Each foot has over 250,000 sweat glands and typically produces about half a pint of sweat per foot per day! However some people suffer from a condition called hyperhidrosis, where the production is far beyond this. It typically affects hands, feet and armpits, in any combination of the three. You can also develop excessive sweating because of other illnesses or due to side effects of medications.
This can be an embarrassing and debilitating condition. Imagine having to shake hands when your palms are soaked, or handling important documents. Thankfully treatment is available. If your sweating is being caused by an illness or medication side effects, speak to your GP or specialist about how to address the underlying cause.
Treatments
A first line treatment which can be very effective on the feet is antiperspirants. You need a very strong one, something like Driclor, which needs applying at night. This is because the excess sweating stops when asleep. Giving a chance for the aluminium chloride to get inside the sweat glands to block them. Botox injections not only stop us getting wrinkles on our foreheads, but also paralyse the sweating nerves and provide about 6 months relief on the feet. You can have this administered by a dermatologist. Your GP can refer you on the NHS, or you can pay to see someone privately.
You can also try a technique called iontophoresis. This involves a machine which sends a mild electrical current through your feet, hands, and/or armpits, disrupting the nerve signals which produce sweating. A machine costs a minimum £400 to purchase. So you may like to have a trial first with a dermatologist to make sure this technique works for you.
Tablets called anticholinergics can also help. These will need to be prescribed by a GP, but because they affect your whole body, you may find you develop other side effects. A final resort is surgery, but this involves a general anaesthetic, a collapsed lung, and certain nerves being severed. Because of the risk of side effects, this is reserved for people whose lives are severely impacted by hyperhidrosis.
Simple things you can do at home to help include alternating your shoes daily so you allow yesterday’s pair to dry out thoroughly. Change your socks halfway through the day to remove the moisture. Try bamboo socks which can hold moisture and have antimicrobial properties. Wash with an emollient rather than a foaming soap/shower gel, as your skin will not feel the need to overproduce sweat to compensate for the drying effects. Spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine increase sweating, so try avoiding these.
Do you still have questions about your sweaty feet? Contact us today to arrange a consultation with one of our podiatrists. There is no need to be embarrassed.
