Sweaty feet – causes, treatment and prevention

Sweaty feet

Stubborn sweaty feet , referred to as plantar hyperhidrosis in medical jargon , are extremely uncomfortable for those affected because they lead to an odor nuisance and uncertainty and are not always easy to treat.

What are sweaty feet?

More people suffer from sweaty feet than is often assumed. Both women, men and children can be affected by sweaty feet. This health impairment is hardly talked about in society because the patients are usually subject to a great deal of shame.

Excessively sweaty feet is a condition that is also known in medical jargon as hyperhidrosis pedis or hyperhidrosis plantaris. In this context, the prefix hyper- means more or excessive. Pedis is the foot. Sweaty feet are therefore about an increased release of sweat .

causes

The causes of sweaty feet can lie in the disposition of those affected themselves or be caused by external influences. One of the internal factors responsible for sweaty feet is primarily overactive sweat glands, which are located in different areas of the feet. This in turn is based on a malfunction of the pituitary gland.In addition, a sweaty foot can also be triggered by a fungal disease that has manifested itself on the skin of the feet.

During puberty, the feet also sweat more due to hormonal changes, which can lead to sweaty feet. Emotional stress and individual previous illnesses are internal factors that also trigger sweaty feet. An external criterion for sweaty feet is an unhealthy microclimate to which the feet are exposed. This is triggered by the wrong, mostly closed shoes, which leads to insufficient ventilation of the feet.

When to the doctor?

Sweaty feet do not represent a health restriction and therefore do not necessarily have to be treated or examined by a doctor. However, it can happen that sweaty feet reduce the patient’s well-being and lead to depression . In this case, a doctor or a beautician should be consulted to treat the sweaty feet and minimize the smell of sweat.

Sweaty feet are often related to poor and insufficient personal hygiene. The sweaty feet occur especially at high temperatures and can bother other people and have a repulsive effect on them. In the worst case, the person concerned is socially excluded. There are some anti-sweaty feet remedies available at pharmacies and drugstores. These remedies work very differently for different people and do not necessarily have to lead to success. Most remedies do not address the problem directly, but only alleviate the symptoms.

If the feet are very sweaty, the sweat glands can also be shut down . This narrows the problem down a lot. However, this procedure should only be carried out if the sweaty feet put a lot of strain on the patient. It is not uncommon for fungal infections to develop on the feet due to sweaty feet, which necessitate a visit to the doctor.

diagnosis and course

Identifying sweaty feet is not too difficult and is usually based on the unpleasant pungent odor emanating from the feet and footwear. A medical diagnosis of sweaty feet is possible by applying an iodine solution to the sweat glands of the feet. If this has dried up, the achievement of a blue coloration by starch indicates an overactive sweat gland.

The strength of the blue color is an indication of the presence of increased sweat production. Another diagnostic variant is a so-called skin status. As sweaty feet develop, it may be possible for more than 60 mg of sweat to be released in one minute.

complications

As a rule, sweaty feet do not represent a dangerous or unhealthy condition from a medical point of view and can occur in many people permanently or in certain situations. Sweaty feet are a common symptom for many people, especially during physical activities, sports or on hot days. Complications can primarily be of a social and psychological nature. The unpleasant smells can cause problems with friends or colleagues, leading to social exclusion. Those affected also suffer psychologically from [depression or inferiority complexes .

Sweaty feet can also lead to inflammation and infections in the feet. This leads to the formation of fungal diseases, which can be associated with severe pain. It is often no longer possible for the patient to walk normally. The treatment itself can be done either by self-help means or by a doctor. There are no further complications. The doctor can remove the sweat glands so that the symptom of sweaty feet is prevented.

treatment and therapy

The treatment options for sweaty feet are quite varied and include methods of naturopathy and homeopathy as well as conventional medicine and various home remedies. In addition, it is important to equip yourself with breathable shoes that absorb the odor of sweat in order to put a stop to the odor of sweat. This not only applies to fashionable shoes in everyday life, but especially to work and safety shoes.

In addition to regular footbaths in salt water or tannic acid, pH-neutral skin creams, washing with cold water and walking without shoes, as well as frequently changing shoes, are helpful treatments against sweaty feet. Socks and insoles with a certain concentration of silver ions act against sweaty feet as odor inhibitors and are antibacterial. Foot powder and professional foot care can also relieve sweaty feet.

Various medically supported procedures against sweaty feet are based on therapy with aluminum, so-called tap water iontophoresis and injections of the botulinum toxin known from beauty medicine. The Botox is injected into the skin of the sole of the foot every six months. Power water iontophoresis uses a combination of water and electric current at very low current levels. This results in a reduction in perspiration in the majority of people treated for foot perspiration. The current is usually between 15 mA and 25 mA – depending on the sensitivity to pain. The voltage does not reach more than 40 volts.

Possible further medical therapies against sweaty feet are an operational interruption of the sympathetic nervous system, a special nerve, and the introduction of phenol into a functional part of the sympathetic system. With the surgical method against sweaty feet, only part of the sympathetic nervous system is severed, which only involves individual ganglia. This treatment is the highest possible measure so far and is carried out under general anesthesia .

prevention

By following specific advice to prevent sweaty feet, it is possible to avoid the stubborn odor and the appearance of athlete’s foot .

Sweaty feet can be counteracted to a certain extent most easily if healthy footwear is selected and the feet are allowed to move outdoors in all suitable weather conditions.

A prophylaxis against sweaty feet is not actually possible. It is mainly about reducing the side effects in order to feel comfortable and safe despite sweaty feet.

It is good to pay attention to foot-friendly shoes as a child to prevent sweaty feet and to let the little ones go barefoot once more if the climate allows it.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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