Sweating

Sweating is a natural bodily function and is your body’s way of cooling down during a warm day or after physical exertion.  You may also sweat extra if you feel embarrassed, worried or stressed. When you become very warm, a nerve signal is sent to your sweat glands, which are located directly beneath the surface of your skin, and your sweat glands then start to produce sweat. When the sweat evaporates, your body cools down and can maintain the right body temperature. Most people regulate their body temperature through their palms and the soles of their feet, and by sweating under their arms. 

Individuals who are missing all or parts of their arms or legs often perceive that they have problems with excessive sweating to a greater extent than other people, and that they can start to sweat after only a small amount of physical exertion. This is due to the fact that their bodies have a smaller area of skin with which to regulate their body temperature. Many of these individuals perceive that they sweat more in the face, around the head and around the torso. Not only can this prove troublesome, it can also feel very embarrassing. Some people sweat so much that they may need to change their clothes more often, which can be particularly problematic if you require help to get undressed and dressed. 

There are a number of things you can do to minimise your sweating - we have listed a few helpful tips below. If your sweating is causing you a lot of difficulty in your everyday life, you should contact your care provider and try to find a way of alleviating the symptoms.

Sweating can be a particularly difficult issue for women who are going through menopause. When a woman’s ovaries stop releasing eggs, her hormones go on a rollercoaster ride and may cause her body to sweat to a greater extent. More information about menopause is available at www.ex-center.org or at www.1177.se. If your sweating becomes so troublesome that it has a negative impact on your everyday life, you should contact your care provider or gynaecologist for advice about what you can do. 

If you are having trouble with sweating, it may be helpful to wear several layers of clothing, with a thin camisole underneath and tops that you can easily put on and take off, depending on how warm you are. Try to wear clothes made from natural fibres, such as cotton, linen, silk or bamboo, and choose loose-fitting garments that allow your body to breathe. Leather footwear is better than tight-fitting, closed footwear such as sneakers or rubber boots. 

The dietary changes you can make to help reduce your sweating could involve reducing your caffeine intake, avoiding extremely spicy food and reducing your alcohol intake. You should also drink a lot of water, as this will also help. However, do not drink ice-cold water. If you do, your body will detect the cold water and will start trying to warm it up, which could have the opposite effect and cause you to sweat even more. It is best to drink liquids at room temperature. 

If you sweat a lot beneath your prosthesis, you may experience a sense that your prosthesis is no longer as good a fit and that you slide around in the sleeve. First and foremost you should make sure that the sleeve is in good condition and fits well onto the stump. Sometimes it may help if you put the prosthesis on several times a day, to get it to sit in place better. Make sure the stump and sleeve are completely dry before putting on the prosthesis again. 

There are also special washcloths designed for regular washing of the stump and sleeve. You can receive or purchase such washcloths from your orthopaedic specialist. 

If you have exerted yourself so much during the day that you have been sweating a great deal, make sure that you remove your prosthesis for a while, wash the stump and sleeve and then let them air for a while before putting on the prosthesis again.