Sweat Glands - Types and Disorders
Foot OdorSweat glands, found in the dermis (lower part of the skin) of all mammal species, are used for body temperature regulation and emotional response. It is a long, hollow, coiled tube of cells. Sweat is produced in the coiled part of cells. The average person has 2.6 million sweat glands in their skin. There are two types of sweat glands. These are the eccrine and the apocrine.
Eccrine
This type is the most abundant, that are found all over the body, mainly on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and forehead. Eccrine secretion is a watery clear, hypotonic solution composed of water, potassium lactate, sodium, organic compounds, ammonia, ornithine, urea, serine, citrulline, heavy metals, aspartic acid, and proteolytic enzymes.
The primary function of the eccrine gland is thermoregulation. When your body temperature rises, your nervous system stimulates these sweat glands to secrete fluid onto the surface of your skin, cooling your body as it evaporates. Emotional stressors tend to stimulate sweating in the palms and soles.
Apocrine
This type has limited distribution, found in armpits (axilla), near the anal area (perianal), genital area, nipple (areole), around the belly button (periumbilical), external ear canal and eyelids. They usually end in hair follicles rather than pores. Apocrine secretion is a thick, milky fluid and produced in smaller amounts than eccrine. It consist of ammonia, protein, lipids, and chromogranins. Although odorless at first, as it comes in contact with bacteria on the surface of the skin, an odor builds up. The exact function of apocrine glands is unclear, even though they are believed to represent scent glands. Secretions from these glands happen most often during periods of emotional anxiety or sexual excitement.
Comparison
Eccrine glands are smaller than apocrine glands and produce a sweat that is protein and fatty acids free. Unlike apocrine (become active only at puberty), eccrine glands are active from birth.
Disorders of Sweat Glands
Hyperhidrosis or excessive perspiration is caused by over active sweat glands. It affects millions of people around the world. There are many forms of hyperhidrosis. The most common is primary focal hyperhidrosis (PFHH). This condition is not caused by physical activity. It might be an inherited condition that is usually detected in early childhood. PFHH mostly affects armpits, hands and feet.
Symptoms of Hyperhidrosis
Palmer hyperhidrosis refers to excessive sweating of the hand. The amount of sweating differs from moisture to literally dripping from the hands. Usually patients with this condition are self-conscious and may be reluctant to shake hands or hold hands with their love ones.
Plantar hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating of the feet, is recognized as a cause of athlete's feet and foot odor. When you're a driver, the combination of palmer and plantar hyperhidrosis is a big problem because the wetness of the hands and feet can build up making the steering wheel and foot pedals slippery.
Axillary hyperhidrosis, excessive underarm sweating, makes embarrassing wet marks on shirts.
Facial hyperhidrosis refers to sweating of the face. A person with this condition is usually insecure, looking too-anxious, when this is not actually the case.
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