Understanding Teen Sweat
Puberty is an annoying, exciting time in your life when everything changes. Body parts evolve, hair grows in new places and hormones released into your bloodstream make you feel all the feels. Excessive sweating during puberty is also common in both boys and girls. But it's one of those changes that's not talked about enough.
First, it's important to know that sweating during puberty is 100 percent normal.
There are two types of sweat glands in our bodies – eccrine glands and apocrine glands. Eccrine glands sweat to prevent your body from overheating. They are already functional in children. During puberty, apocrine glands become localized in the pubic region and armpit. They continuously release sweat, but emotional stressors like fear, nervousness and excitement make them sweat even more. In addition, body hair grows on the skin in these areas.
The apocrine glands activate during puberty (all three million of them). You sweat from more places than ever before, and thanks to hormones, you experience a new range of emotions.
Now that you know about the biology behind sweating during puberty, how can you tell if you're experiencing it?
THE 5 SIGNS OF PUBERTY SWEAT
Here are the five signs of puberty sweat.
1. YOU SWEAT IN NERVE-WRACKING SITUATIONS
One of the first signs of puberty sweat is sweating in nerve-wracking or tense situations. You may notice for the first time in your life that you get sweaty during big presentations at school, dances or on dates. It's called stress sweat. And those recently activated apocrine glands? They're responsible.
You may also notice pit stains on your shirts — wet marks, rings or yellow and white blotches that appear out of nowhere. These are all stress sweat (and therefore puberty) related.
Because stress sweat hits at a moment's notice, dealing with it can be embarrassing! You may isolate yourself from your peers or avoid social situations in fear of sweat. And because sweating during puberty happens in your teen years, bullies might be an issue too.
2. YOU SWEAT FOR NO REASON
When you're a child, exercise and heat are the body's only sweat triggers. You know exactly when you're going to sweat and when you aren't. (Soccer practice = yes, walking to class = no.) But once you hit puberty, things are a little different.
Because the apocrine glands continuously release sweat, sometimes it feels like you're sweating for no reason. Physical tasks that would have never made you sweat as a child suddenly leave you drenched.
When you exert yourself during puberty, you sweat from your eccrine glands and your apocrine glands — which turns into a lot of sweat altogether.
3. CERTAIN AREAS GET SWEATIER THAN OTHERS
Another sign is sweating in specific areas.
There's a high concentration of apocrine sweat glands in your armpits, pubic area, groin and chest. So, if you notice more sweat in those areas, it could be due to puberty.
4. YOUR SWEAT STARTS TO SMELL
Apocrine gland sweat smells worse than eccrine gland sweat. One way to tell if you're sweating due to puberty is if you detect an intense, oniony odor.
Why does puberty sweat smell like this? The same apocrine gland proteins that cause yellow pit stains also cause B.O. When you sweat, the bacteria breaks down proteins in your sweat to produce a pungent scent.
5. IT'S BEEN ABOUT 1 YEAR SINCE YOU STARTED PUBERTY
Puberty sweat begins about one year into puberty. It's considered one of the "later signs of puberty" (The average age for girls is 11, while the average age for boys is 12.).
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?
1. Perfect your hygiene
It is important that you take a shower at least once a day. Use soap (a neutral soap bar is usually preferable) to wash your armpit and pubic area. Rinse well, dry well.
2. Use the right deodorant
Learn about the difference between anti-perspirant and deodorant and read carefully the list of ingredients.
3. Chose the right clothing
100% cotton clothing will not stop your sweating. But it will absorb the sweat and be more efficient to limit the smelling than synthetic clothing. Think about wearing a cotton undershirt that you can easily change to be more comfortable if necessary.
4. Adapt your diet
There are multiple natural tips to limit your sweating with the right diet. You can try for yourself and see if they work for you.
- Drink water!
- Replace your morning coffee with green or black tea. They are rich in magnesium and vitamin B, known for their action on sweat glands.
- Drink tomato juice. Some argue that they have natural properties to reduce sweating, others say that they are responsible for body odors.
- Increase your intake in water-dense vegetables like broccoli, spinach, eggplant, strawberries.
- Add calcium. As a mineral, it balances body temperature.
5. Talk to your parents
Excessive sweating during puberty is normal but can seriously affect your quality of life. Your parents know about it (remember, they were teens a long time ago) and can help you find the best way to feel better about it.