Many people who have sweaty feet often develop a foul odor which can be nauseating to say the least. Many people are embarrassed to remove their shoes at other people’s home chiefly because of the smell. Sweaty feet are very common and occur in both men and women. Sweating tends to be most common on the soles of the feet and in between the toe web-spaces. Feet have a high concentration of sweat glands and the sweat plays a vital role in preventing dryness of skin and washing away debris. However, in some people these sweat glands work overtime and make a profuse amount of sweat. When sweat accumulates, it allows bacteria to thrive. Over time, this leads to a horrible odor, which is often worsened when the individual wears tight shoes with little aeration. If sweating in the feet goes uncontrolled, it can lead to a fungus infection, itching and peeling of skin.

Why Do Feet Sweat?

Feet can sweat for many reasons including both physical and emotional reasons.

Some people may have a genetic trait- if you have more than one person in the family with sweaty feet, chances are that you may also develop the same condition.

People who exercise also tend to sweat and if they do not maintain good person hygiene, this can lead to bad odor.

The type of footwear one wears is also a common cause of sweat. People who wear tight constrictive shoes and nylon socks are prone to sweat as they prevent evaporation of sweat. Many sneakers are made of plastic or synthetic lining which does not allow for aeration and lead to accumulation of sweat.

Socks made from nylon are commonly associated with excess sweat retention. Nylon does not allow for aeration and acts like a sponge.

Finally there are some individuals who have excess sympathetic activity which leads to sweating of feet. There are also some nerve conditions (neuropathies) that may be associated with sweating.

Treatment of Sweaty feet

For most people with sweaty feet there is really no need to rush to see a doctor. A common sense approach can help most people get rid of sweaty feet.

The first thing to do when you develop sweaty feet is to change your shoes and socks frequently. Wear shoes or foot wear which is open (eg sandals). Avoid shoes made of plastic or rubber. Give your feet a break from shoes regularly; try going bare feet or walk around in sandals. Avoid slippers as they are made of rubber and in fact retain sweat. When at home expose the feet to air. If your shoes ever get wet, put on a dry pair.

Wear socks made from cotton. If you exercise, wear a new pair of socks and get in the habit of changing socks often if you sweat. Please do not wear the same exercise socks to work or anywhere else.

The next thing is to keep your feet dry. There are many types of foot powders on the market. Baby powder is as good as any other powder. Apply the powder liberally on the feet several times a day. Even when not wearing shoes, powder the feet and expose them to air.

If the sweating still persists, you can use Drysol, which is a topical antiperspirant. Only apply a small film as this agent can cause irritation of skin. It works well but is also slightly expensive.

After a shower or a bath, make sure your feet are dry before you wear socks. Sometimes a hair dryer may help get rid of any wetness in-between the web spaces.

In some cases, one may need treatment for a fungal infection. Fungus thrives in sweat. There are some topical fungal powders available which one can buy without a prescription. These powders work fast and are very effective. After every exercise, dry the feet and apply the medicated powder.

Some people recommend soaking feet in a tub of vinegar and warm water. Vinegar is a potent acid and can dry feet. So limit the time you soak the feet in this solution. Sometimes you may need to moisturize the feet after soaking feet with vinegar.

Finally maintain good feet hygiene. Most people thoroughly wash their face, hair, upper body and genitals but never ever touch the feet. So get in the habit of washing your feet regularly. It really does not matter what soap you use as long as you use some type of detergent.

You should only see a healthcare provider if all the above home remedies do not help.