Excessive Feet Sweating and Smelly Feet

There are 250,000 sweat glands in our feet. And we can excrete as much as half a pint of moisture in a day. Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition described as excessive sweating. This can cause discomfort especially if it causes excessive foot perspiration.

Sweaty Feet

People who have sweaty feet can also suffer from sweaty palms and armpits. The exact causes of excessive sweating is unknown but it can be traced to overactive sweat glands. People with a family history of heavy sweating also have a higher tendency for suffering from the same condition.

Sweat can be a physical or physiological response. The body uses sweat glands for cooling down the body or an unconscious response to stress.  However, when this becomes excessive even without any physical or psychological triggers, a person can be suffering from excessive sweating which may require treatment.

Sweaty feet can cause athlete’s foot or blisters. Consult a podiatrist if you suspect that you have excessive feet swelling.

Possible Candidates

People in their 20’s and adolescents usually have overactive sweat glands. This is mainly due to physical and hormonal changes being experienced in this age group. Sweat glands can be triggered by stress and strong emotions. This can also be the reason why smell feet is a common complain among teenagers.

Living with Sweaty Feet

Practicing foot care and maintaining proper hygiene helps stop smelly feet. It can also prevent fungal infections such as those seen in Athlete’s foot. Accumulated moisture especially in areas between the toes are perfect breeding ground for infection.

Preventing smelly feet can be done by simply washing your feet with anti-bacterial soap. Using absorbent foot powder and using creams can help stop the growth of fungi and bacteria. Alternating your shoes and regularly changing your socks are simple ways of keeping foul odors at bay. Also consider wearing shoes which lets your feet breathe.

Medical Treatments

Medical treatments may be required when conservative treatments do not help you get rid of smelly feet because of excessive sweating. Treatments can include electric stimulation and Botox injections to minimize sweating.

Contact James C. Ricketti, DPM and let us address all your foot and ankle needs. Our board-certified podiatrist will tailor treatments based on your individual needs and with our state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment options, we’ll help you get back on your feet in no time! Call our office today at 609-587-1674 to make an appointment at our conveniently located Hamilton, NJ office.