Ask Dr. Sue

EXCESS SWEATING


Dear Dr. Sue,

My fourteen year old daughter is complaining about her hands and feet and underarms being wet all the time.  I haven't been letting her use an antiperspirant because I had heard that there was a possibility that these could contribute to breast cancer.  Is this true?

Concerned Mom of Desperate Teen

 

Dear Concerned Mom,

The medical term for your daughter's problem is hyperhydrosis, a condition that affects about 1 percent of people.  There are about five million sweat glands in the body, two thirds of which are in the hands.  Sweat glands are present in the body for an important reason: to help regulate the body's temperature.  There may be another intriguing benefit of sweat, as well.  Some research has suggested that our own specific armpit odors help people who have a different tissue type choose us as mates.  This gives our children some important genetic advantages, maximizing disease protection and minimizing inherited diseases that have to be carried by both parents to turn up in their offspring.

I suspect that your daughter is not impressed by the wonderful role that sweat plays, however. People who have hyperhydrosis can suffer from social isolation and embarrassment.  Some even experience discrimination in the work force.  Most often hyperhydrosis starts in adolescence and then persists throughout life. The good news, though, is that help is available.

The first line of defense involves over-the-counter antiperspirants (stay tuned for a discussion about breast cancer and antiperspirants.)  Buy one that contains aluminum chloride, and let her try it on her hands, feet and armpits.  If that fails, see your pediatrician to talk about the stronger prescription antiperspirant, Drysol.  Adult sufferers who have failed both of these treatments and have a serious problem should look into a respected hyperhydrosis center, where more invasive treatments are available.

Feet that are constantly wet can develop secondary skin damage and eczema, as well as bacterial and fungal infections.  In addition to antiperspirant use, there are some things your daughter can do to prevent such complications.  Have her alternate pairs of shoes, so each pair has at least 24 hours to dry out before being worn again.  She should wear leather sandals as much as possible during warm weather.  She should take off wet socks as soon as she gets home; putting on another pair of dry socks or dry slippers or sandals if she doesn't want to be barefoot.  A little baby powder in her socks and shoes each day will absorb some of the moisture, also.

Now on to your question about whether antiperspirants contribute to breast cancer.  This is a rumor that was making the internet rounds a few years ago.  The rumor suggested that the chemicals in antiperspirants entered the body and progressed to the lymph nodes and breast tissue where they stimulated abnormal cell growth.  They were supposed to be able to enter the body even more readily if there was minor injury to the skin like that which can occur with shaving, especially if a blade is used.

One study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in October of 2002 looked at this issue and concluded that there was no increased risk of breast cancer in women who used antiperspirants (whether they shaved under their arms with a blade or not).  Dr. Ed Friedlander, M.D., pathologist at the University of Health Sciences in Kansas City, wrote an excellent response to your question which can be found at http://www.pathguy.com/antipers.htm  He pointed out, among other things:

1. There has actually been no clear increase in breast cancer rates in the last hundred years, if you take into account how much longer people are living and the fact that women are having fewer children (which raises the risk).

2. Animals get breast cancer at a relatively high rate (do you know any who use antiperspirants?)

3. There is no higher rate in the United States compared to Europe, where both antiperspirant use and shaving are less common.

Finally, neither the National Cancer Institute nor the Food and Drug Administration is aware of any research that supports a connection between antiperspirant use and breast cancer.

I feel very comfortable advising your daughter to try antiperspirants to help control her excessive sweating!

 

This site best viewed in 1024 x 768 or above with Active Content enabled.

Copyright 2006 Child & Adolescent Clinic, PC.  All Rights Reserved.

Questions, comments, suggestions?  Contact "webcreator at pacifier dot com"