How to Treat Sweaty Feet

Treatments and cures for sweaty feet.

By Dr. Steven Lemberger, Podiatrist.

What is Hyperhidrosis of the Feet(Sweating)

Sweating is embarrassing, it stains clothes,and it complicates business and social interactions.

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating is a common disorder which produces a lot of unhappiness. An estimated 3% of Americans suffer from excessive sweating of the feet.  The soles of the feet are susceptible to sweatiness, because our feet contain over 3,000 sweat glands per square inch and we enclose our feet in shoes and socks most of the time. Excessive moisture allows odor causing bacteria to thrive, so the first step in reducing foot odor is sweat reduction.

What is the cause of Hyperhidrosis(Sweating)?

Although neurologic, metabolic, and other systemic diseases can sometimes cause excessive sweating, most cases occur inpeople who are otherwise healthy. Heat and emotions may trigger hyperhidrosis in some, but many who suffer from hyperhidrosis sweat nearly all the time, regardless of their mood or the weather.

Ask your podiatrist what treatment options?

There are many simple treatment options for this condition.  It is most common to start simple and move to more complex treatments if it becomes necessary.

Topical Agents:

Most podiatrists will often recommend a roll on product such as Ostiderm made by Pedinol Inc. This like similar products uses the active ingredient aluminum chlorohydrate, which is a drying and deodorizing agent.

Soaks with tannic acid found in black tea kill odor causing bacteria and shrink the pores in the feet.  Black tea or a new product by Blaine Labs called Sweat Stop. Sweat Stop has a major advantage that it does not stain the feet like black tea, and is available at many podiatrist’s office.

Invasive treatments:

More complicated cases sometimes require the help of a Neurosurgeon or Neurologist who often treat with either Botox or Surgical intervention. 
These treatments or generally reserved for those who fail the common
conservative therapies.

If you suffer from severe sweating don’t continue to suffer ask your podiatrist what  treatment is will benefit you.

Dr. Lemberger is a Board Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, Vice Chairmen Department of Podiatry Centrastate Medical Center, and Director of Medical Education at Centrastate Medical Center and maintains a private practice at 505 Stillwells Corner Road Freehold, NJ. He can be reached at footcaredoc@yahoo.com or at his office 732-863-7010.