Perspiration is one of those slightly awkward things nobody likes to talk about. Boasts about “sweating it out at the gym” or “getting a sweat on” on the dance floor might be socially acceptable, but everyday sweating is not up for discussion. Even in the Middle East.
“It acts as a natural cooling system, helping to prevent overheating by releasing heat through evaporation,” explains Dr Amira Alsisi, a dermatology and cosmetology specialist at Aster Clinic, Halwan. “It also helps to eliminate small amounts of waste products, contributing to overall skin and body health.”
For most people, sweating is easily managed with antiperspirants. But excessive sweating, known as hyperhidrosis, can make some feel self-conscious. According to the US-based International Hyperhidrosis Society, about 385 million people live with hyperhidrosis and an estimated 27 per cent of those have not received a diagnosis.
Hyperhidrosis: What causes excessive sweating?
Two types of sweat glands – eccrine and apocrine – help to regulate body temperature. Eccrine glands are found all over, particularly on the palms, soles, forehead and armpits. Apocrine glands are found in areas with many hair follicles, such as armpits and groin. They are activated by stress, heightened emotional state and hormones, producing a thicker, stronger smelling sweat.
Genetics, activity levels and stress are some of the factor that determine sweat levels. Conditions such as diabetic hypoglycaemia and hyperthyroidism also play a part, as does hyperhidrosis.
“While hyperhidrosis is not inherently harmful, it can lead to significant physical and psychological challenges,” says Dr Najam Saqib, a dermatologist at RAK Hospital. “Physically, excessive sweating can cause skin maceration, increasing the risk of infections. Psychologically, it can lead to embarrassment social withdrawal and decreased quality of life. The condition can interfere with daily activities, occupational tasks and interpersonal relationships.”
First step: medicated deodorants
GPs can prescribe clinical strength antiperspirants, which temporarily blocking the sweat ducts, for those who sweat excessively.
“They are non-invasive, easily available and suitable for mild to moderate cases,” says Dr Alsisi. “They often contain higher concentrations of aluminium salts, which may cause skin irritation in some individuals and can be less effective for severe hyperhidrosis compared to medical treatments.”
The amount of aluminium chloride hexahydrate varies by antiperspirant brand. Higher concentrations are recommended for hands and feet. Dr Mihaela Svorcina, an aesthetic doctor at Euromed Clinic Dubai, recommends applying antiperspirants “on the affected area before sleep”. She advises washing it off the next morning and then reapplying.
Botox injections to stop sweating
Muscle paralysing protein botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, is used to stop excessive sweating by blocking the nerves responsible for activating sweat, causing them to become temporarily inactive.
“Botox works best for the armpits as only numbing cream is required to alleviate the pain,” says Dr Maurizio Viel, a plastic surgeon at Cornerstone Clinic.
“The product can also be injected in the hands and feet, however, because of the sensitivity of these areas, it is advisable to do this under sedation. It is extremely painful. Before injecting the hands, it is important to consider that this can affect the strength of the grip of the hand, so this is rarely advised.”
Dr Viel says the treatment has proved highly effective in targeted areas and is a relatively quick outpatient procedure.
“It takes three to seven days for the Botox to start working,” Dr Viel adds. “The treatment can last from four to six months but most patients, if injected by a professional, can see results lasting up to nine months. That’s when new nerve endings regenerate to stimulate the sweat glands again and require another round of injections.”
Dr Svorcina adds: “We can also inject into the scalp, where we have seen its effect on better hair growth, sweat reduction and control of oily hair. When it comes to areas like the groin, buttocks, chest and back, this is generally not done as much due to cost, pain and the risk of infection.”
Is blocking sweat glands dangerous?
Sweating is vital to maintaining good health, so questions arise around what happens when sweat glands are deliberately stopped from doing what they are supposed to.
“The body does not sweat extra in other areas because one area sweats less,” says Dr Viel. “The body has a large surface area to cool. Treating a area should not make any difference to the body’s ability to regulate temperature.
“Patients with this condition are typically sweating more than the average person, so cutting down armpit sweat should make little to no difference to the rest of the body’s cooling functions.”
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
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Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
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The nine articles of the 50-Year Charter
1. Dubai silk road
2. A geo-economic map for Dubai
3. First virtual commercial city
4. A central education file for every citizen
5. A doctor to every citizen
6. Free economic and creative zones in universities
7. Self-sufficiency in Dubai homes
8. Co-operative companies in various sectors
9: Annual growth in philanthropy
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Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
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Two products to make at home
Toilet cleaner
1 cup baking soda
1 cup castile soap
10-20 drops of lemon essential oil (or another oil of your choice)
Method:
1. Mix the baking soda and castile soap until you get a nice consistency.
2. Add the essential oil to the mix.
Air Freshener
100ml water
5 drops of the essential oil of your choice (note: lavender is a nice one for this)
Method:
1. Add water and oil to spray bottle to store.
2. Shake well before use.
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Directed by: Jeethu Joseph
Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy
Rating: 4 stars
Brief scores:
Juventus 3
Dybala 6', Bonucci 17', Ronaldo 63'
Frosinone 0
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Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
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Du Plessis plans his retirement
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said on Friday the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia in two years' time will be his last.
Du Plessis, 34, who has led his country in two World T20 campaigns, in 2014 and 2016, is keen to play a third but will then step aside.
"The T20 World Cup in 2020 is something I'm really looking forward to. I think right now that will probably be the last tournament for me," he said in Brisbane ahead of a one-off T20 against Australia on Saturday.
