Everyone’s feet sweat. After all, there are 250,000 glands in the feet. Most people sweat in temperatures like we had in Chicago this summer, it’s just unavoidable when it’s 100 plus degrees. When the body gets warm, it sweats. This is simply biology. The interesting thing is that everyone has their own temperature breaking point when they start to sweat. A wife could start to sweat when it’s 75 degrees outside while the husband thinks this is the ideal temperature and doesn’t start to sweat. Every person’s body has their own temperature “set point”.
But for some, their feet sweat excessively all of the time. By excessive I mean when one’s foot slips and slides around in one’s shoe. The technical term is called hyperhidrosis. The foot may appear whitish in color and look wet. Excessive wetness of the feet can cause foot infections. Skin is durable, but still sensitive. The wetness can cause the skin to break down, causing small tears where infection can take place. Bacteria grow in dark damp conditions and can be a real concern.
Sweaty feet are commonly found:
Men > Women
Young Adults > Older Adults
What does one do for sweaty feet?
- Wear shoes that breathe.
- Wear wicking socks.
- Wear synthetic sock blends vs. cotton socks.
- Change socks multiple times a day.
- Wash feet with antibacterial soap.
- Make appointment for a proper diagnosis & further medical treatment options.
American Podiatric Medical Associaton. (2012). Sweaty feet. Retrieved from http://www.apma.org/learn/FootHealth.cfm?ItemNumber=1951
Image by Brave Heart. (2008). Wet foot prints. Flickr. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/brraveheart/2607936114/