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SWEATING FEET (PLANTAR HYPERHIDROSIS)

Hyperhidrosis causes body heat loss through excessive sweating from the hands, feet or underarms.  The heat loss is so efficient that most persons with hyperhidrosis have body temperatures below 98.6 degrees.  The sweating begins with a physiologic trigger (vs. emotional distress) that results in the hands and feet becoming cold and clammy while heavily perspiring at the same time.

The condition tends to run in families but also comes from known medical conditions and diseases, such as an overactive thyroid, nerve damage from diabetes, spinal cord injuries, Raynaud’s syndrome, menopause, or an overactive sympathetic nervous system.  It can also exist without any known cause. 

Treatments can range from accommodation to the effects of moisture on the feet to medication to surgery.  Surgery has been effective for reducing symptoms in the upper body but not in the feet.

Other names or similar foot conditions:

• Hyperephidrosis
• Polyhidrosis
• Sudorrhea

Symptoms:

• Sudden sweating regardless of temperature conditions
• Excessive sweating in feet and other body parts
• Feet become cold while sweating

Signs to look for:

• One of the medical conditions noted above
• Complaints of cold feet
• Complaints of shoes smelling badly
• Wet socks

Possible Causes:

• Overactive sympathetic nervous system triggered by medical conditions, such as overactive thyroid, nerve damage from diabetes, spinal cord injuries, Raynaud’s syndrome, menopause, or an overactive sympathetic nervous system.
• Can arise from an unknown cause

Goals:

• Diagnosis and treatment as necessary
• Footwear and skin care to accommodate moisture
• Footwear and skin care to prevent bacterial or fungal side effects

Solutions:

Arch Supports:

• Bio-Orthotics Winstep or Sundance exercising support with metatarsal lift

• Lower and thinner arch support with longitudinal and metatarsal support, such as the Bio-Orthotics Journey or Silhouette, for use when shoes cannot accommodate the Winstep or Sundance exercising support

Extra depth shoe with high toe box, firm heel counter, rocker sole and steel shank

Other: 

• Copper socks

• Synthetic socks that wick moisture away from skin

• Place cedar shoe trees in shoes after each wearing so shoes always fully dry out

• Anti-perspirant for feet

• Follow blister prevention protocol for weight bearing exercising

• Regular callus filing with pumice device (leaving cutting of calluses to a physician only)

• Regular skin care program to include exfoliating and moisturizing

This information does not constitute a diagnosis of your condition and does not take the place of a doctor’s care.  The information has been compiled from sources available to the general public and referenced below.  Copyright 2005 Carole Romig

Sources  Image:  Text:  ExcessiveSweating.org, Handsdry.com