What are sweaty feet?
Sweating is a vital function because the evaporation of sweat removes heat from the skin and thus allows it to cool down. At Sweaty feet however, as the name suggests, it is an excessive secretion of sweat in the area of the feet. In everyday language, the term "sweaty foot" refers more to the unpleasant smell than to the amount of sweat that is secreted.
If the person concerned no longer dares to take off their shoes due to the unpleasant smell, sweaty feet are a serious problem. Almost a third of people complain of sweaty feet, with men being affected much more often than women. Due to the constant sweat, the cornea is always moist. As a result, it can swell whitish over time.
causes
Sweaty feet are usually caused by vegetative dystonia (regulation disorder of the autonomic nervous system) in connection with oversized sweat glands. Actually, the perspiration does not serve to regulate the body temperature, but to give the foot adhesion. The sweating of the feet is controlled in the central nervous system. The signals are passed on via the sympathetic nervous system.
If the sweat center reacts disproportionately to external stimuli, the person concerned begins to sweat more. People who are generally prone to it are more likely to suffer from sweaty feet. The secretion of sweat increases considerably on the feet in stockings and shoes made of air-impermeable materials. Therefore, synthetic fibers are by no means recommended for this group of people. The increased perspiration is also attributed to detoxification processes.
Because of this, various things like nicotine and medication are considered risk factors for sweaty feet. The trigger for a sweaty foot odor can furthermore be poor hygiene of the feet. The same applies if the socks or shoes are washed too seldom or cannot ventilate sufficiently. This applies to all people and not only to patients who, from a medical point of view, suffer from sweaty feet.
Stress and tension also play a role in excessive sweating. In most cases, sweating cannot be stopped with psychotherapy or an anti-stress program alone. Relaxation methods such as yoga or autogenic training are often recommended and helpful in addition to psychological help.
Diseases with this symptom
- Hyperhidrosis
- Vegetative dystonia
Diagnosis & course
Whether the sweat glands are overactive in the area of the soles of the feet can be checked by measuring the sweat secretion. An iodine starch test, for example, is used for diagnosis. The tincture is applied to the feet for this. After drying, they are dusted with a potato starch powder. If it turns blue or black, sweat can be seen.
The degree of discoloration shows the strength of the sweat production. The test can also serve as a control tool for an ongoing treatment. Another way of making a diagnosis is quantitative sudometry to measure sweat secretion.
Complications
Sweaty feet can cause various complications depending on the cause. First, the stress on the skin of the feet leads to increasing damage to the lower layers of the skin. The damaged skin is more susceptible to other diseases, which often leads to athlete's foot infections or viral warts in the feet.
Athlete's foot, in turn, can lead to a number of secondary infections and inflammations. In rare cases, a fungal infection can cause life-threatening blood poisoning. Sweaty foot patients generally tend to have more skin diseases and eczema on their feet, due to the germ-friendly environment and contact with bacterial pathogens.
Those affected also suffer primarily from the social consequences of sweaty feet. The development of smells can lead to social exclusion and as a result contribute to the development of anxiety disorders such as social phobia. If left untreated, sweaty feet and their consequences can be an enormous burden for those affected.
However, if the sweaty feet are treated comprehensively, serious complications can usually be avoided. Treatment may lead to allergic reactions to the prescribed medication, which are usually associated with temporary itching and a temporary increase in symptoms.
When should you go to the doctor?
The sweaty feet are not a medical complication or a dangerous condition for the body and therefore do not need to be treated by a doctor. Treatment can be given if the patient is uncomfortable with the symptom. The sweaty feet can also contribute to a decreased self-esteem and a decreased self-confidence.
In some cases, there are also social problems, as the unpleasant smells put a lot of strain on the environment. A doctor can be consulted if these symptoms arise. However, there are many different possibilities for self-help available to the patient, which can be tried out before a doctor's visit.
The doctor can usually remove the sweat glands and thereby remedy the symptom of sweaty feet relatively well. In any case, medical treatment is necessary if infections or inflammation of the feet occur due to sweaty feet. In these cases, the inflammation is treated primarily. Only then can the sweaty feet be treated and, if necessary, completely repaired.
Doctors & therapists in your area
Treatment & Therapy
In order to be able to combat sweaty feet effectively, it is important that medical treatment is given. Various options are available for this. The topical treatment is most commonly used. Antiperspirants, powders or creams are used here. These are available in pharmacies or drug stores. This can reduce the production of sweat and odor formation. Another possible therapy is iontophoresis.
Here, the sweat glands are temporarily closed, which is done by using direct current to inhibit perspiration. One of the surgical treatment methods is the lumbar sympathectomy, in which a certain area of the sympathetic is cut out or clamped off. However, this procedure is rarely done due to the risk of erectile dysfunction.
Another treatment option is aluminum chloride therapy. Here an aluminum chloride hexahydrate tincture is applied. The fluid blocks the sweat ducts, which greatly reduces or even stops sweating for a certain period of time. However, the treatment must be repeated regularly. Proper care is very important for sweaty feet that are not pathologically caused. An increased amount of care can successfully combat the unpleasant ailment. Basically, it is important to wash your feet every day and dry them thoroughly.
Moisture is generally a good breeding ground for microorganisms. The feet should be given a lot of cream after washing. The toenails should also be cleaned regularly. Excess callus can easily be removed with a scraper. The aim of all of this is to prevent nesting sites for bacteria. Frequent barefoot walking is also helpful because it helps ventilate the feet.
Outlook & forecast
Sweaty feet do not necessarily have to be treated by a doctor and do not represent a particularly serious complication. As a rule, the sweat glands can also be suctioned on the feet. This severely restricts sweating on the feet, which prevents sweaty feet from developing.
It is a surgical procedure that is pain-free and does not entail any particular complications. The sweat glands also no longer grow back, so that sweaty feet can no longer occur here. In general, however, you should first try to maintain good and regular personal hygiene, change your socks every day, not walk barefoot in closed shoes and not use the shoes at the same time in sports and everyday life.
If the sweaty feet are not treated medically, they usually lead to unpleasant smells and can be a nuisance to other people. The patient can use certain powders or creams against sweaty feet. However, whether they are effective and avoid unpleasant odors depends heavily on the severity of the sweaty feet.
In rare cases, sweaty feet can also lead to fungal infections on the feet, which then have to be treated medically. This treatment also runs without complications and is successful.
prevention
To prevent sweaty feet, it is important to make sure you are wearing breathable shoes that are changed frequently. We also recommend fresh cotton socks every day. Odor-blocking insoles with cedar wood, activated charcoal or cinnamon are also helpful. A foot deodorant can also suppress odor. Washing your feet regularly with cold water and often walking barefoot also counteracts increased perspiration.
Excess callus should be removed with an appropriate file. The use of special anti-perspiration agents also serves as a preventive measure. Various foot sprays and powder products are available for this purpose. These have a bactericidal effect. Zinc ointment is one of the tried and tested home remedies that absorb increased moisture.
You can do that yourself
Sweaty feet should be kept dry and clean. After showering or washing with lukewarm water, it is necessary to dry thoroughly, especially between the toes. After drying, the feet can be treated with fungicidal and antibacterial substances and / or with care products. Foot powder on the sole of the foot and between the toes can also be helpful.
People with sweaty feet should wear open or breathable shoes. Slippers or sandals are particularly recommended, but they should not be made of plastic. Real leather is recommended for closed shoes. It makes sense to change shoes and socks several times a day. Cotton socks are helpful, synthetic socks are not recommended. There are also special socks with incorporated silver or copper that have an antibacterial effect and reduce the smell of sweat. Walking barefoot ventilates the sweaty feet and also prevents misalignments.
Sweaty feet can be treated with foot baths. The water temperature should be lukewarm and the foot bath should not last longer than a few minutes, otherwise the opposite effect may be achieved. It makes sense to dissolve healing extracts such as sage in the water. A sage bath refreshes your feet and prevents odor formation.
Various remedies for sweaty feet, such as pedispray, can be purchased in the drugstore. Home remedies such as alcohol, zinc or iodine ointment can also help against sweaty feet.
