How safe is your antiperspirant?
Jun 21, 2010
SERA Mbeiza always sweated profusely. Her friend recommended an antiperspirant and it registered impressive results. But following two weeks of constant use; her armpits started hurting.
By Gilbert Kidimu
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SERA Mbeiza always sweated profusely. Her friend recommended an antiperspirant and it registered impressive results. But following two weeks of constant use; her armpits started hurting.
“There was pain in one spot. It felt like a lymph node and itched when the weather was hot. I presumed it was the deodorant brand, so I tried another product, but the pain was persistent. The bulge developed into a boil and I had to seek treatment from a clinic,†she says.
Mbeiza could have been suffering from Hyperhidrosis. Dr. Muhoozi Rwakaryebe, a general practitioner at Paragon Hospital in Bugolobi says hyperhidrosis is a disease that causes excessive sweating to reduce the body temperature. He says sweating is nature’s way of lowering the temperature of body and prohibiting this by using an antiperspirant is not ideal. Many people cannot tell a deodorant and antiperspirant apart. Generally, the terms antiperspirant and deodorant are used as synonyms, although they do the opposite jobs. While deodorants remove smell, antiperspirants are drugs. Antiperspirants have a mechanism which affects the normal functioning of the body. They also have chemicals that block the secretion of sweat. On the other hand, deodorants allow perspiration to occur, but control body odour.
Deodorants contain antiseptic properties that kill bacteria that cause odour, while antiperspirants inhibit both production and secretion of sweat.
Muhoozi says sweat is purely
odourless, but after it comes into contact with bacteria on the skin, it causes odour.
Regular use of antiperspirant increases dangers of breast cancer, especially if applied in the armpit. Muhoozi says they have been found to increase chances of Alzheimer’s disease.
“Antiperspirants are in some way associated with breast cancer. Most antiperspirants products contain preservatives such as methyl. Studies show that these mimic effects of estrogens, produced by the ovaries, hence over stimulating excessive growth of the breast. They have also been found in breast tumours,†he says. However, there is no direct link.
Some individuals are allergic to aluminium, a condition known as contact dermatitis. In others, it can form boils in the armpit.
Amos Mulindwa of Care Clinic says in countries such as Uganda where the rates of substandard goods flood the market; people should take precaution as they buy products because substandard ones pose a higher risk.
It is not advisable for one with a renal disease such as a kidney problem to use antiperspirants.
According to Mulindwa, the accumulation of aluminium in the body accelerates the condition. Using aluminium free products is better and sprays are safer because the area of contact is limited. A deodorant is enough to stop bad smell, not sweat
In case of hyperhidrosis, you need a deodorant to stop the odour. Other conditions that cause excessive sweating are fever, exercise, and high temperatures. Taking a shower twice a day could help deal with body odour.
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SERA Mbeiza always sweated profusely. Her friend recommended an antiperspirant and it registered impressive results. But following two weeks of constant use; her armpits started hurting.
“There was pain in one spot. It felt like a lymph node and itched when the weather was hot. I presumed it was the deodorant brand, so I tried another product, but the pain was persistent. The bulge developed into a boil and I had to seek treatment from a clinic,†she says.
Mbeiza could have been suffering from Hyperhidrosis. Dr. Muhoozi Rwakaryebe, a general practitioner at Paragon Hospital in Bugolobi says hyperhidrosis is a disease that causes excessive sweating to reduce the body temperature. He says sweating is nature’s way of lowering the temperature of body and prohibiting this by using an antiperspirant is not ideal. Many people cannot tell a deodorant and antiperspirant apart. Generally, the terms antiperspirant and deodorant are used as synonyms, although they do the opposite jobs. While deodorants remove smell, antiperspirants are drugs. Antiperspirants have a mechanism which affects the normal functioning of the body. They also have chemicals that block the secretion of sweat. On the other hand, deodorants allow perspiration to occur, but control body odour.
Deodorants contain antiseptic properties that kill bacteria that cause odour, while antiperspirants inhibit both production and secretion of sweat.
Muhoozi says sweat is purely
odourless, but after it comes into contact with bacteria on the skin, it causes odour.
Regular use of antiperspirant increases dangers of breast cancer, especially if applied in the armpit. Muhoozi says they have been found to increase chances of Alzheimer’s disease.
“Antiperspirants are in some way associated with breast cancer. Most antiperspirants products contain preservatives such as methyl. Studies show that these mimic effects of estrogens, produced by the ovaries, hence over stimulating excessive growth of the breast. They have also been found in breast tumours,†he says. However, there is no direct link.
Some individuals are allergic to aluminium, a condition known as contact dermatitis. In others, it can form boils in the armpit.
Amos Mulindwa of Care Clinic says in countries such as Uganda where the rates of substandard goods flood the market; people should take precaution as they buy products because substandard ones pose a higher risk.
It is not advisable for one with a renal disease such as a kidney problem to use antiperspirants.
According to Mulindwa, the accumulation of aluminium in the body accelerates the condition. Using aluminium free products is better and sprays are safer because the area of contact is limited. A deodorant is enough to stop bad smell, not sweat
In case of hyperhidrosis, you need a deodorant to stop the odour. Other conditions that cause excessive sweating are fever, exercise, and high temperatures. Taking a shower twice a day could help deal with body odour.