Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for sweaty feet. This is a common problem, especially for people who are physically active. There are 250,000 sweat glands in the feet, notes Feet for Life. Anyone who has ever noticed the aroma from a pair of stinky sneakers knows that feet do sweat profusely. There are numerous causes for feet that sweat due to exertion or stress. There are also commercially available cures for this problem and some natural remedies too.
Antiperspirant
Applying an antiperspirant to the bottoms of the feet will help to quell sweating. If standard antiperspirants do not stop the sweating of the feet, a doctor can provide a prescription for an antiperspirant that contains aluminum chloride, notes the Mayo Clinic. This product will be applied to the feet prior to going to sleep.
Leather Shoes & Cotton Socks
Selecting shoes and socks that are made of natural materials will help limit sweating of the feet, notes the Mayo Clinic. Shoes made of leather or canvas and socks made of cotton will allow air to circulate and help feet stay dry. Cotton and wool socks will also absorb any sweat from the feet to help keep the feet dry.
Iontophoresis
Iontophoresis is a treatment to cure sweating via the use of electrical current. A device that runs on batteries is used to send a small current to the skin. During the procedure the skin is covered with wool pads soaked in water. This treatment changes the top layer of the skin to impede sweat from moving to the skin's surface. Some pain is experienced during iontophoresis. It must be done twice daily for three to four weeks. The procedure must then be done again in a few weeks.
Meditation & Yoga
Activities like meditation and yoga train the body to relax and encourage calmness in life. Practicing these stress reduction techniques can often lessen stress and sweating as the activities train the body to react calmly to stress rather than breaking out in an emotional sweat.
Modify Diet
Changing the diet to eliminate certain foods and beverages will also help feet stay sweat free. Eliminate foods with strong odors such as garlic to help limit sweating. Limiting soda, tea, coffee and other drinks with caffeine is another way to reduce sweating of the feet, notes the Mayo Clinic.
Surgery
Surgical remedies are also available to treat sweaty feet. Procedures include surgery to eliminate some of the sweat glands in the feet and also surgery to disable the nerve signal in the feet that activates sweating, reports the Mayo Clinic.
Medications
Numerous oral medications are also used as treatments to eliminate sweating. Drugs such as amitriptyline, glycopyrrolate, topiramate and clonindine are used to treat excessive sweating. Each drug has side effects; ask the doctor to explain which drug would be most effective and least problematic for the symptoms presented.
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