Dr. Alverston Bailey - Contributed

Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

Driving a taxi around daily may seem like an easy job to many, but the heat of the sun and the long journeys can take a toll on the body.

One common problem is body odour, but most drivers have confessed they experience underarm odour due to excessive sweating. Now, sweat in itself is odourless but the bacteria that flourishes on the skin is the real culprit behind the odours.

According to Dr. Alverston Bailey, president of the Medical Association of Jamaica, there are two types of sweat.

"There is one called eccrine and this is a sweat which is a mixture of water, salt, urea and lactic acid and is produced by gland under the armpit, palms, soles of the feet and the forehead, and this sweat is odourless," he explained.

"The other sweat now is apocrine and this is a sweat which contain pheromones and is produced by glands found underneath the arms and around the groin. This particular sweat is produced during puberty and is said to have a biological function in promoting sexual attraction.

However, there are certain conditions that promote excessive sweating and these are hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis.

With hyperhidrosis persons are likely to develop a strong body odour, while with bromhidrosis where the individual always have an unpleasant odour but this is very rare.

These conditions have to be diagnosed by a doctor.

Dr. Bailey says that several reasons can cause a person to have an unpleasant odour.

Poor hygiene

Inadequate bathing

Coffee as it increase apocrine gland stimulations which causes sweating.

Chain smoking and heavy drinking

Diseases of the liver, kidney, diabetes, yeast infections and gastrointestinal diseases.

Constipation.

Anxietal stress

Certain medications.

One must first find out if any of the above are responsible for any body odour experienced in order to select a remedy.

However, there are ways to control the 'green' smell that emanates from the body.

Baking soda, this absorbs and masks the odour.

Body powder, this also absorbs and masks odours.

Two or three charcoal capsules perday for several weeks can help to absorb waste products and reduce fermentation that may cause body odour. (Charcoal capsules can be found in health food stores).

Sage tea.

Oils of rosemary or thyme can be used under the arm and feet.

Drinking 6-8 glasses of water per day.

Increase the fibre content of your diet.

Using an anti-perspirant containing chlorhexidine or aluminium chloride.

Change of diet. Cut back on onions, garlic, caffeine and nicotine.

If all fails, the sweat glands can be removed surgically.

However, one needs to consult a physician before taking any drastic measures.

yahneake.sterling@gleanerjm.com