Do your feet sweat just looking at a pair of shoes? If your feet sweat excessively, for what seems like no good reason, you are likely experiencing hyperhidrosis. According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, 3 percent of the population suffers from this condition.
Living with sweaty feet can be embarrassing, with less than 40 percent of people with excessive sweating seeking medical care, statistics from the US National Library of Medicine show.
Walk with confidence by learning more about this condition, how it's diagnosed and what you can do to manage it.
Causes
According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), a singular cause for excessive sweaty feet is unknown. However, it is believed to be inherited. The site states, "...people sweat when it's hot out, or when they become warm. People with hyperhidrosis sweat excessively almost all the time."
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Symptoms
Feet that are sweaty all the time is the most obvious symptom of hyperhidrosis, but it isn't the only. Feet may be excessively smelly and may also have a whitish, wet appearance. When the feet are constantly wet, this breaks down the skin and creates a prime opportunity for infection to set in.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you've noticed excessively sweaty and smelly feet, you should make an appointment with a podiatrist. A podiatrist can help diagnose the issue and help you manage it. A physical foot exam is typically performed but the APMA explains, "A podiatrist can also do a starch-iodine test to confirm the diagnosis. First, an iodine solution is applied to the bottom of the feet. After the solution has dried, cornstarch is sprinkled over the area. The treated area turns dark blue if excessive sweat is present."
Depending on your symptoms, your podiatrist will tailor a treatment plan to your needs. This could include prescription or over-the-counter antiperspirants applied to the feet, botox injections to control sweating or oral medications like anticholinergics. A sympathectomy, a surgical procedure that blocks the nerve signals that tell the body to sweat excessively, may be performed in severe cases.
Natural Remedies
Exfoliate:
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Fortunately for sufferers, the remedy for smelly feet may be as simple as a good scrub. Experts suggest following these steps:
- Wash your feet.
- Use an exfoliant to scrub the entire surface of your foot with a washcloth – top and bottom.
- Rinse with anti-bacterial soap.
- Pat dry.
Soak:
Believe it or not, sweat isn’t what causes odor, but the bacteria that thrives in moist areas. In fact, when you sweat, proteins and amino acids are released, which feed the bacteria, leading to funky feet. Rid of said bacteria with a variety of soaks like:
Simple Epsom Salt Soak
Ingredients
- ½ cup of Epsom salt
- 8 cups of warm water
- A basin or foot bath
Directions
- Dissolve ½ cup of Epsom salt in 8 cups of warm water.
- Soak your feet for 30 minutes (1-2 times daily).
- Pat dry.
Baking Soda and Citrus Soak
Ingredients
- 8 cups warm water
- ¼ baking soda
- Juice of one lemon
- Foot basin
Directions
- Combine 8 cups warm water and ¼ cup of baking soda in foot basin.
- Squeeze in the juice of one lemon
- Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes
- Dry completely.
Supplements:
Now, if your case is intense and scrubs or soaks haven’t calmed the issue, you may want to experiment with supplements. Per experts, a zinc deficiency can lead to foot odor, in addition to general body odor, even bad breath. In fact, an estimated 5 percent of the world’s population suffer from zinc deficiency.
Meanwhile, the National Institutes of Health, recommended dietary allowance for zinc ranges from 8 mg to 13 mg daily, depending on age and, in women, whether someone is pregnant or lactating.
The trick? Taking zinc supplements or eating zinc-rich foods like oysters, red meat, poultry, crab, lobster and dairy products, can eliminate chronically smelly
Other Sweaty Feet Tips
- Wash your socks often and avoid rocking synthetic materials (on your feet), which make it difficult for feet to breathe.
- Sprinkle your shoes with baking soda. Not only will this help with absorption but it’ll keep your feet dry.
- Wear open toed shoes when possible.
