Really Sweaty Feet: Causes and Treatment

Sweating can increase with heat, exercise, stress or enclosed shoes, but some people sweat heavily even when the surroundings are cool. Persistent moisture can soften the skin, cause slipping inside shoes and encourage odour or Athlete's Foot. Excessive Sweating may affect the feet alone or occur with the palms, underarms or other areas. A clinician will ask when it began, whether it occurs during sleep and whether medicines or another health problem could contribute.

Wash and dry the feet carefully, change socks when damp and alternate breathable shoes so each pair can dry. Choose moisture-managing socks and use a plain foot moisturiser on dry, cracked areas, keeping the spaces between toes dry. Prescription Antiperspirant may reduce sweat when applied as directed. Iontophoresis is another treatment a clinician may discuss when daily measures are not enough.

Book a review if sweating interferes with work, sport, sleep, footwear or confidence, or if the skin is repeatedly macerated, cracked or infected. Seek prompt care for painful redness, warmth, swelling, drainage or fever. Tell the clinician if sweating started suddenly, affects the whole body or is accompanied by dizziness, palpitations or unexplained weight change.

Does this fit plantar hyperhidrosis or could a medicine or health condition be contributing? Which antiperspirant strength and application schedule are suitable? Would iontophoresis help, and how should I protect irritated skin?