‘Swamp crotch' is setting off airport security scanners – GP reveals who's at risk and how to avoid the 'embarrassment'

The Sun

8 hours ago

GOING through airport security is stressful at the best of times.
Now, travellers claim they're being patted down as their "swamp crotch" is setting off security scanners.
A woman flying for the first time in 15 years recently shared that both airports she passed through flagged her groin area during the security scan.
She had no piercings or medical devices on her person and her pockets were empty.
"I don't care about the pat down, they were polite and professional and it doesn't bother me, but I'm wondering what did it," the woman wrote on Reddit.
"I'm a midsized adult woman and was wearing bike shorts and normal underwear," she said.
She wondered her uterine fibroid - a non-cancerous growth in or around the womb - could have set off.
"I read that fibroids could possibly alert [airport security scanners], and it was the exact same spot on my groin both times," the woman wrote.
But according to Redditors responding to her post, a sweaty crotch might actually be to blame.
"Were you sweating?" one person asked.
"Probably a little, I'm terrified of flying so I was nervous," the woman responded.
Another person chimed in with a similar experience: "Last time I flew out of my home airport of Tampa, I got searched too, the guard said something unnerving like 'swamp rot' or 'swamp crotch' or something similarly embarrassing."
The ways your body reacts in hot weather - and when you must dial 999
You may be wondering - what is "swamp crotch"? And why would it be picked up by airport scanners?
Professor Franklin Joseph, consultant physician and head of Dr Frank's clinic, told Sun Health it's "a slang term for excessive sweating in the groin area".
"Something that's really common in hot, humid weather or when wearing tight, non-breathable clothes.
"The groin has a lot of sweat glands, so it's one of the first places to get sweaty in the heat."
Combine that with legging it through an airport, and it's not surprising that you'd be a bit sweaty when you reach the scanners.
Prof Joseph went on: 'Some people are more prone to it - especially if they're overweight, have a hormone imbalance, or suffer from hyperhidrosis, which is a condition that causes excessive sweating.
'While it's usually harmless, all that moisture can lead to skin irritation, chafing and even fungal or bacterial infections if it's not dealt with properly.
"Wearing loose, breathable clothing and changing out of damp underwear quickly can help prevent problems."
10 easy ways to stop sweating
These expert-approved tips should see you through summer, no sweat!
1 Drink up
It might seem counterintuitive to drink more to avoid sweating, but fluids help keep your body cool, so it doesn't have to sweat as much to release extra heat.
'Dehydration can also lead to more sweating, as your body is working harder to stay functioning properly,' says personal trainer Tom Penn of F45 Training.
2 Cut The Fat
'Foods high in fat can cause your insides to warm up as your body processes it, resulting in increased sweat,' says Abbas Kanani, a pharmacist from Chemistclick.co.uk.
This includes chips, crisps, cakes and processed meats. Prioritise 'good fat' olive oil, which is rich in antioxidants, easy to digest, boosts metabolism and helps regulate sweat levels.
3 Swerve spice
As you'd imagine, hot, spicy dishes can make you perspire more. Cool down with yoghurt, and go big on fruits and vegetables with a high water content instead.
Try watermelon, grapes and broccoli to boost hydration. Caffeine can also increase sweat, so give decaf a go.
4 Wear deo at night
'Antiperspirants work by blocking the sweat ducts so sweat can't reach the surface of our skin,' explains Tom.
'For best results, apply this to clean, dry underarms before bed. The ingredients need time to create the block over the sweat duct and most people sweat less when in bed.
Be patient with this method – it may not work immediately, but after a few nights you should start to see results the next day.'
You could also speak to a pharmacist about trying stronger deodorants, such as Driclor and Perspirex.
5 Get a good kip
Some studies have found links between sleep deprivation and heat regulation in the body being disrupted.
'If poor sleep is affecting hormone levels, and vice versa, it may trigger symptoms such as hot flushes, sweating and night sweats,' says Abbas. Aim to get seven to nine hours of kip a night by implementing a calming bedtime routine.
Have a bath, dim the lights, avoid screens and write down anything
that may be troubling you, so it's out of your mind. Hazim
Sadideen, consultant plastic surgeon at Cadogan Clinic, says night sweats could be serious if they are related to certain medical conditions (such as tuberculosis, some cancers or bone infections), so if you suddenly experience new night sweats, speak to your GP.
6 Check stress levels
Stress can cause your body temperature to rise, triggering sweat glands to kick in – hence why you might get sweaty palms and feet when scared or overexcited.
'Taking slow, deep breaths, holding the breath in for a few seconds and then releasing it, can help slow your heart rate and calm you down,' says Abbas.
Download brain-training app Personal Zen, designed to reduce stress and build resilience (Personalzen.com).
7 Opt for cotton
Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothes and avoid synthetic fabrics, which can make sweating worse.
'Nylon isn't breathable and will trap moisture and heat, making you more likely to sweat.
Polyester-based clothing has water-resistant properties, meaning it does not absorb moisture – therefore sweat may remain trapped on your body and clothes,' says Hazim.
Tom adds that lighter colours help to reflect the sun rather than absorb it, so wearing white and cream can also keep you cool and dry.
8 Quit smoking
If you needed another reason to quit the cigarettes or vapes, here it is. 'Nicotine tells your body to release the chemical acetylcholine, which turns on the sweat glands.
It also raises your body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure,' says Abbas.
9 Try vinegar
Often, there's some truth behind old wives' tales. 'There are home remedies you could try, such as soaking a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and applying it to your problem areas at night,' says Tom.
10 Block with Botox
'Botox can be used to prevent the hyperstimulation of sweat glands, when there is no medical reason behind the sweating,' says Hazim.
He says that by blocking or interrupting this chemical pathway, Botox minimises or even stops any sweating where it has been injected.
'This is not a cure, but it does help control excessive sweating and is effective for six to 12 months. Some patients with milder symptoms also like this treatment to help them enjoy the summer more.
"Common areas people choose to have treated are the armpits, groin and face.'
The health expert also discussed why dampness in that area may get flagged at the airport.
'In terms of airport scanners, sweat itself won't trigger an alarm," he said.
"But it could cause dark patches or areas of moisture on clothing that look unusual on a scanner and prompt a manual search.
"It's more about what the operator sees on the screen than the sweat itself setting anything off.'
Airport security scanners use millimetre wave technology that doesn't just detect metal.
According to Transport Security Administration (TSA) expert Shawna Malvini Redden, it responds to anything that disrupts the signal, including moisture.
She told Reader's Digest that sweat is the "weirdest thing" that can trigger an alert because of how the waves bounce off water.
Sweat isn't the only thing that might get you stopped at security, Shawna added.
Feminine hygiene products, snug clothing, or even your body shape can trip the scanner.
Want to avoid crotch sweat, not just in the vicinity of security scanners?
Dr Claire Merrifield, GP and medical director at Selph told Metro: "Some things you can do to prevent it include wearing breathable natural fabrics like cotton or silk as undergarments."
Specialised sports wear with moisture-wicking properties and vents or mesh can also help keep you cool.
Additionally, you can use anti-chafing powders or sprays, which will help to reduce skin friction and moisture buildup.
Finally, Dr Merrifield said that if you are prone to sweating in these areas a lot, try washing the armpit and groin area at least twice a day with a fragrance-free moisturiser or just water and dry thoroughly.
"Change and wash your clothes regularly, and use antiperspirants containing aluminium to reduce excessive sweating," she advised.