Dear colleagues; with the warming weather, an increase in the number of patients visiting our pharmacies with complaints of sweating should be expected. Therefore, we should review our knowledge regarding sweating.
While the number of sweat glands in an adult varies between 2–5 million, approximately 3 million of them are sweat glands that secrete an odorless, clear fluid. Most of the clear sweat-secreting glands are located on the soles of the feet, palms, and face. Sweat glands that secrete thick and odorous sweat are found in specific areas such as the underarms and genital area.
WHAT IS SWEATING? The primary function of sweating is the regulation of body temperature.
Sweating is a natural function of our metabolism that occurs completely involuntarily. Moreover, it serves two important functions for our body: it moisturizes the skin, regulates body temperature, and contributes to the body’s excretory system.
Sweat is actually colorless and odorless when secreted. However, bacteria multiply rapidly in warm and moist environments such as the underarms, causing this secretion to smell unpleasant.
Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
It is divided into two categories: Primary Hyperhidrosis (unknown cause, generally seen in healthy individuals) and Secondary Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating resulting from another condition, such as hormonal dysregulation or hyperthyroidism).
Treatment methods
Lifestyle modifications: Reducing salt and spices, wearing cotton clothing.
Topical antiperspirant metal powders: Requires frequent application and may cause skin irritation.
Systemic anticholinergic medications: They have limited use due to side effects such as constipation and blurred vision.
Iontophoresis: Requires 2 or more treatments per week. It can be used on the palms and soles of the feet.
Botox procedure: Its effect begins to appear in the first week and lasts 4–7 months. It has no significant side effects. It is a safe method. Minor temporary hematomas and weakness in the arms may occur as side effects.
Benefits of Sweating
The primary benefit is that the fluid secreted by the sweat glands evaporates after being expelled from the body, thereby maintaining the body’s thermal balance in extreme heat. The secondary benefit of sweating is indicated as the excretion of urea, uric acid, salt, and other harmful substances from the human body through perspiration. Through sweating in individuals who exercise consciously or use saunas in a controlled manner, salt and other toxins are eliminated from the body, thus reducing the workload of the liver and kidneys, which perform this function in the body.
However, excessive sweating causes psychological conditions such as social anxiety in individuals.
There are numerous magistral (compounding) formula options available for the treatment of excessive sweating. Among these, we will examine a preparation in lotion form.
LOTIO ANTIHYPERHIDROTICA (PMF-FMP)
SOLUTION CONTRE LA TRANSPIRATION – LOTION AGAINST SWEATING
Alumen ………………………..1.5 g
Tinctura belladonnae…..…….5.0 g
Solutio antiseptica ………….….50.0 g
Aetheroleum lavandulae .…..0.2 g
Aqua ad ……………………..…100.0 ml
Active ingredients in the formula:
Alumen – Potassium aluminum sulfate – Alum: It has hygroscopic and astringent properties. Alum is an astringent / hemostatic and antiseptic agent. It can also be used as a natural deodorant that prevents the proliferation of bacteria responsible for body odor. While commonly used by barbers for minor bleeding after shaving, it is also preferred for reducing bleeding from minor cuts, abrasions, epistaxis, and hemorrhoids.
Tinctura belladonnae – Belladonna tincture: Belladonna is a herbal drug obtained from the Atropa belladonna plant belonging to the Solanaceae family. It is preferred in this formula due to its anticholinergic effect, which reduces the activity of sweat glands. The origin of its common name (‘beautiful lady’) stems from its historical use by women in ancient Rome to dilate their pupils in order to appear more attractive.
Aetheroleum lavandulae: Lavender essential oil is used as an aromatizing agent in pharmaceutical preparations and perfumery.
Preparation of the formula
While the alum (alumen) is dissolved in most of the distilled water, the lavender essential oil is dissolved in the previously prepared antiseptic solution. The alum dissolved in distilled water is combined with the antiseptic solution mixed with lavender essential oil, and finally, belladonna tincture is added and the preparation is completed by making up to the specified volume with distilled water.
Directions for use: Applied externally in the evening for excessive sweating, and the body areas where the formula was applied are cleansed in the morning.
Wishing you a pleasant week…
Specialist Pharmacist Ahmet Nezihi Pekcan
Pekcan Pharmacy – Konya
[email protected]
Tel: (332) 3520657
http://www.majistralformul.com/
