Do you remember a time when you were in school and felt a little nervous or anxious before taking an exam or going for a job interview? No matter how hard you tried to stay calm, you couldn't stop sweating under your armpits. This happens to many people. So why does this happen? Why do we sweat with our emotions even when we're not hot or tired? Today we're going to talk about the part of our body that's behind this secret, the apocrine glands.
What are these apocrine glands?
Simply put, apocrine glands are a type of tiny gland found inside our skin. They are part of our body's exocrine system. "Exocrine" is the name given to the secretions produced by these glands, which are released through small tubes called ducts, onto the surface of the body. These glands produce things like thick, oily sweat and earwax.
However, these apocrine glands are not all the same. They are called by different names depending on where they are located in our body and what they do. Let's take a look at the three main types.
| Gland type | Where is it? | What are you doing? |
|---|---|---|
| Apocrine sweat glands | Mainly in the armpits and genital areas. | It produces thick, oily sweat. Although its exact function has not been determined, it is thought to have some connection to sexual attraction. |
| Moll's glands | At the edge of the eyelashes (bottom and top). | They secrete a substance that protects the eyes from germs and helps with immunity. |
| Ceruminous glands | On the outside of the ear (inside the ear canal). | They work together with sebaceous glands in the ear to produce earwax. The peptides and antiseptic proteins they produce protect the ear from infections. |
In this article, we will focus mainly on the apocrine sweat glands, which are a problem for many people.
What actually happens to apocrine sweat glands?
We usually think of sweating as a way to control our body temperature, right? That story is true. But it's called thermoregulation. But the main contributor to that function is a special type of sweat gland called the eccrine glands . When you exercise, when you get hot, it's those eccrine glands that cool your body by sweating all over.
What about these apocrine glands? These work in a different way. These glands produce sweat when we experience strong emotions . For example:
- Severe stress
- Fear
- Excitement
- Anxiety
This is called "emotional sweating." Scientists still don't fully understand the function of this sweating in humans. While in some animal species, the smell of this sweat is a factor in sexual attraction, it is believed that this function may occur only to a small extent in humans.
Simply put, the sweat you produce when you're running and playing comes from one type of gland. But the thick sweat you produce in your armpits when you're scared and anxious comes from these apocrine glands.
Where are these glands located?
These apocrine sweat glands are not found everywhere on our bodies. They are mainly found in a few specific places. These are:
- Armpits (Axillae)
- Perineum (the area between the genitals and the anus)
- Periumbilical area
- The dark skin around the nipple (areola)
- Vermillion border on the outer edges of the lips
You may notice that these GrungGLISH are often located in areas where there are hair follicles. There is a reason for that.
How does sweat come out of these glands?
Unlike other sweat glands, apocrine glands do not release sweat directly onto the skin surface. These glands are connected to a nearby hair follicle . The sweat first enters the hair follicle. It then travels up the hair shaft to the surface of the skin. The sweat produced is thick, oily, and milky.
When do apocrine glands become active?
This is a very important point. Although apocrine sweat glands are present in our bodies when we are born, they do not start working. They start working after we reach puberty. That is, usually around the age of 12-14. The reason for this is the hormonal changes that occur during that time.
Do you remember when you were a kid, no matter how much you sweated while playing, your body didn't smell? That's because only the eccrine glands were working at that time. When you reach puberty, the apocrine glands start working, and that sweat combines with the bacteria on the skin's surface, which is what causes that unpleasant body odor .
However, the ceruminous glands in our ears and the sebaceous glands in our eyelids start working from the day we are born.
Diseases that may occur related to these glands
Sometimes, various diseases can occur related to these apocrine glands. Let's take a look at the main ones.
| Medical condition | Simply put... | Common symptoms and treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Bromhidrosis - body odor | This is the most common condition associated with these glands. This is the pungent, unpleasant odor that results from the sweat from the apocrine glands being broken down by bacteria on the surface of our skin. | The most important thing is cleanliness. Bathing with soap daily, keeping areas like armpits dry, using antibacterial soaps, and using antiperspirants/deodorants are important. If the condition is severe, it is essential to see a doctor . |
| Apocrine miliaria (Fox-Fordyce disease) | This occurs when the ducts that carry sweat from the apocrine glands become blocked. The sweat gland becomes blocked, the gland swells, and sweat leaks into the surrounding tissue. This causes inflammation. | Itchy, small blister-like bumps appear in places like the armpits and genitals. This condition is common among women. There are treatments ranging from topical medications to minor surgeries. A doctor's advice is definitely needed. |
| Hidradenitis suppurativa (also known as acne inversa) | This is an autoinflammatory skin condition that causes recurring, painful, large boils in areas with apocrine glands. These can fester and become scarred. | This is a bit of a complicated condition. Treatment includes keeping the skin clean, painkillers, anti-infectives, and anti-inflammatory medications. It is important to consult a dermatologist . |
When should you see a doctor?
It's normal to sweat a little or have a slight odor. However, if you have any of the following symptoms, it's best to see your doctor for advice.
- If you have unexplained itchy blisters or bumps in your armpits, genitals, or elsewhere.
- If you notice a new or unusual odor coming from your skin.
- If you feel like you sweat too much (Hyperhidrosis) or don't sweat at all .
- If you have recurring painful lumps where the apocrine glands are located.
Remember, don't be afraid to tell a doctor about any unusual skin symptoms. Early treatment can prevent many complications.
Finally, remember how we started the story with sweating before a presentation? Even though you may feel a little uncomfortable at times like that, you now know that it's a normal way for your body to respond to emotions. The apocrine glands are behind it. However, if that sweating or other related symptoms are interfering with your daily life, be sure to seek medical advice. They can help you find the cause and help you find relief.
Take-Home Message
- Apocrine sweat glands are different from the regular sweat glands (ecrine) that produce sweat. They are mainly activated by emotions such as fear and stress.
- These glands begin to function with puberty. This is why body odor (sweaty odor) begins to occur.
- Sweat odor is not caused by sweat itself. It is caused by apocrine sweat being broken down by bacteria on the skin. That's why cleanliness is so important.
- Don't ignore persistent itchy blisters or recurring painful boils in areas like the armpits and groin.
- It is best to consult a doctor for any unusual changes in your skin or problems related to sweating.
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