Heavy sweating groin in women, men and children: causes, folk remedies for sweating

Excessive sweating is a pathology that can ruin the life of any person. And it is not so much about the physical discomfort that a person feels due to constant moisture on the body, but about the disruption of the psycho-emotional state. After all, a person with hyperhidrosis (and this is the name of the described pathology) has to constantly worry about the unpleasant smell and unaesthetic stains that appear on clothes if the groin or armpits, chest or back sweat.

We will not dwell on the feelings and sensations experienced by patients whose faces are constantly shiny, their hands are damp or their feet are sweaty, emitting a far from Chanel scent. Let's talk about the problems associated with inguinal and inguino-perineal hyperhidrosis, as well as methods of diagnosis and treatment.

Causes groin sweating

Regardless of which part of a person's body sweats more: the groin, armpits, palms, forehead, or the entire body at once, the development of secondary hyperhidrosis (generalized or focal) is associated with certain diseases that result in impaired control of the sweat glands, or the use of medications, the side effects of which include excessive sweating.

Let's take a closer look at what diseases can lead to excessive sweating.

• Pathologies of the nervous system in which both central and peripheral regulation of sweat gland activity may be disrupted, leading to the development of generalized or local hyperhidrosis:

• central nervous system lesions,
• inflammatory pathologies of brain tissue,
• pathologies with cavity formation (syringomyelia) and other pathologies of the spinal cord affecting the nerve fibers responsible for transmitting impulses to the brain and the periphery,
• vegetative-vascular dystonia,
• Parkinson's disease,
• neurasthenia,
• various types of inflammatory diseases of the nerves (neuritis),
• neuroses,
• polyneuropathy,
• cerebral infarction, hemiplegia, etc.

• Endocrine disorders:

• diabetes mellitus,
• hypoglycemia,
• obesity,
• hypo- and hyperthyroidism (also known as thyrotoxicosis, i.e. excess thyroid hormones of the thyroid gland),
• goiter,
• pituitary pathologies called acromegaly, etc.

• Acute and chronic infections that cause inflammation and increased body temperature (syphilis, tuberculosis, HIV infection, acute respiratory viral infections, malaria, etc.). They are characterized by hyperhidrosis of the whole body.
• Some types of malignant tumor diseases:

• pheochromocytoma,
• lung cancer,
• lymphomas,
• tumor lesions of the bronchi,
• oncological pathologies that metastasize to the mediastinal region.

• Cardiovascular pathologies:

• arterial hypertension,
• venous diseases,
• rheumatism.

• Hereditary diseases: fucocidosis, Chediak-Higashi, Reilly-Day, Buck syndromes and some other pathologies in which not only the groin sweats, but also other parts of the body (generalized form).
• Skin diseases, including those that are passed down from generation to generation: erythroderma, leprosy, shingles, blue hemangioma.
• Kidney pathologies: nephritis, intoxication (uremia) and late toxicosis of pregnancy (eclampsia) against the background of kidney inflammation. They are also characterized by generalized forms of hyperhidrosis.

A risk factor for increased sweating is also the use of certain medications: acetylsalicylic acid and other NSAIDs, insulin, antiemetics, analgesics. This type of hyperhidrosis is called iatrogenic. It does not require treatment, since it goes away after the medications stop working.

The groin of an infant sweats mainly because parents wrap or swaddle the child too much, which disrupts the air supply to the body and increases the temperature in the pelvic area (and not only). On the body, hyperhidrosis in the groin area of a child can manifest itself in the form of diaper rash and rashes (prickly heat). Another reason can be anxiety and crying in a baby over 1 month old, when psychogenic sweating is activated.

Secondary hyperhidrosis is a slightly different situation, although it manifests itself with the same symptoms (sweat secretion, leaving marks on clothes, often accompanied by the appearance of an unpleasant odor). It is associated with certain diseases of the skin, nervous and endocrine systems, acute and chronic infections, oncology, etc. But it is worth dwelling on this in more detail.

Risk factors

Risk factors for increased physiological sweating in men and women include heat, visiting a bathhouse or sauna, eating hot and spicy foods, drinking alcohol, playing sports, and active physical labor.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ]

Pathogenesis

Since increased sweating is most often observed on the face, armpits, back, groin, hands and feet, many believe that sweat glands are located in these places. In fact, such glands are present almost all over the surface of the body covered with skin.

In this way, our body carries out the process of thermoregulation, because sweat secretion is one of its main links. In total, about 2 million sweat glands can be found on the human body, which are formed during the intrauterine development of the fetus. The sweating system is considered fully formed by 2-3 years.

Sweating is provided by two types of glands. Eccrine sweat glands are located literally everywhere. The only exceptions are the external auditory canal, the lips in the mucous membrane area, the clitoris and labia minora in women, and the inner surface of the foreskin in men. They are the ones that provide a decrease in body temperature when it is overheated by secreting a salty liquid.

Sweating in newborns may be observed no earlier than 3 days after birth. Its appearance is associated with the work of the thermoregulation mechanism, i.e. the child sweats when he is hot. Sweat can cover the baby's entire body, but its effect is especially noticeable in those places where air access is limited (usually in the folds of the arms, legs, neck, groin and perineum, where irritation called prickly heat is formed).

Psychogenic sweating, which mostly affects children over 3 months and adults, is detected in a child after 1-2.5 months after birth. This type of sweating is associated with mental or emotional stress (under the influence of fear, pain, anxiety, anger, excitement), but not with the thermoregulatory mechanism. That is, it is a kind of reaction to stress (positive or negative), the purpose of which scientists still cannot explain. This type of sweating is provided by apocrine glands, the nervous regulation of whose activity is associated with the release of norepinephrine.

These glands are not located everywhere. They can be found in the armpits (axillary region) and around the nipples of the mammary glands, in the pubic area, perineum and anus, on the face they are supplied to the wings of the nose and eyelids. They are probably also on the feet and palms, which tend to sweat more when a person becomes nervous. Apocrine glands are especially densely located in the armpits and in the groin area.

There is also such a type of stimulated sweating as food sweating. It occurs when eating food of a certain temperature and characteristics. A person begins to sweat more if he drinks hot drinks or eats very hot food. Increased sweating is also observed when eating spicy dishes, products with a rich taste, alcohol, which also cause increased salivation, irritating the sympathetic receptors. In this case, sweat can cover both the entire body and its individual areas, mainly the face (especially the forehead).

It is considered normal for a person to sweat under the influence of heat, active physical work, stress or food with certain characteristics. In this case, sweating is caused by normal physiological processes and does not require treatment. After all, sweating is an important moment of thermoregulation and cleansing of the body, which is only beneficial for a person.

It is a different matter if sweating occurs more intensively than the situation requires, or occurs without any apparent reason. In this case, we speak of a pathology called hyperhidrosis, and it is associated with a dysfunction of the sweat secretion system. That is, for some reason, the body begins to secrete excessive amounts of sweat in response to exposure to high temperatures, stress, food, medications, and even without any particular reason (spontaneous hyperhidrosis).

Hyperhidrosis, in turn, can be either generalized (the whole body sweats heavily) or localized (increased sweating is observed only in the armpits, on the palms, feet, groin, etc.). Excessive sweating of the groin and perineum is called inguino-perineal hyperhidrosis, which occurs, although quite rarely, but is associated with severe discomfort, limiting a person both in clothing and in communication.

In the pathogenesis of unnatural excessive sweating, scientists distinguish between primary and secondary hyperhidrosis.

How much a person sweats depends in many cases on hereditary factors. Genetically determined excessive sweating, mainly during the daytime, under the influence of environmental changes is called primary hyperhidrosis, which in most cases is not considered a pathology until it goes beyond what is permitted.

The maximum amount of sweat per day that the human body can secrete is 14 liters (usually this figure does not exceed 5 liters per day), which can already be considered a genetic pathology, since it will be problematic to replenish such a supply of fluid. Primary hyperhidrosis can be generalized or local. Most often, its foci are located in the armpits, on the palms and feet, and in the overwhelming majority of cases symmetrically, but excessive sweating can also be observed in other places, for example, a person sweats a lot in the groin, anus and even the head (with alopecia) due to bad heredity.

Non-pathological hyperhidrosis also includes excessive sweating in adolescents during puberty, in women during menstruation and menopause, as well as in the last trimester of pregnancy (under the influence of hormones), and in excess weight in both sexes.

[ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ]

Epidemiology

And yet, according to statistics, primary hereditary hyperhidrosis is more typical for women than for men and children. But as for the specific excessive sweating in the groin area, both women and men are equally susceptible to it. Moreover, the reasons for this phenomenon can be both physiological and pathological. In adults and children, sweating of the groin can be caused by wearing synthetic underwear that does not allow air to pass through.

[ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ], [ 12 ], [ 13 ]

Symptoms

Whatever the reasons for excessive groin sweating, the pathology called inguinal hyperhidrosis manifests itself with the same symptoms. The first signs of hyperhidrosis in the groin and perineum are periodic strong secretion of moisture in this area, which is absorbed by the tissues covering it (underwear, clothing). With primary hyperhidrosis, this symptom is observed mainly during the daytime, but if the groin sweats during sleep, it is worth considering the pathological causes of this state of affairs.

True, in some cases the reason is self-neglect, when a person prefers cheaper and easier to wash underwear made of synthetic fabrics. Such underwear does not allow air to pass through well, and in combination with a blanket it creates a greenhouse effect, similar to a sauna. So it is not surprising if the body tries to reduce the temperature in the groin area by actively secreting sweat. And this will not be seen as any pathology until the increased humidity leads to skin irritation and the addition of a bacterial or fungal infection.

The intensity of symptoms of excessive sweating depends not only on the impact of factors such as heat, physical activity, food intake, but also on the degree (mild, moderate, severe) and stage of hyperhidrosis.

Primary hyperhidrosis can progress in different ways. In mild cases, excessive sweating does not cause a person much concern, since sweating occurs mainly under the influence of irritants and does not leave visible marks on clothing.

The average degree of hyperhidrosis is characterized by the fact that the volume of sweat secreted increases, so it is absorbed into clothing and leaves unsightly wet spots on it. It is clear that in the area between the legs such marks look unnatural (unlike the spots under the arms), and therefore, they bring a person not only physical but also psychological discomfort.

A severe degree of hyperhidrosis is manifested by the fact that the patient sweats not only the groin, but also the armpits, chest, back, and hands. We are talking rather about a generalized form of hyperhidrosis. In this case, sweat is secreted very actively even when the impact of irritating factors is practically not observed. There is a psychological factor here, when a person himself provokes profuse sweating, constantly worrying about his problem.

Severe hyperhidrosis is also associated with difficulties in communication, after all, constantly wet clothes, a damp handshake and the smell of sweat (if sweat is secreted almost constantly, hygiene procedures must be performed quite often, which, alas, is not always possible) are a significant repulsive factor. Many do not want to contact such people, they are rejected when applying for a job, their circle of friends and acquaintances is very limited. But negative reviews, jokes and jerks behind the eyes or behind the eyes become a variant of the norm.

It is also customary to distinguish 3 stages of hyperhidrosis development, caused mainly by pathological factors:

• Stage 1, as usual, is considered the mildest, since active sweating in the groin area does not cause noticeable discomfort or pain to the patient. Increased moisture in the groin area is perhaps the only symptom of this stage of the disease. In rare cases, the presence of moisture leads to skin irritation (especially with active movement), which manifests itself as redness of the skin.
• Stage 2 of hyperhidrosis is characterized by more intense sweating, which cannot remain unnoticed from the outside. But it is not only wet spots on clothes that bother a person. Constant moisture in a place where air access is limited leads to even greater irritation of the skin. Now microdamages and erosions can appear on it, which cause additional worries. Physical pain is added to psychological discomfort.
• Stage 3 of hyperhidrosis is a real test for the human psyche. Not only do sweat stains appear on clothes as soon as a person sits on a chair/armchair for a while, actively moves or shows anxiety, limit the choice of wardrobe, but an unpleasant smell also joins them, which makes a person avoid communication, have complexes, and withdraw into themselves.

Any degree of hyperhidrosis can negatively affect a person's mental and physical health. Everything depends on how the person perceives their problem. Some people make a tragedy out of even a mild degree of hyperhidrosis, while others prefer not to ruin their lives by paying attention to the frequently appearing wet spots between their legs, and focus the attention of others on their advantages, against which even such disadvantages as increased sweating of the groin area fade.

Diagnostics groin sweating

Despite the fact that excessive sweating in a person can be judged by its external manifestations (the presence of wet spots on clothes), the diagnosis of hyperhidrosis plays an important role, since it helps to identify hidden diseases of various organs and systems of the body. For this reason, the doctor listens very carefully to the patient's complaints and asks him leading questions that help to judge not only the degree of hyperhidrosis, but also the physiological or pathological causes that caused excessive activation of the sweat glands.

The patient is initially examined by a therapist or dermatologist, but if other pathologies are suspected, the person may be referred to an endocrinologist, oncologist, neurologist, urologist, etc. The doctor's clarifying questions boil down to the following points:

• when a person first discovered that he was sweating a lot,
• does the patient have to change underwear frequently due to excessive sweating,
• on what part of the body is there excessive sweating, is there a similar symptom in other places,
• whether the increase in the volume of sweat secreted is caused by changes in air or body temperature, stressful situations, food intake, physical activity, or is a constant symptom,
• do people around you notice this flaw?
• has the patient's weight changed in the recent past,
• Is there excessive sweating of the groin at night or is this symptom only present during the day?
• whether the person is taking medications, and which ones,
• is there an unpleasant smell of sweat,
• Did the patient's relatives have hyperhidrosis?
• What other unusual symptoms did the person notice in parallel with increased sweating (headaches, reddening of the skin, increased temperature, nervousness, etc.).

This is an incomplete list of leading questions that help the doctor determine the severity of the situation (the degree and stage of hyperhidrosis), as well as conduct differential diagnostics between primary and secondary hyperhidrosis. The fact is that primary hyperhidrosis, the cause of which is considered to be improper functioning of the sympathetic nervous system, requires independent treatment with drugs that reduce the activity of sweat glands. If hyperhidrosis is caused by health pathologies, then the emphasis should be on treating the underlying disease, while taking measures to combat excessive sweating. Drug-induced hyperhidrosis does not require treatment at all, it is enough to change the drug, and the problem goes away on its own.

Physical examination includes not only anamnesis, but also an external examination of the patient's clothing and skin in areas of increased sweating, palpation of the lymph nodes in the groin area, measurement of body temperature and blood pressure, and testing of motor functions to exclude neurological disorders.

The patient is required to undergo the following tests: clinical blood test (CBC) and general urine test (GUA). If a pathological cause of hyperhidrosis is suspected, additional laboratory tests may be prescribed: thyroid function test, blood glucose test, syphilis test, daily urine test, sputum test, etc.

Instrumental diagnostics are also carried out if there are grounds to suspect a pathological cause of excessive groin sweating. The doctor can prescribe both a regular fluorogram and more serious examinations: X-ray of the skull or spine, CT scan of the head, ECG.

In parallel, a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the sweat secreted by the body is carried out. In the first case, a chromographic method is used, which helps to clarify the spectrum of unsaturated fatty acids in the sweat and the type of hyperhidrosis. A quantitative assessment of increased sweating with determination of the degree and stage of sweating disorder can be carried out using two methods:

• The iodine starch test (aka Minor's test) allows you to identify the boundaries of excessive sweating, i.e. to outline the area of the body where the sweat glands are too active. The patient's skin is smeared with an iodine solution and sprinkled with starch. The dark blue area is the site of active sweating.
• The gravimetric method makes it possible to estimate the volume of sweat secreted and the speed at which it is secreted. The manipulations use filter paper, which after weighing is applied to the patient's body in the groin area for one minute. The paper is weighed again and the difference in mass is calculated, which indicates the volume of sweat secreted in milligrams. Since the study lasts exactly 1 minute, the speed of sweat secretion (measured in mg/min) will be equal to the resulting volume of physiological fluid, called sweat.

Only a full examination of the patient with identification of the causes of inguinal hyperhidrosis makes it possible to prescribe effective treatment that will help reduce sweating and improve the quality of life of patients. It is clear that the treatment of hyperhidrosis without eliminating the pathological cause of sweating disorder will have only a temporary effect. This means that it is necessary to treat first of all not a separate symptom of the disease, which is excessive sweating, but a specific disease in all its manifestations.

On the other hand, if you ignore the sudden appearance of excessive sweating, you can miss an important initial stage of the development of the disease, the symptom of which is hyperhidrosis. And everyone knows that the earlier the disease is detected, the easier it is to fight it.

[ 14 ], [ 15 ]

Treatment groin sweating

Active sweating in the intimate area is considered a rather delicate problem, with which not everyone is in a hurry to see a doctor. But doing nothing in such a situation is also not a solution. So people search the Internet for an answer to the question: what to do if the groin sweats?

It should be said right away that there are not so many treatment options for inguinal hyperhidrosis. After all, not every remedy and method that can be used to combat sweating of the armpits, palms and feet is suitable for use in the genital area.

The possibilities of physiotherapy treatment in this case are limited to taking therapeutic baths and contrast showers. Wave and temperature effects on the genitals (especially in men) can cause more harm than good. And conducting electrophoresis in the intimate area is somewhat difficult.

Some people recommend reducing fluid intake when you have groin sweating, but in this case, your skin, urinary system, and intestines are at risk. So, it's up to you to decide whether to use this method or not.

But giving up hot and spicy food is a completely logical decision. As well as proper rest or maintaining the temperature regime in the room (the air should be a little cool, but comfortable).

The fight against unpleasant odor and skin irritation in the intimate area under the influence of moisture should begin with maintaining personal hygiene. A daily shower, of course, will not solve all the problems, but will help to avoid complications. People with inguinal, and especially inguinal-perineal hyperhidrosis, are recommended to carry out intimate hygiene as often as possible than others.

As a detergent, it is better to use household, baby or tar soap, which have a pronounced antibacterial effect and reduce sweating somewhat. You can try using antibacterial soap or antiperspirant in the form of soap, but you should not place much hope in such products, especially with moderate and severe hyperhidrosis.

It will be much easier to combat sweating and odor in intimate areas if you get rid of hair in these areas. Underwear for patients with hyperhidrosis should be made strictly from natural fabrics, because synthetics, which do not allow air to pass through, can lead to sweating of the groin even in those for whom this problem is not relevant.

Underwear should be changed as often as possible, washed and ironed daily with a hot iron. Regular changes of bed linen are also recommended to prevent the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms on it. Bed linen, linen and bath accessories should be individual.

Talc-based powders with added plant extracts or Urotropin powder can also reduce sweat secretion somewhat and prevent skin irritation.

In the treatment of generalized and inguinal hyperhidrosis, doctors join the opinion of traditional medicine supporters about the benefits of baths with infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs. Chamomile flowers, succession, oak and willow bark, yarrow and celandine grass are used as medicinal raw materials. Infusion of birch buds and decoction of pine needles will also be useful.

In cases where the groin sweats very much and no means help to reduce sweating, resort to injection treatment. One of the drugs is injected into the area of increased sweating for 2-3 sessions: Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, after which the patient does not suffer from a constantly wet groin for six months or a little more. Subsequently, the procedure will have to be repeated, but what won't you do in order to feel free and comfortable in any situation, and not worry that an unambiguous wet spot will suddenly appear between your legs.

Sessions with a psychologist and, in severe cases, with a psychotherapist (for example, with a psychogenic type of pathology or strong feelings about one's own shortcomings) are provided for inguinal hyperhidrosis. There is nothing shameful about this, because this is a real chance to become a normal member of society, and not to live life locked in a shell alone with one's problem.

Doctors resort to surgical treatment only in the most extreme cases. In this case, the sweat glands are scraped out along with the adjacent skin and subcutaneous tissue. It is clear that in the intimate area, such operations can be accompanied by various complications. For example, manipulations with the sympathetic nerve in inguinal hyperhidrosis are not used due to the fact that other nerves responsible for sexual function and urination can be damaged.

Drug treatment

Traditional conservative treatment in case of excessive sweating of the groin area is also not very widespread. At the same time, the choice of effective drugs depends on the cause of excessive sweating.

For local use in case of groin sweating, you can use preparations in the form of ointments, sprays, powder. Alcohol solutions have an irritating effect and are not very suitable for regular use in intimate areas. Preparations based on formaldehyde and aluminum salts have proven themselves best in the fight against excessive sweating. The latter are used mainly in antiperspirants (some of them are pharmacy products).

Among the preparations containing formaldehyde, for hyperhidrosis of the groin area, formalin ointment and the drug "Formagel" can be used.

"Formalin ointment" is a multi-component preparation with a cream base, which in addition to formalin contains salicylic and boric acid, as well as glycerin. The ointment is characterized by: antibacterial, drying, protective and reducing the activity of sweat glands action.

The ointment should be used in the area of increased sweating only once a day in the evening. The product should be applied only to dry skin that has been thoroughly washed with soap. If irritation or allergic reactions occur at the site of use, the product will have to be replaced with a more suitable product.

It is not recommended to apply formalin ointment to damaged skin, especially to purulent foci. Do not use in case of hypersensitivity to the drug.

The drug "Formagel" has a higher concentration of formaldehyde compared to the ointment, so its effect lasts for 7-10 days with a single application. The medicine cannot be left on the skin for a long time, so it is washed off 20 minutes after application and lightly powdered with baby powder.

Formaldehyde-based products should not be used without a doctor's prescription, as these products are not safe at all.

Another effective drug for sweating is called "Urotropin". It does not contain formaldehyde, but its components, entering into a reaction, release this substance as a metabolite. The drug is used locally (powder or solution). The solution is used in pure form, the powder is diluted 1:1 with water and applied to the skin using a cotton pad.

The procedure is carried out no more than once every 2 weeks, after removing the hair in the groin area and allowing the irritation to subside. The medicine should not be applied to damaged skin.

Effective local medications for combating inguinal hyperhidrosis include Teymurov paste (contains formaldehyde), which can be applied to the skin 1 to 3 times a day. But it should be taken into account that the product can leave marks on clothing.

Safer remedies include preparations based on natural components: Malavit solution and gel (use 2 times a day without rinsing), Alunite deodorant stone, Apilak tablets and ointment (dissolve 1 tablet 2 times a day if there is no allergy to bee products). These drugs cause a minimum number of side effects (allergic reactions due to hypersensitivity to the components of the drug) and contraindications (individual intolerance), and Apilak allows you to normalize the condition of patients with hypertension and vegetative-vascular dystonia (VVD) - pathologies, against which increased sweating is most often observed.

Among the tablets that suppress the secretion of apocrine glands, which are prescribed for moderate and severe forms of local hyperhidrosis, we can highlight "Clonidine", "Oxybutynin", "Atropine". The latter is used only in very severe situations, since it has a negative effect on the body.

These are drugs that have a hypotensive and sedative effect, capable of inhibiting sympathetic impulses, thereby reducing the activity of sweat glands. They are prescribed with great caution, and the doses are set strictly individually.

"Clonidine" is started at a dosage of 0.075 mg three times a day (0.225 mg per day). The maximum daily dose of the drug can be increased to 2.4 mg.

The drug is not prescribed for severe depression, atherosclerosis of the central and peripheral vessels, sinus bradycardia, heart block of 2-3 degrees, hypersensitivity to the drug. It cannot be taken together with tricyclic antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Imipramine, Doxepin, etc.).

Side effects of the drug are rarely severe, but they occur not so rarely. Patients may suffer from dry mouth, nasal congestion, severe fatigue and a desire to sleep. Their motor and mental reactions are slowed down. Constipation, decreased sexual activity, bradycardia, anxiety, etc. occur much less often.

"Atropine" can be prescribed both in tablets and in the form of intramuscular injections. The dosage is strictly individual. Most often, the dose for tablets and injections does not exceed 0.25 or 0.5 mg (frequency - 1-2 times a day). Less often, a higher dosage may be prescribed, but not more than 1 mg per dose.

The drug is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to its components and urination disorders due to prostate adenoma.

Side effects of the drug: dry mouth, temporary visual impairment, decreased intestinal tone, difficulty urinating, dizziness, strong and frequent heartbeat.

If the groin sweats during menopause, VSD or against the background of neuroses, natural preparations based on belladonna extract are prescribed, which have a sedative and antispasmodic effect.

For example, the combination drug "Bellataminal" is recommended to be taken 1 tablet twice a day for 2-4 weeks.

But you need to be careful, because this medicine is not allowed for everyone. It is not indicated for angina, atherosclerosis, spasms of peripheral arteries, glaucoma, pregnancy. Lactation and in childhood.

Since excessive sweating (a liquid containing about 250 components, including many substances necessary for the body) is accompanied by the loss of useful vitamins and minerals, it makes sense to think about replenishing what has been lost. Taking vitamin and mineral complexes will not get rid of sweating, but it will help preserve your health.

Folk remedies

We will not dwell on the benefits of regular baths with herbal decoctions, which have an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect and have a tonic effect on the entire body. Let's talk about other effective means that traditional medicine offers to combat sweating.

For example, baths can be made not only with herbal ingredients, but also with vinegar (1 liter of six percent vinegar is needed for 1 bath) or soda (5 tablespoons are enough). Beer in the amount of 1 liter can also be used as a useful additive to the bath.

Bath water should not be hot. Warm water does not increase sweating, as happens with hot water, so temperatures of 37-40 degrees are considered the most preferable. You should take a bath for 15-20 minutes in a calm environment.

According to folk medicine recipes, it is recommended to drink tea with mint and lemon balm more often. But herbal treatment does not end there. For example, the skin in the groin area and perineum can be wiped with a decoction of birch buds, an infusion of chamomile with soda (1 tbsp. soda per 1 liter of decoction), an infusion of oak bark with lemon juice, etc.

[ 16 ]

Homeopathy

Many people doubt that local hyperhidrosis can be treated with such "questionable" means as homeopathic preparations. However, homeopathic experts claim that with the help of homeopathic remedies it is possible not only to temporarily reduce sweating, but even to get rid of this problem forever.

And this is not surprising, especially if we consider that in homeopathy one and the same drug can treat many different diseases. That is, by choosing the right drug and effective dosage (dilution and volume), you can achieve not only a reduction in the intensity of the symptom (sweating in the groin), but also cure the underlying disease.

The main thing is to choose the right drug (if we are talking about monotherapy, i.e. about the unicist approach), several different drugs (in the case of monotherapy, or complex homeopathy) or a couple of homeopathic remedies that will need to be taken alternately (pluralistic approach in homeopathy).

Here are some examples of medications that are successfully used in patients with complaints of groin sweating, as part of combination and monotherapy:

• For general and localized sweating, the very effective medicine Hepar-sulfur in 6 and 12 potencies (dilutions) is often prescribed.
• For excessive sweating of the groin, perineum and genitals, a drug such as Thuja helps well.
• For general or local hyperhidrosis that occurs during menopause, a homeopathic doctor will prescribe the drug Yaborandi.
• For night sweating, Iodine, Carbo animalis in 6 dilutions, Conium in 3.6 and 12 dilutions, Silica in 6.12 and 30 dilutions will be useful.

But for now we are talking about fighting hyperhidrosis directly. Based on the cause of the pathology, an experienced homeopath can prescribe other medications or several medications at the same time to defeat the disease itself, and not just its symptoms. Moreover, such treatment will be safer than the use of antiperspirants and products with formaldehyde. After all, the doses of active substances in homeopathic preparations are so small that they are simply incapable of harming the human body, even if these are toxic substances (taking poison in small doses is problematic to poison yourself, but it is quite possible to make the body more resistant to the effects of toxic substances).

An important condition for the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment is the selection of drugs by an experienced specialist in the field of homeopathy. Too many specific points need to be taken into account when selecting drugs and their dosage. Even the most effective homeopathic medicine can hardly be used to get rid of groin sweating and other diseases by prescribing it yourself. This is not "Analgin", which everyone drinks, and it helps everyone get rid of headaches and mild toothaches. A professional and strictly individual approach to each patient is needed here.

It is not worth dwelling on the fact that you need to strictly adhere to the prescribed dosage and be prepared for the treatment to be quite long. After all, the principles of homeopathy are not based on the fastest relief of symptoms; the goal of homeopathic treatment is to make the body heal itself with minimal outside help.

Complications and consequences

As we have already understood, severe sweating of the groin area imposes certain restrictions on a person's desires and capabilities, which cannot but have a most negative impact on the quality of his life. Moreover, the higher the stage of hyperhidrosis, the more such restrictions in clothing, freedom of action and communication.

As for clothing, light or dark tight underwear becomes a taboo even at stage 2 of the disease, but only because of the appearance of wet spots on it, which often have a colored border. The smell of sweat is present in this case if the clothes are not washed regularly, and also if personal hygiene requirements are ignored. Wet clothes at a mild and moderate stage of hyperhidrosis bring not so much physical as physiological discomfort, so a person prefers not to wear them if active walking, physical labor, in hot weather, and also in the case when you have to sit in one place for a long time.

Furthermore, when diaper rash and wounds appear in the groin area, such clothing will cause physical discomfort, additionally injuring the skin damaged due to high humidity, so it has to be completely abandoned.

The fact that the groin sweats and smells (usually sweat has almost no smell) is associated with opportunistic flora living on our skin, which, under the influence of heat and moisture, begins to actively multiply, causing an unpleasant smell. This smell is associated with the products of bacterial activity, and the more microorganisms on the skin, the more distinct the "aroma".

And the appearance of areas on the body with a violation of the integrity of the skin only attracts various bacteria. Where there is a wound, exudate is released, which is considered an excellent nutrient medium for microorganisms.

A foul smell of sweat is also characteristic of inguinal-perineal hyperhidrosis. After all, the number of bacteria of various kinds is higher in the anal area than in other parts of the body. Plus, microscopic remains of feces hidden in the folds of the anus add fuel to the fire. In this case, wet spots on clothing appear not only between the legs, but also in the intergluteal space up to the tailbone (along the back seam of pants or a skirt).

If a person complains of itching and sweating in the groin, it is possible that the cause of this condition is a fungal infection, which also loves a warm and humid environment where it can easily multiply. Itching can also be a symptom of a viral infection, such as genital herpes, which is activated by decreased immunity and high humidity.

The addition or complication of infection at the last stage of the disease leads to the formation of large (sometimes festering) hard-to-heal ulcers on the skin of the upper thighs, genitals, perineum from microdamages, causing severe physical discomfort, and sometimes colored stains on clothing. At this point, there is no time for tight-fitting clothes.

It is somewhat easier for men in this regard, because tight-fitting clothes and underwear are not held in high esteem. But if a woman's groin sweats a lot, this is already a tragedy in psychological terms. After all, hiding this flaw behind loose clothing, a woman tends to underestimate her own self-esteem. Envy of those who can wear tight clothes, irritability, anger appear. And this is against the background of constant worries about the appearance of hated wet spots and odor on clothes (even if they are loose-fitting), and then mental disorders are not far away.

If men sweat a lot in the groin, problems of a different nature arise. It is not for nothing that men's testicles are placed outside the body, because they do not require the high temperatures that are typical for other areas of the human body. Heat and moisture in the scrotum area do not contribute to the health of the male reproductive system. And the appearance of irritations and wounds in the genital area significantly worsens intimate life (this also applies to women).

When the groin sweats heavily and the skin in the genital area is constantly wet, there is always a risk of irritation in the form of diaper rash. Friction of wet areas of skin against each other in the area of the thighs, perineum, external genitalia leads to the formation of painful bright pink, red or red-brown oval-shaped spots with uneven edges, which can subsequently darken and peel. This pathology is called erythrasma due to the reddish glow of the damaged skin area when illuminated by a fluorescent lamp.

The culprit of the disease is considered to be Corynebacterium minutissimum, which belongs to the category of low-pathogenic microflora, which is normally present on the surface of the skin of healthy people, without causing pathological changes. The penetration of the microorganism into the epidermal layers of the skin, among other things, is facilitated by increased humidity in this area of the body. As a result, smooth foci of a darker color than normal skin are formed on the skin, on which small bran-like scales are visible. Occasionally, the disease is accompanied by slight itching.

Once it appears, erythrasma can periodically appear in the same place for 10 years or more. In the area between the legs, erythrasma develops mainly in men, localizing in the places where the thighs touch (sometimes it is diagnosed in the fair sex, if a woman often sweats in the groin), the skin around the anus, and directly on the scrotum, which is subject to friction with other skin folds. And if the appearance of dark inflamed spots in the anal area is fraught with pain during defecation, then inguinal erythrasma has the most negative effect on a man's sex life.

[ 17 ], [ 18 ], [ 19 ], [ 20 ], [ 21 ], [ 22 ]

Prevention

It is very difficult to make any specific predictions for hyperhidrosis, because this pathology can have many causes. In some cases, excessive sweating can only be dealt with by closely treating the underlying disease. And if the problem is hereditary, the only way out will be to try to correct the situation somewhat with homeopathy or Botox injections and similar drugs.

It should be said that the use of various local remedies will show good results only in mild and moderate cases of hyperhidrosis. If the sweat, as they say, runs like a stream, you should not place great hopes on sprays, creams and pastes, although they will certainly help to remove the unpleasant smell.

If excessive sweating is caused by diseases, then there is simply no point in fighting hyperhidrosis as one of the symptoms of pathology. Such treatment will only give temporary results. At the same time, the disease will gradually move from an acute state to an advanced stage. So, in this case, sweating of the groin can be viewed as a reason to seriously take care of your health.

As for the prevention of inguinal hyperhidrosis, we can give some useful advice to those who did not inherit this “happiness”:

• timely treatment of infectious, cardiovascular, endocrine, nervous and other diseases will help to avoid hyperhidrosis associated with these pathologies,
• wearing underwear and clothing made from natural fabrics will prevent the activation of sweat glands due to overheating in the groin area, which is observed when using synthetics,
• regular hygiene of the body in the pelvic area (and not only) using household or tar soap will help to avoid the appearance of an unpleasant odor if sweat in the groin does appear,
• the likelihood of psychogenic hyperhidrosis will be much lower if a person learns to manage their emotions and does not take many things to heart,
• if there is a need to take medications, you need to carefully study the instructions for each drug in the "side effects" section to know what you may encounter during treatment; the fact that the drug can cause increased sweating will definitely be noted in the instructions,
• baths with herbal decoctions, as well as with a solution of salt or soda will be useful not only as a therapeutic, but also as a preventive procedure,
• It has been noted that active sports, which seem to increase sweat secretion, also help combat the problem of hyperhidrosis,
• You should always monitor the air temperature in your living space; fresh cool air in the room is an excellent preventative measure against many diseases, including excessive sweating (you don’t need to provoke your body to fight overheating due to the heat in the room).

But if these tips do not help, and the groin continues to sweat, it is probably worth undergoing a more thorough medical examination, which will help to understand the cause of such a disruption of the sweat glands. And only after that can we talk about developing a plan for an effective solution to the problem of hyperhidrosis.