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
How We Help:
Arch Supports:
- BioOrthotics exercising support with metatarsal lift
- Lower and thinner arch support with longitudinal and metatarsal support for use when shoes cannot accommodate the BioOrthotics exercising support
Shoes:
- Extra depth, double or triple depth shoe with high toe box, firm heel counter, rocker sole and connecting shank
- Smart footwear, such as heel to toe rockers, negative heel shoes or shoes with titanium springs
- If regular flip-flop wearer, wear only the Orthaheel, Alegria or Aetrex brand
Other:
- Wear socks to keep good traction in shoes
- Copper, bamboo or silver socks that wick moisture away from the skin and prevent infection
- Place cedar shoe trees in shoes after each wearing so shoes always fully dry out
- Anti-perspirant for feet and/or powders with zinc oxide nanotechnology
- 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 2005-2010 Carole Romig
Sources Image: Text: ExcessiveSweating.org, Handsdry.com