Sweaty feet often come with physical and social ramifications. It can be uncomfortable and even embarrassing.
If your feet are slipping around in your shoes, or your socks are consistently soaked, you’re likely wondering why and what can be done about it.
What causes sweaty feet, and what can you do to make your feet sweat less?
Causes of Sweaty Feet and Related Medical Conditions
The amount of sweat produced by the human body – including the feet – can be affected by a number of factors related to our physical and emotional health and even the environment.
Common causes of sweaty feet:
- Non-Breathable Footwear – Wearing tight-fitting shoes or socks and shoes made from synthetic materials can cause undue sweating, especially in hot and/or humid environments.
- Stress, Anxiety, and Hormones – Our sweat glands often start producing more sweat volume when we are stressed or experiencing high anxiety levels. Changes in hormones or imbalances in our hormones can also cause sweaty feet.
- Hyperhidrosis – “Most people sweat when they exercise or exert themselves, are in a hot environment, or are anxious or under stress. The excessive sweating experienced with hyperhidrosis far exceeds such normal sweating,” explains Mayo Clinic.
Due to constant wetness, sweat on the feet can break down the skin of the foot and lead to infection as well as a foul odor. If you have sweaty feet, it is important to follow a regimen of good foot hygiene, by daily washing with warm water and soap and changing socks at least once a day.
Still, what else can be done to care for and treat sweaty feet?
Treatment Options
There are some things you can do at home to help manage sweaty feet. However, in some cases, it is best to visit a podiatrist, especially if the condition is disrupting your day-to-day life.
What to do about sweaty feet:
- Choose breathable footwear. – Opt for well-fitting, breathable shoes made from natural materials, such as leather. Socks made from fibers with naturally moisture-wicking properties, such as cotton or wool can help pull moisture from the foot and release it back into the air. For some patients, shoe inserts have helped decrease sweat.
- See a professional foot doctor. – “If your feet sweat excessively, see a podiatrist,” recommends the American Podiatric Medical Association.
- Make a treatment plan. – Ask for the help of your podiatrist to recommend treatments that are right for you. For some patients, sprinkling a powder, such as talcum powder, in the shoes may be sufficient to help get sweating under control. In more severe cases, some over-the-counter or even prescription medications can be used.
Fresno Foot Doctor
If you are experiencing any type of foot problem, don’t just live with it. Canyon Oaks Foot & Ankle in the San Joaquin Valley is here to help.
A visit to one of our conveniently located clinics in Fresno, Porterville, or Visalia can help get your feet on the right track and put sweaty feet in the past.
The first step is filling out the new patient form to book an appointment.
