Have you been able to make the most out of the summer? Getting out to the beach, hiking a trail through a forest, or playing your favourite sport? If so, you may have encountered a common problem: sweaty feet. Walking around all day in heavy boots or running around in the same shoes will cause significant foot perspiration and the strong desire to do your laundry more regularly.
While sweating and sweaty feet are normal to help us to cool down, there can come a time where it starts to cause problems. Beyond just a stinky smell, a medically excessive amount of sweating is called hyperhidrosis, and on the feet, plantar hyperhidrosis. This can lead to:
- Blisters & Skin Breakdown
- When there is too much moisture consistently due to sweaty feet, the skin can either develop blisters from the friction, or breakdown entirely. This can cause pain and discomfort and create an uncomfortable experience.
- Fungal Infections
- Certain microbes thrive in wet environments, and fungus is one of them. They enjoy cool, dark, and damp places, which are all conditions foot perspiration will create.
- Odour and Bacteria Overgrowth
- That foot odour isn’t just smelly – it is a sign of bacteria, which is the source of the stench. In combination with openings created in the skin, we can get a much more serious infection of bacteria, leading to swelling and risk of further complications.
- Ruined Shoes and Socks
- With constant moisture, socks and shoes can become damaged, or ridden with fungal organisms. There are UV lights available to treat shoes, but some choose to discard them.
Top Survival Tips
- Let the feet breathe – Whenever you can, knock the shoes off and let the puppies out. The air flow will help to dry out the sweaty feet and cool them down.
- Antiperspirant use – The use of medications such as Drysol (aluminum chloride hexahydrate) will stop the sweat glands from overproducing.
- Clean Sweep® is an excellent solution that is also easy to use. With its Nanosilver formula, it effectively combats surface level bacteria, fungus, and odour when used regularly on your shoes.
- Correct Sock Selection – Merino wool and synthetic polyester blends have great breathability and will allow sweaty feet to breathe. Silver/copper infused socks will be naturally antibacterial.
- Rotating Shoes – Despite our best efforts to prevent foot perspiration, it will occur, and we need to let the shoes breathe and dry out on their own too.
- Foot Hygiene – We can change our habits to include more frequent washing, drying between the toes, or using epsom salt baths more regularly.
When to see a BioPed Clinician
After trying your best, sweaty feet can still occur, and may require medical intervention. If you still experience persistent wetness, frequent infections, or an emotional and social impact, you may want to try seeing one of our BioPed clinicians.
They can discuss all aforementioned advice, but also give mention to prescription grade anti-perspirants, iontophoresis, or referrals towards injections, oral medications, or surgery.
If you are still struggling with sweaty feet after reading our survival guide, book an appointment at your nearest BioPed location today!
