Date: 14/09/2021 Shift: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Q. No: 181

Sweat is produced largely by two types of glands: eccrine and apocrine. The former covers most of the body and acts as a cooling system – during physical exertion, sweat evaporates from the skin and helps maintain healthy body temperature. The apocrine glands, on the other hand, are present where there is a large number of hair follicles, like the genitals and underarms. Unlike eccrine glands, which open directly on the surface of the skin, apocrine glands open into the hair follicle which leads to the surface of the skin. They only start working after the onset of puberty, which is why body odour is first noticed then.
Sweat is odourless until bacteria interact with it and produce foul-smelling chemicals called thioalcohol. The sweat produced by apocrine glands is richer in protein, which can be easily broken down by bacteria. It is also produced in a warm, moist, and dark environment – ideal breeding conditions for bacteria.
While body odour is not usually a cause for concern, it can be a consequence of (A)______ health issues. An overactive thyroid gland can cause excessive sweating, whereas liver disease, kidney disease and diabetes change the composition of sweat and alter the smell. Hyperhidrosis, a condition in which one sweats excessively from the armpits, hands and feet, is also diagnosed by a professional and there are several treatments available to manage it.