Sweat odor, skin problems, and apocrine glands: Let's learn about them simply!

We all sweat. Sometimes, especially when we're nervous, like before a big event, we get really embarrassed by the sweat under our armpits, right? Some people also have problems with body odor (we call it body odor). Did you know that these things are related to a type of tiny gland in our skin, a type of small sac-like thing? Those glands are called apocrine glands . Today, we'll talk about what these are, how they work in our bodies, what problems they can cause us, and what we can do about them.

What are Apocrine Glands? Very simple!

Simply put, apocrine glands are small structures inside your skin. They are what make and excrete things that our bodies need, such as thick, oily sweat and earwax (which we call earwax). These apocrine glands belong to the exocrine system of our body. This means that the things they make are released through ducts (small tubes).

Just think, these apocrine glands even have different names because they work in different places. Take a look at these examples:

• Apocrine sweat glands: These are found mostly in our armpits and genital areas. They produce a thick, oily type of sweat. Although the exact function of this sweat is not yet known, some scientists believe that it may play a role in sexual attraction.
• Moll's glands: These are located just outside our eyelids, between the upper and lower eyelids. The secretions they produce help protect our eyes from germs like bacteria.
• Ceruminous glands: These are located in the outer part of our ear, just inside the funnel-shaped part that goes into the ear canal. They work together with another type of gland in the ear, the sebaceous glands (which produce oil). Your ceruminous glands secrete peptides (which are chains of amino acids) and antimicrobial proteins . These are what protect your ear from infections.

In this article, we'll be talking mostly about the apocrine sweat glands mentioned earlier, because they're the ones most involved in our daily lives.

What actually happens to the Apocrine Sweat Glands?

When you feel a strong emotion, like when you're feeling very stressed or excited, your apocrine sweat glands produce sweat. This is called "emotional sweating." Experts still don't know exactly what this sweat does in humans. But in other mammals, this type of sweat has been found to help with sexual attraction. But even if it does exist in humans, it's thought to be a very small part of the equation.

You've probably heard that sweat glands produce sweat to cool your body when you're hot. That's true! However, your apocrine sweat glands do very little to help with this process, or thermoregulation . Instead, another type of sweat gland in our bodies , the eccrine glands, do the main job. When you exercise, or when you get a fever, your eccrine glands produce most of the sweat you need to cool your body.

So, where on the body are these apocrine sweat glands located?

Apocrine sweat glands are located within the layers of our skin. But they are not found everywhere on the body, but are most abundant in a few specific areas. Here are some of those areas:

• Under your armpits (also called `axillae`).
• The area between your genitals and anus (called the `perineum`).
• The area around your belly button (periumbilical area).
• The round, dark area of ​​skin around each nipple (the `areola`).
• On the outer edges of your lips (`vermillion border`).

These are the places where these glands are most abundant.

What are the parts of an apocrine sweat gland? How is it formed?

There are actually two main parts to an apocrine sweat gland:

1. A large, coiled structure that produces sweat (secretory coil) . Think of it like a ball of thread, coiled up. That's where sweat is produced.

2. A narrow channel that carries sweat . This channel connects to a nearby hair follicle . A hair follicle is a small hole in our skin where hairs come out.

How does sweat come out of these glands?

Here's a little different. The sweat from the apocrine sweat glands doesn't come directly to the surface of the skin. Instead, the sweat first goes into the hair follicle. Then it travels up the hair follicle, that is, up the hair shaft, and comes to the surface of the skin. That's why sometimes when you sweat in places like your armpits, you can see that the hair shaft is wet.

When do these apocrine glands start functioning?

Although you are born with apocrine sweat glands, they only start working when you reach puberty . This is probably due to hormonal changes that occur during that time. But that doesn't mean you don't sweat before then. The eccrine sweat glands mentioned earlier are active from birth, so you sweat a lot even when you are young.

However, the apocrine glands in your ears (ceruminous glands) and the apocrine glands in your eyelids (Moll's glands) start working from the day you are born.

What are the diseases associated with apocrine sweat glands?

Sometimes, these apocrine sweat glands can cause us various problems. Let's look at some of these conditions:

1. Body odor (Bromhidrosis)

This is the most common condition that can affect a person's apocrine sweat glands. Apocrine sweat doesn't actually have an odor at first. However, when bacteria on your skin combine with this sweat and break it down, a strong, unpleasant odor results. Treatment for this can include medications prescribed by doctors, some medical procedures, and taking care of personal hygiene. It's important to shower well and keep areas like your armpits dry.

2. Apocrine Miliaria (Apocrine Miliaria / Fox-Fordyce Disease)

This is a chronic skin condition. What happens here is that sweat gets trapped inside the apocrine glands. Then the glands swell, and the sweat starts leaking into the surrounding skin tissue. This causes inflammation , and itchy blisters appear in areas where the apocrine glands are located, such as under the armpits. This condition mostly affects women . Treatments for this range from skin-soothing medications to plastic surgery.

3. Hidradenitis Suppurativa / Acne Inversa

This is an autoimmune skin condition . Simply put, it is caused by the body's own immune system. This causes painful, itchy bumps to form on the skin, which can keep coming back. These bumps form in areas where the apocrine glands are located. Treatment includes taking good care of the skin, taking painkillers, and taking medications to reduce inflammation and treat any infections that may occur.

When should you seek medical advice?

Sweating and having a little body odor are usually nothing to worry about. However, if you experience any of the following, it's a good idea to see a doctor:

• If you have itchy blisters under your armpits, in your genital area, or elsewhere , and you can't figure out what's causing them.
• If you feel like your skin has a new, unusual odor .
• If you feel like you're sweating too much, or sweating too little .

At times like this, don't be afraid, see a doctor and get advice.

What is the difference between endocrine glands and apocrine glands?

These two names are a bit similar, so it's easy to get confused. But they're completely different.

• Endocrine glands are glands that make hormones and release them directly into your bloodstream.
• Apocrine glands do not produce hormones. They belong to the group called exocrine glands . They produce other substances, such as sweat and sebum. These substances are also released through ducts onto the surface of body tissues.

Simply put, endocrine glands make hormones, and apocrine glands make things like sweat.

You probably remember how sometimes, when you were really nervous – maybe before a presentation, or when you were meeting someone new – you would sweat under your armpits without any reason! At that time, your apocrine sweat glands were working, no matter how much you tried to "Don't sweat!", it didn't work, right?

But sometimes, the sweat from your apocrine glands can be more than just a nuisance. It can cause medical conditions that affect your daily life. So, if you have symptoms like bumps, itchy blisters, or unbearable body odor, see a doctor. They can find the cause and help you find relief.

Finally, the most important thing (Take-Home Message)

So, now you know a lot about apocrine glands. They are a normal part of our body. However, their function can sometimes cause discomfort or disease.

• Take care of cleanliness: Wash and dry areas, especially under the armpits and genitals, where there are more apocrine glands.
• Be aware of unusual changes: Be concerned if you notice anything new on your skin, such as blisters, bumps, or an unbearable odor.
• Seek medical advice without fear: If you have a problem, don't make it a big deal and ask a doctor.

Remember, being aware of your body helps you stay healthy!

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