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Sweaty feet are caused by foods, lifestyle and even underlying problems. Find out cures that work, how to stop and prevent using best socks and shoes, natural cures and remedies and other methods. With the tips here, you will be able to treat cold smelly feet easily and increase comfort.
Doctors say that lifestyle may trigger too much sweat production on the feet and other parts of the body too. To prevent and stop the problem, they recommend quality measures such as use of SweatBlock Antiperspirant as a remedy. With proper use, it is easy to prevent and stop the problem of cold but profusely sweating legs easily. Below, we will discuss further the options you can use.
What are Sweaty Feet and Odor?
Sweaty feet and bad odor are two foot problems that are entwined. In most people with the problem you will also find bad foot odor and cold feet. Cold wet feet are just one part of the various problems called hyperhidrosis, also called excessive sweating. Sweaty and wet feet are a condition where feet sweat excessively and profusely compared to other parts of the body. The condition is part of what is generally termed focal hyperhidrosis. It means that excessive sweating is localized at a certain point of the body. We have discussed the three types of hyperhidrosis here.
Symptoms of Sweaty Feet
It is common to find the following symptoms in people who suffer the problem.
- An increase in skin problems especially on the feet
- Toenail fungus
- Clamminess
- Clothes especially socks are frequently soaked with sweat
- Itchy feet
- Smelly feet or foot odor
Although it is normal for feet to swat because the body keeps regulating its temperature that way, but excess moisture that comes from the toes can make your shoes slippery. In addition, the heat inside the shoes and the moisture provide the perfect environment for fungi and bacteria to thrive. That is why foot odor, rashes, athlete’s foot and other complications occur.
Sweaty Feet and Foot Odor in Children
This is a common question asked by people who are keen on the difference in occurrence of sweaty feet in children and adults. They do not occur in a unique way in children and adults. Anyone with any one of the underlying causes may suffer from the problem. However, children may experience more of the foot odor problem than in adults because as we grow, the sweat glands in feet decrease in number. So, children experience more sweat in their feet than adults do. However, it could be as a result of a hyperhidrosis condition and not just a developmental stage.
What Causes of Sweaty Feet?
The causes vary depending on the exact type of hyperhidrosis a person suffers from. In most cases, primary focal hyperhidrosis will not have a known cause even with examination but in secondary hyperhidrosis, the causes are known or can be determined through diagnosis. The procedure of diagnosing the causes of sweaty feet are not any different from those used to determine the causes of sweaty palms or palmar hyperhidrosis. They include:
- X-rays and MRI scans
- Thermoregulatory sweat tests
- Monitoring electrical conductivity
- Hematological tests
These methods of diagnosing are used to determine the underlying cause before any cure for sweaty feet is given. Other factors that may be looked at in determining the underlying cause include the age of its onset, cessation of excessive sweating on feet at night, bilateral and symmetrical sweating of feet, frequency and family history. So, what are the causes of sweaty and stinky feet?
- Heredity is a common culprit of stinky feet. Primary focal hyperhidrosis is may be shared among members of a family.
- Emotional causes may trigger the sympathetic nervous system to activate sweat glands on the body and cause too much perspiration. The emotional factors that make the list of causes include anxiety, anger, fear, depression and nervousness.
- Neurological disorders are also part of the secondary focal hyperhidrosis, where legs are categorized. The disorders may include acrodynia, frostbite, complex regional pain syndromes, acromelagy and many more.
- Hormonal changes, diabetes, side effects of certain medications, hyperthyroidism, metabolic problems, autoimmune disorders, malignant disease and other health problems may contribute. See a complete list of causes of excessive sweat.
- Other causes include narcotics, excessive alcohol, types of shoes and spicy foods.
How to Stop Sweaty Feet – Prevent, Cure Sweaty Feet
Ionophoresis
Ionophoresis is a cure for sweaty feet, palms and even armpits. The method has been found to be a more effective for legs and palms than it is for axillary hyperhidrosis. In Ionophoresis, electric current treatments are applied to the feet to block sweat glands and reduce excessive sweating over time. Several therapies are applied in order to cure sweaty feet using Ionophoreis. In the link, you will find information on the procedure, costs and its success rate discussed in that article.
Surgical Cure for Sweaty Feet
Surgical cures are applied when there is need to disconnect the sweat glands around feet from the sympathetic chain of nerves that control sweating. A certain nerve may be disconnected to stop excessive sweating in the feet, a procedure that is done surgically. Nerve surgery as a cure for profuse feet may be resorted to only if other cures have failed to produce positive results in stopping excessive perspiration on feet.
Botulinum Toxin to Cure Sweaty Feet
About 20 injections or less of Botox are known to cure the problem. The procedure takes about 45 minutes and the toxin works by blocking chemicals that enable some glands in the brain that activate sweat glands. This then helps to stop excessive sweating on feet. The method is approved by the FDA to cure axillary hyperhidrosis but it is unclear whether it is approved as a treatment for sweaty legs and palmar hyperhidrosis.
Anticholinergic Drugs
Your doctor may recommend prescription drugs to cure too. These drugs are orally ingested and may only be used when other methods have failed to prevent profuse sweating of feet. Botox injections and surgery to eliminate the problem come first and if they fail, doctors are likely to recommend anticholinergic pills. These work to stop the activation of sweat glands. Side effects of anticholinergic drugs include urinary problems, heart palpitations and blurry vision.
Prescription Antiperspirants
These are not a permanent option. Instead, they are used as ways to reduce or prevent excessive sweating of the feet. Some of them will come with deodorants, but the most important thing to look for when choosing the best antiperspirants for sweaty feet is aluminum chloride. Ensure that you read reviews of over-the-counter antiperspirants in order to choose the best to prevent foot odor.
Home Remedies for Sweaty Feet
In order to get rid of sweaty feet, you can try simple home remedies also that do not need you to spend a lot of money. Here are some of the home remedies for sweaty legs worth trying.
Soak in Epsom Salt Water: Some people recommend trying Epsom salt. The salty soak will dry up your feet and leave them dry and soft. This cure should be coupled with exfoliation of feet using loofah.
Exfoliation will make the results in stopping excessive sweating on feet faster and longer lasting. Use warm water to make a solution of Epsom water to enhance the opening up of the skin pores for the Epsom salt cure to work effectively. Do not use this method if you have burns, cuts and open sores on your feet.
Soak in Sage Tea: Dr. Oz recommends soaking your feet in tea. You will be pleased to learn that sage tea is not only a cure but also a cure for stinky feet as well. Tea contains tannins, which have astringent characteristics. When you soak your feet in tea, they will dry up and get rid of foot odor quickly. Tannic acid will neutralize the odor causing bacteria on perspiring feet. To make this, simply add some tea bags into a hot water basin and leave to steep.
Soak your legs for about 25 minutes everyday.
Vinegar Foot Bath: Another renowned cure is mixing vinegar and water in a basin and soaking feet in the mixture for about 25 minutes. To make this, take a half a cup of vinegar and a quart of warm water. Mix them in a basin then use for soaking feet. Other important tips on how to stop sweaty feet include the following:
- Wearing cotton socks and avoiding synthetic materials such as lycra, rayon and nylon. There are some socks that are made just for this need. You can look for these in local clothing and drug stores in order to be able to control the problem of excessive sweating on feet. Some reviews of the best socks will help you in making a good choice.
- Wash your feet with mild soap at least once a day to prevent foot odor.
- Wear socks. Yes, wear them every time you wear shoes. Wearing shoes without socks will aggravate the problem.
- Avoid those plastic shoes if you want to prevent it. Plastic flip-flops are just disgusting because they will exacerbate the problem. Always go for leather shoes. Also, try breathable shoes.
- Alternate your shoes to prevent fungus from growing. Do not use the same shoes for different purposes on the same day.
- Change your socks at least once every day.
- Try anti-fungal foot spray and foot powders to treat foot odor.
- Always dry your feet thoroughly after bathing. Apply antiperspirant at the bottom of the feet to prevent excessive sweating.
If you are suffering from this problem, ensure that you talk to your podiatrist about the problem. He or she may be able to recommend the best sweaty feet cure and tips for controlling the problem. Remember feet that sweat excessively may cause other problems such as redness, bad foot odor, burning sensations and itchiness if not treated properly. Seeing a doctor to discuss will help you avert such problems.
More on Excessive Sweating – Hyperhidrosis
- Sweaty Armpits – Causes, Prevention and Cures for Axillary Hyperhidrosis
- Cure for Excessive Sweating – Treatment Options to Stop Excessive Sweating
- Excessive Sweating – Causes and Treatment to Stop Hyperhidrosis
- Sweaty Palms – Causes, Prevention and Cure for Sweaty Hands
Hm, I think natural shoe and sock materials are very important. Today the most shoes and socks consist of synthetics.
As far as I’m concerned, I’ve made best experiences in wearing natural, antibacterial cedarsoles inside my shoes. THey are made from antifungal, fresh-smelling cedar wood. It’s probably the easiest and most effective way to get rid of smelly feet.