SKIN: SWEAT GLANDS
All over the body the skin is covered with sweat glands, with the exception of the lips. There are about three million sweat glands, mostly on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, and also the armpits. These allow perspiration to maintain the body temperature although, especially under the armpits, perspiration can often result in an unpleasant odour, and is also a common cause of many skin conditions. There are many deodorants availably, although unfortunately a lot of them are of an inferior quality. Deodorants are available not only for use on the armpits, but also for other parts of the body. The deodorant should be chosen with great care. Those with an aluminium content are not very beneficial and nowadays special natural deodorants are available in health food shops.
Anti-perspirants are not such a good idea, as these block the sweat glands and prevent them from working normally. We can create a number of problems for ourselves by using the wrong products, and I have seen quite a few Unidentified skin problems under the arms which have been self-inflicted. Care must be taken to select a good deodorant which has no side-effects. The same applies to deodorants for the feet. There are a lot of products which could aggravate or even cause a fungal skin condition and I have come across this on many occasions. In the case of sweaty feet it is much more sensible to sprinkle a little Borax powder into the shoes. This works extremely well and although it does not stop the feet perspiring, it will take away the odour.
It is worth remembering that blood circulation in the skin is very important. The circulation of the blood is controlled by the hypothalamus, situated in the brain. This gland works like a thermostat in controlling the body temperature.
The outer horn layer of the skin contains the blood supply and different pigments, for example melanin, which determines skin colour, and sensory nerves. The sensory nerves in the skin are vital for our pleasure and protection. It is because of these nerve endings that we experience pain when we cut or burn ourselves, or pleasure when we are touched or stroked. It is also because of these receptors that we experience taste, itchiness or tickling. A healthy skin is of vital importance if we are to enjoy life to the full, and provided we take care of our skin it will look good all our lives. My mother, who was almost ninety when she died recently, still had a perfect skin. She always looked after it, and although she had a lot of tension, worry and emotional upset during her life, she maintained bodily cleanliness and a healthy spirit. A healthy skin was the visible evidence that her diet consisted of the right food.
It is said that, apart from the stomach, the skin is misused more than any other part of the body. Too often we are inclined to ignore the warning signs. Frequently we are careless when handling chemicals and often heedless of the contents of skin creams and cosmetics. Even so, the skin sends us all kinds of messages and warnings, sometimes in the form of an itch, while at other times warning signs are perceived in the form of a blister or rash.
Small itchy areas or skin rashes can be the start of major problems such as dermatitis or eczema. These problems can be caused, especially in young people, by incorrect eating habits. In a later chapter I will write in detail about such instances. However, it is broadly true to say that infantile eczema can be caused by an allergic reaction to various specific foods, and if this is not resolved, severe problems can result in later life. It is also essential to protect the skin when handling any sort of chemicals. Gloves must be worn, and care should be taken not to inhale any fumes. If a substance causes a reaction externally, it is easy to imagine what that substance might do to the lungs if it is inhaled.
Another source of skin irritation can be synthetic fabrics such as nylon and dralon. I have had to treat patients with some very nasty conditions because of allergies to these synthetic fabrics. Recently a charming young girl came into my surgery in the Netherlands with an extremely unpleasant, weeping, reddish skin condition. She was very upset and told me that she had been to doctors, specialists and faith healers, and every time the diagnosis was simply an 'unidentified skin disease'. I could see that she was desperate and her nervous system was stretched to its limits. She also told me that she had not been able to work for some time, and gradually her problems seemed to be getting worse. I talked for quite a while with her and it took some detective work to get to the root of the trouble: when I did some tests I found that hairspray, and the material used in some of her clothes, had triggered off this most unpleasant condition. She now has beautiful skin and is a much happier person. Too often people who suffer from skin conditions are told that they have to live with them, or that they are just unfortunate in having a poor skin.
I believe that every skin condition can be improved if it is treated correctly. A skin problem can be triggered off by something as insignificant as a hairnet, earrings or a small metal clip. Even the material used in the manufacture of our clothes can lead to skin problems. I need only look at my wife who, as a teacher, had the greatest difficulty in using chalk for writing on the blackboard, because, in her, it caused a skin reaction. Even a leather strap on her wrist-watch could trigger off an itchy condition. Very often minor details, seemingly insignificant, can be decisive in skin conditions. Skin problems may be so severe that people are unable to work, and yet the problem can often be cleared when the patient is desensitised. There are many methods in complementary or naturopathic medicine for dealing with such problems.
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