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Body

Home Body Grooming and hygiene Sweating

Sweating

You might think that you are only supposed to sweat when you are hot, but once you hit puberty, you will also sweat when you are nervous. Your sweat glands (which make sweat) become more active during the teen years, causing both more sweat and also some smell. You actually have two to four million sweat glands all over the body. Most are on the soles of the feet, the palms, forehead, cheeks, and in the armpits. Don’t panic, though. Sweat and smell are normal parts of becoming an adult. Sweating also does an important job – it helps to cool your body down when you are hot.

How to help keep sweat from smelling badly:

• Shower or take a bath every day.
• Use a deodorant (covers smell) or an antiperspirant (decreases sweating), or a product that has both.
• Talk to your doctor if these things do not work or you are worried.

Content last updated June 18, 2008

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