genital area, and breasts. Aprocrine glands are scent glands because they release scented chemicals known as pheromones. Pheromones are thought to be able to subconsciously influence how people react towards the others. For example, one might find a person
· Take at least a bath, or shower, once a day. On hot days, consider bathing, or showering, twice a day. · Wash the armpits thoroughly using an anti-bacterial soap. · Use a deodorant, or an antiperspirant after bathing or showering. Deodorants make the skin more acidic, which helps to repel bacteria; whereas, antiperspirants block the sweat glands so that one sweats less. · Shave your armpits regularly so that the sweat evaporates quicker, and gives the bacteria less time to break it down. · Wear natural-made fibres such as wool, silk, or cotton. These will make sweat to evaporate quicker. · Limit your consumption of spicy foods such as curry or garlic because they can make your sweat smellier. There is also some evidence that people who eat a lot of red meat tend to have worse body odour.
Body odour can be prevented
sexually attractive because one is drawn to the smell of their pheromones. It is the aprocrine glands that are mostly responsible for body odour because the sweat that they produce contains a high level of protein, which bacteria find easy to break down. As the sweat that is produced by eccrine glands is saltier, the bacteria are unable to fully break it down. Smelly feet Feet became smelly because most people wear socks and shoes. This means that sweat cannot evaporate properly, which gives the bacteria the opportunity to break the sweat down. The moisture that accumulates around the feet can also encourage the growth of fungi, which can also produce an unpleasant smell. Related conditions Body odor may be reduced or prevented or even aggravated by using deodorants, antiperspirants, disinfectants, special soaps or foams with antiseptic plant extracts such as chlorophyllin ointments and sprays. Although body odor is commonly associated with hygiene practices, its presentation
can be affected by changes in diet as well as the other factors discussed earlier. There are a number of medical conditions that can cause a change in how much we sweat, or how sweat smells. For example, the menopause or an over-active thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) can increase the amount we sweat. In the same vein, diabetes or liver or kidney disease can produce a change in one’s body odour. These conditions can occasionally be serious so it is important to see the doctor if one experiences any of the symptoms listed as; Inappropriate sweating at night; Sweating much more than one used to, and for no apparent reason; Experiencing cold sweats, Notice a change in the smell of the body odour; a fruity smell could indicate diabetes, while a bleach-like smell could be caused by liver or kidney disease. Personal hygiene Our armpits contain a large concentration of apocrine glands. Therefore, it is necessary to keep them clean and free of bacteria in order to help control the symptoms of body odour by ensuring that:
Relevant medications Aluminium chloride is the active ingredient that is contained in a number of antiperspirants If the above advice does not help to improve body odour, one may require an antiperspirant that contains a larger amount of aluminium chloride. Most strong antiperspirants can damage or discolour clothing, so they are usually designed to be used once a day, best before going to bed. Botulinum toxin is a relatively new treatment for people who experience excessive underarm sweating. Botulinum toxin is a powerful poison, which can be used safely in minute doses. The treatment involves receiving around 12 injections of botulinum toxin in the armpits. The procedure should take about 30-45 minutes. The toxin works by blocking the signals from the brain to the sweat glands, reducing the amount of sweat that is produced. The effects of the toxin usually last between 2-8 months, after which time further treatment will be required. Smelly feet Smelly feet are not usually as big a problem as armpits because the smell is usually masked by wearing shoes and socks. However, they can be a source of embarrassment when at home with a partner, family member etc. The following may help control the symptoms of smelly feet.
Inside the Hospital My Rash and Oral Sex I wish to raise my concern about a condition that has been bordering my mind for some time now. I had oral sex with a girl sometime a while ago and I began to notice some rashes on my penis which later spread to other parts of my body. I went to see a doctor who carried out some blood tests and he advised me to use Travocort cream for 6 months. I met another pharmacist who advised me to use Ketoconazole tablets for 1month. I have carried out all instructions and even went back to the hospital to see another doctor
who told me to consult a dermatologist. These rashes have become itchy and it is embarrassing. Please do advise me on what to do. Thank you. Chidi Abuja Chidi, Your apprehension as per the concern you had over these rashes of yours are quite understandable, especially because the response
has been slowed with all the drugs you have been taken over the period under reference. However, I should say that the fact that you had an “oral sex with a girl” a month to the commencement of the rashes all over your body does not strike me as the immediate or primary cause of these rashes. This can as well be attributed to other causes, other than the oral sex. The above is the reason why I will advise that in this case you should stop the various “try and error approaches”, it is probably wise for
you to seek an appointment with a practicing dermatologist, since the primary complaint has to do with a skin rash. I am confident that the attending dermatologist will be in the best position to decode the nature of the skin rashes, and if necessary send you for relevant tests. In similar vein, he might probably also consider you for a collateral referral to other related specialists in the field of medicine. Best wishes, while you sort yourself out.
Foundation Rehabilitates Primary Healthcare Centre in Abuja Village Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja To alleviate the problems of healthcare facility in hard to reach communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Sam Empowerment Foundation has rehabilitated primary healthcare clinic in Gbaupe Village in Kuje Area Council. The Founder and President
of the Foundation , Dr. Aisha Achimugu, while speaking at the handing over of the rehabilitated clinic, said the greatest investment that could be made in life was not in bond/stock market, real estate or precious stones but it is in giving back to the society. She stated that the project was executed through the United States Ambassador’s
Small Grants (ASG) for community development programmes aimed at improving the social economic well-being and health of the community. Achimugu revealed that, “the project covered the rehabilitation of the dilapidated building structure, provision of a convenience, a reception, delivery room, consultation
and admission wards geared towards alleviating health challenges faced by the community as well as improving mother-infant child mortality rate.” The Coordinator of the Project, Ms. Kiema Ogunlana, said the project meets the need for a reliable, sustainable and improved quality healthcare provision especially with
regards to maternity and child care for the community which has experienced poor healthcare secure delivery prior to the intervention. “ We thank Ambassador Stuart Symington through ASG programme which has enabled us to achieve this laudable project which will impact positively in the lives
of 4,000 community members.” The Vice Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Hon. Samuel Duda, said the area Council has 46 healthcare facilities with inadequate and well trained staff, adding that Gbuape clinic was one of them with only three trained staff, while urging the FCT administration to employ more staff.