Sweaty Feet Disease – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

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Reason

The body sweats is normal and there are three main functions of sweat, namely:

1. Maintain body temperature, with sweat the body temperature remains normal and does not rise too high
2. Excretion, sweat is another way for the body to get rid of water and salt
3. Skin protection, sweat contains a small amount of acid which helps protect the skin from germs (bacteria) and keeps the skin supple

Summarize from Patient Info and Feet First Clinic, the amount of sweat that comes out in humans is adjusted to the number of sweat glands that work and their activities.

This activity is regulated by nerves and hormones and is influenced by gender, with men sweating more than women.

When all sweat glands are working at maximum capacity, the human sweat rate can exceed three liters per hour.

Also read: Is it true that the palms of the hands often sweat, a symptom of wet lungs?

However, excessive sweating that occurs on the feet is often experienced by teenagers and pregnant women due to hormonal changes that trigger sweating.

In a pair of feet there are at least 250,000 sweat glands which generally produce about half a liter of sweat in one day.

This is what causes the feet to sweat more than the rest of the body.

However, not everyone sweats at the same rate. Age, weight, muscle mass, and fitness level affect the amount of sweat.

Moreover, there are possibilities causes of sweaty feet including:

1. Heat, both weather and high body temperature (fever)
2. Strenuous activity, such as sports
3. Emotions, such as anxiety and emotional stress
4. Stand all day
5. Excess weight (obesity)
6. Wrong choice of footwear, tight shoes cause sweat can’t evaporate
7. Hyperhidrosis, a hereditary condition when the body secretes abnormally excessive sweating
8. Effects of prescribed drugs, especially some types of antidepressants
9. Night sweats, often due to diabetes or menopause
10. Some medical conditions, such as:
    1. Diabetes, drug effects can trigger night sweats
    2. Heart valve infection (endocarditis)
    3. Generalized anxiety disorder
    4. An overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
    5. Blood cancer (leukemia)
    6. Cancer of the cells of the body’s lymphatic system (lymphoma)
    7. Tuberculosis infection

Also read: How to Overcome Sweaty Hands

However, until now the exact cause of excessive sweating is still unknown.

Symptom

In addition to sweating, other symptoms of sweaty feet are excessive odor, the feet look white, and it is difficult to grip the shoes.

Foot odor is caused by bacteria that appear in moist and warm conditions in the shoes.

Diagnosis

Some of the following methods may be used by the doctor to diagnose the cause of sweaty feet:

• Laboratory tests, such as blood, urine, or other tests
  This test is done to see if sweating is caused by another medical condition, such as hyperthyroidism or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
• Sweat test

To measure the severity of the patient’s condition

Maintenance

Launch Mayo ClinicIf a medical condition is found that triggers sweaty feet, the doctor will first treat the condition.

However, if no clear cause is found then treatment is carried out to control excessive sweating.

Also read: 8 Causes of Sweating at Night and How to Overcome It

Here are some medical treatments that can be done for: get rid of sweaty feet, among others:

• Therapy iontophoresis, to inhibit sweat
• Botulinum toxin injections (botox injections) in the feet to block the nerves that cause excessive sweating temporarily
• Oral medicine, of a kind glycopyrrolate and propantheline bromide to prevent stimulation of sweat glands
• Beta-blockers if excessive sweating occurs due to stress
• If medication doesn’t work for excessive sweating, the doctor may perform surgery Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS).

In addition to medical, there are several methods that can be done to treat sweaty feet independently, including:

• Wash your feet regularly and dry them properly
• Use antibacterial soap to wash your feet
• Use black tea to soak sweaty feet
• Using antiperspirant products to prevent sweating
• Change socks at least twice a day
• Using foot powder twice a day
• Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol between your toes or on sweaty areas of your feet to dry your feet

Prevention

Quoted from Medical News TodayThere are several ways you can do to prevent sweaty feet, including:

Also read: 10 Causes of Sweating During Sleep that are Important to Know

1. Record the occurrence of sweaty feet and find the pattern
   This is done to help find out the triggers of foot sweat so that you can avoid or limit doing those triggers.
2. Wearing the right socks
   Use cotton to deal with sweaty feet
3. Use antifungal foot spray or powder
   This can help keep feet dry and odor free
4. Use the right footwear
   a. Choose shoes made of materials that absorb sweat, such as canvas or leather
   b. Avoid shoes that are too tight
   c. Choose absorbent or deodorizing insoles to prevent foot odor
5. Using footwear alternately
6. Make sure the body stays hydrated to reduce the possibility of sweating

Even if you take precautions, it doesn’t mean you can stop your feet from sweating because it happens naturally.

Consult a doctor if you experience excessive sweating that interferes with daily activities to get the right treatment.

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This article is not intended for self-diagnosis. Please always consult a doctor to get the right examination and treatment.

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