Dealing With Sweaty Feet

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Oh baby it’s hot out there! Here in New York City we’ve been enduring a heat wave and at Goldsmith Podiatry we know that sweaty feet are something most people are experiencing during this weather. Sometimes, however, sweaty feet are more than just a seasonal nuisance. A condition known as hyperhidrosis causes some people to sweat excessively no matter what the temperature is outside. How do you know if your sweaty feet are caused by this condition? Here are a few clues:

  • Your feet sweat excessively all the time—not just in the summer months when the temperature rises. 
  • Your palms also tend to get sweaty frequently.
  • You feel sweaty when most people around you do not. It’s thought that patients with this disorder have a lower “set point,” which triggers the body to start sweating at much lower temperatures than the average person.
  • Feet may have a whitish and wet appearance.
  • You seem prone to fungal foot infections (fungi love moist, warm places).
  • Foot odor is noticeable on a daily basis—this is because sweat interacts with bacteria which produces the bad smell.

Drier Feet are Possible

Our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith or Dr. Rosanna Troia, can examine your feet and determine if you have hyperhidrosis. There are several treatment options available ranging from medication to a noninvasive procedure called iontophoresis which uses a mild electrical current to help reduce sweating in your feet. If the problem is severe, a surgical procedure can be performed that will actually interrupt the nerve signals to the brain which control sweating.

There are several steps you can that will help with sweaty feet whether you have hyperhidrosis or are just trying to get through a New York City summer:

  • Wash your feet every day with antibacterial soap. 
  • Dry feet completely after washing or showering and then apply foot powder or cornstarch.
  • Wear moisture wicking socks that take sweat away from the skin.
  • Change your socks whenever you notice they are damp.

If you have questions about whether or not foot symptoms you are experiencing are pointing to a chronic foot problem, contact us by calling: 212-877-1002.

Common Foot ConditionsGoldsmith Podiatry