Sweating on your feet is normal. After all, the feet have approximately a quarter of a million sweat glands to make this process easy to happen.  Unfortunately some people have extreme excesses of sweat.  This can be due to genetically inherited issues or in some cases systemic health problems like diabetes and thyroid conditions.  Excesses in sweating is more common in men than in woman and is much more common in teens than in adults. The normal process of perspiration can be brought on by emotional events, exercise or heat.  In the person with hyperhidrosis, sweating will occur with no provocation and in much larger amounts than normal. Excesses of sweat , (hyperhidrosis) can be very debilitating.  The prolonged exposure to moisture will make your skin turn white and literaly cause breakdown of the skin, which is your body’s first line of defense against attack from organisms.  The excess in moisture can lead to bacterial and or fungal growth on your feet. Fungus loves to grow in moist and warm environments.  What better place than on a sweaty, wet and warm foot?  Bacterial infections can cause cellulitis, (a spreading infection of the skin and soft tissue) which can be life threatening in some cases. Treatment at home can include over the counter creams, lotions and liquids that are rubbed on the feet.  Shoes that provide for some form of ventilation can be helpful. Cotton socks should be avoided since they hold the moisture against the skin.  Instead synthetic wicking socks can be purchased which transport the moisture away from the skin and allow it to evaporate naturally. Medical treatment can include;

  • Topical medications
  • Iontophoreses, (a treatment that combines water and a mild electric current)
  • Botox injections which can last 3-4 months

Sweaty feet don’t have to be a problem with proper care and treatment.  At Quality Foot Care, Dr. Lefkowitz treats “sweaty feet”