Foot sweating – how to deal with it?

Excessive foot sweating is more common in men than in women and more common in younger than in older people.

People whose feet sweat excessively (there are as many as 250,000 sweat glands in the feet!) often also have problems with excessive sweating of the hands. According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, 3 percent of the population is affected.

What causes sweaty feet?

Excessive foot sweating appears to be a hereditary problem. If it is caused by an illness, it should be cured, lose weight, reduce stress. You should also be wary of eating spicy foods, dairy products (probably the cause of night sweats), drinking strong coffee and tea.

How does excessive foot sweating manifest itself?

The most obvious symptom of excessive sweating is feet that sweat excessively. Some people sweat so much that their feet can slip in their shoes.

Feet may have a whitish, wet appearance and are prone to fungal infections.

People suffering from excessive sweating may also experience emotional stress and worry about unpleasant foot odor. Anxiety and isolation associated with sweating can be particularly acute in teenagers.

So where to start?

Good foot hygiene is essential.

• Wash your feet daily with antibacterial soap; be sure to wash thoroughly between the toes. Dry your feet thoroughly.
• Apply corn flour, foot powder or anti-fungal powder to your feet. Wear socks made of natural fibers that wick moisture away from the feet instead of retaining it. It’s also a good idea to change socks throughout the day. Keep an extra pair of socks at school or work and change socks mid-day.
• Wear shoes made of breathable materials.
• If possible, walk barefoot and ground yourself!

When to visit a podiatrist?

If your feet sweat excessively, contact a podiatrist who can help control this embarrassing condition. Patients who are affected often also report concerns about excessive sweating in other areas – for example, under the arms, on the hands or on the face or scalp.

Diagnosis and treatment

Most often, excessive foot sweating is diagnosed on the basis of a report of symptoms and a special examination of the feet. In the offices, treatments are performed, i.e.,,:

• Iontophoresis – this reduces the activity of sweat glands using direct current. The treatments are painless. The feet are immersed in water, through which a current is passed. One treatment takes approx. 20 min, is performed periodically over 4 or 6 weeks. Initially from 2-3 times a week, then up to once a week. A series of treatments effectively reduces the problem.
• Botulinum toxin – involves paralyzing the nerve endings that deactivate the sweat glands. The effect lasts for about 6-9 months.

Treatment options are tailored to your symptoms. Over-the-counter or prescription antiperspirants in a ball can be applied directly to the feet. Botox injections can temporarily control excessive foot sweating (the effect generally lasts for about six to nine months). Oral prescription drugs, often anticholinergic, can be used. Severe cases of foot sweating can be treated with a surgical procedure called a sympathectomy, which interrupts the nerve signals that tell the body to sweat excessively.

However, it is important to remember that every “ailment” or disease is caused by a body imbalance. Blocking receptors, applying antiperspirants are just masking treatments that do not solve the cause. If you want to solve the problem, you should definitely look at your lifestyle, diet and emotions…. There is a lot of information on the Internet on how to naturally rebalance the body. Good luck!

And if you’re already on the natural path to recovery, I recommend my natural deodorant, which doesn’t block glands, and naturally helps absorb moisture, fight odor as well as assist you with foot fungus treatment!