Excessive foot sweating, also known as pedal hyperhidrosis, usually appears in a combination with excessive hand sweat. Patients suffering from this condition may also experience problems with armpit and/or face. This condition (with the feet) is is not very common and although pedal hyperhidrosis is not as obvious and emotional upsetting as hand sweat, it can still be a problem.
Foot Sweating and Odor
The odor associated with heavy foot sweating represents one of the major issues of this condition. This can prove to be an obstacle in many social situations. The patients’ anxiety levels are high whenever they have to take of their shoes in a social environment, as they fear that the odor triggered by heavy sweating will become obvious to the others. People suffering from pedal hyperhidrosis also accuse feeling their feet wet and cold most of the time. This creates and uncomfortable feeling where they feel like they are slipping in their own shoes.
Other problems refer to the difficulties in getting pedicures. Foot infections are also more frequent, as the constant humidity favors the growth of germs and bacteria. Athletes foot is also observed with many patients of pedal hyperhidrosis.
The most commonly used medication for foot sweating includes antiperspirants and a variety of medications. These can produce good result when combined with iontophoresis. Even though it is rare, solitary pedal hyperhidrosis responds well to a treatment of sympathectomy.
For foot sweating, try getting more Potassium and maybe Magnesium.
Calvin says
Wearing leather or cork footbed type sandals tends to be better then rubber. Also, wearing sandals that have a back strap helps for possible slippage and support like Chaco’s. As for wearing flip flops, I do wear a brand by SOLE. The podiatrist recommend them. They have a nice arch and heel cup. What really sucks, is that sweat sometimes actually starts to pool underneath the foot in the foot bed of the sandal. I never liked the look of wearing socks with sandals or flip flops. I resisted wearing then until my podiatrist suggested that I give a try. Plus, I was getting tired of standing uncomfortable sweat. I wear Inijini low cut socks; ankle and no-show. They are a running style toe sock. Wearing the gray and brown colored ones looks fine. One thing I noticed was the comfort level went up considerably. Even though the feet will continue to sweat, the socks felt fairly dry under my feet wearing then along with a pair of SOLE flip flops. The other day I was in a hurry, and I did not have a clean pair of socks to put on. So I just wore my flip flops bare; my feet reminded me that I still sweat.
Sandra says
Over the summer, I find that wearing a supportive pair of flip flops gives me the best ventilation under me feet while walking then ones with all the straps locking in the heel.
Ann-Rita says
Thanks Kim and Eddie…God bless your sweet hearts….and @Kim I still look forward to your list of tricks. Thank you.
Eddie says
I believe I have the answer to your problem and it is only because of first hand experience why I am able to suspect that you might be suffering from a psychological disorder. I think you have what is called Olfactory Reference Syndrome. Olfactory Reference Syndrome (ORS) is a condition whereby an individual is chronically obsessed with the belief that they emit an offensive body odor which the individual confirms based on the perceived reactions of others and leads to abnormal social behavior.
Take a look at Clinical Case Section of page 2 of this research paper. The experience might be very similar to yours as it was to mine.
Sometimes, and I am not sure why, our brains will force us to believe that something is real even by stimulating our senses to make us think that we smell, see or hear things that are not real. I have strong reason to believe that you have absolutely no smell and that it is all made up in your mind. The sooner you realize this, the earlier you can seek help or treatment and save yourself many years of unnecessary suffering. I once suffered from ORS and even after I discovered my condition it was hard for me to let go of it. But in time, you will get back to normal as long as you stay positive and keep assuring yourself that there is NO smell.
People around you may seem like they are avoiding you or are disgusted by you but remember that this is an assumption that you making in your head, it is all made up. I have reasoned that maybe it began when a person had a severe case of anxiety at the same time with an incident where there was actually a bad smell. Thus, the person was left traumatized and a false notion of having a bad odor was planted in the mind. So stop believing that you smell!! Save yourself the time! Don’t waste your precious youth!
Ask yourself this question: If there really was a bad smell, why wouldn’t my friends, family, or colleagues say something DIRECTLY to me about it?? If they can say other more intimate things to you why not tell you something as simple as that? So get it out of your head. Oh and one of the first steps to overcome this is to actually ASK SOMEBODY YOU TRUST. Ask that person if you actually do have a bad smell in whatever area that smell is coming from, and even describe the smell you think you have to them. Their answer will come as a BIG SURPRISE to you. But it will be someone you trust so you know that they are telling you the truth.
Don’t mistake hand gestures and movement as evidence that you stink. People do all kinds of gestures and movement for random reasons. Don’t think that it has anything to do with you. Everything is not about you! lol. But all the best my friend and speedy recovery! Get your life back!! I did!
Kim says
Hi Ann-Rita,
I feel your pain! All I can say right now is Be Strong Today! I’ll put together a list of tricks when I have time that may help during work and leave them here as a comment. I know that if I think about my uncomfortable situation that I’ll just make it worse – easier said than done, but had to say it.
Ann-Rita says
I’m currently sitting in front of my computer…. tearing up….the room is really comfortable…air conditioning is turned on, I’m not sweating but I’m sure they can smell my shoes and feet from right across the room; clear aftermath of my trudging around in this climate(I live in the humid tropics) to get to work this morning.
In a few hours I’ll be back outside and reality will come pouring out of my pores (face, underarms, palms, feet….all sweaty)…….I cant afford any expensive treatments, I’ve run out of money stocking up antiperspirants, I don’t eat as well as I should be because I’m afraid the next thing I pop in my mouth may start pouring out of me…..
I’m 22 and I’m on the brink of chronic depression…Try keeping up self esteem or holding conversation with sweaty underarms, runny makeup, smelly shoes, slippery feet and dripping palms….Heaven help us all
P.S. Someone just opened up new air fresheners…..Just started working here and my shoes and feet are already stinking up the place…
Aaron G. says
I have a problem with foot sweating, other parts sweat but it really doesn’t bother me as much as my feet. I can get new shoes and a week later they smell putrid. within an hour of putting socks on and covered with lotrimin powder my socks are wet. Barefoot is the only thing that helps prevent it. But i cant work barefoot.
I know i don’t have athletes foot because they look fine, nails between the toes nothing. for the last two years i have tried powders, anti-fungal socks, washing my feet 3 times a day, and changing my socks and shoes every four hours. Nothing helps as they sweat so fast I cant reasonably keep up with it. Even if i wash my shoes frequently, which is not good for them. I always bleach my socks, and scrub feet.
No solution has worked other than to walk barefoot. so weekends alone nice happy feet. The rest of the work week with others, stinky damn feet. I hate this problem and I would really like a non surgical solution.
Andrew Carpenter says
For excess sweating, try getting more Potassium and maybe Magnesium.
Bre says
Grrr… I hate my feet. My feet are always wet! I’m 17 and for years now I have had this problem, like I don’t get it they could be cold but wet at the same time. Some people are like oh I’ve had these shoes for years and I’m just like oh that’s cool. no matter what type of socks I wear or what kind shoes I buy, they always end up smelling after a while. So then I wash them but the smell comes back after awhile. I’m so over it, I just end up throwing them away and I’m like oh well there goes $150 down the drain. It just sucks that I’m constantly washing my feet and using powders, which buy the way don’t work. I just want something effective that can help me.
kyle says
I sweat from all of them, hands, feet, face, pits. It started when i hit puberty. My biggest sweater is my face i can and have bent over in a walk in freezer and fridge and will be dripping within a minute.
When i was in school i would have to exercise caution not to destroy tests or any paper with my hands, but the worst was my feet. Daily showers and clean socks would not prevent foot odor. Brand new shoes would be okay but after a month you could sit next to me and smell it. Within 3 months you could smell me from pretty far away. I was lucky i kept my head down kept away from others and with the start of high school would ask the teachers to seat me off by myself. Some would others wouldn’t.
I avoided bullying by never giving others the rise they were looking for. They tried for a month or so then gave up.
It used to be that when i would wear sandals i would get puddles and be slipping around. A little over a year ago i stopped wearing shoes. It took about a month or two and now my feet only sweat when covered. (Socks blanket)
I still have to remember to have a towel or rag with me always for my face. And to bring my own controller if i am gonna go game with friends.
Trust me go barefoot.
Kj says
I have had sweaty hands, feet, & armpits, for as long as i can remember & they all are worse when I don’t wear socks, I hate wearing sandals, although when I get a pedicure they say I hsve nice soft feet, go figure, it’s because they are always sweaty. They need to invent some medicine to tske orally to prevent the sweating, because reading these comments clearly shows how common the problem is.
Gracie says
Phew, thank god I know what it is now. I’m 18 and whenever I have my toenails cut, my feet sweat so much and it has obviously been the cause of my left foots big toe to become infected. Atleast now I know I can go see a doctor about it and get medication 🙂 Such a helpful page!
MARK says
My feet are constantly wet and it is really getting me down. I dont know what to do about it. When i put my trainers on even for 30 minutes my feet will be soaking wet. if i took my socks off within a few minutes my feet would be wet to the touch. the smell is pretty awful to even if i shower every day. can you help me?????
Theresa says
I’m SO glad it’s not just me!! My hands & feet are totally connected, and when I wear socks it’s way better, almost not sweaty at all. It’s also connected mentally (when I think about it, it gets worse). I especially hate it in the summertime. I am currently looking for some cute shoes I can wear with shorts AND socks…converse for a sporty look?
Abril Pérez says
I have sweaty hands and feet, and my problem is when I want to use flip flops or any open shoes without socks, because I feel like I’m slipping in my shoes as you mentioned. It is really uncomfortable during summer or just warm days when I would like to be barefoot 🙁
I hate not being able to have a “normal” life. I know is not the end of the world, but ut is pretty annoying.
Belen says
Im 31 yrs old and sweaty palms and feet makes me uncomfortable everytime.I almost think i have this all my life..I dont want to wear socks coz it makes me feel more uncomfortable..if you can help me pls..
Ravi Inder Singh says
I having problem of sweating on my palms & feet ….There is no sweating until i think about it ….When i think about sweating on hands it automatically Comes…….Can Anybody tell me Treatment of this….I would really be thankful to him/her
Linda says
I wish it was that simply Bajju, but it’s not, especially when you have had to deal with this for 40 years!
bajju says
i’m from INDIA and i’m 21 and i still got sweaty palms and sweaty feet its not the end of the world guys so cheer up! I heard that its just temporary and it goes away with time the more you think about it the more it gets you..
vinoth says
Its very tough for me cos my foot is getting wet and slippers got wet and its very tough to go out to some places and is topamac 50 mg is given by dermatologist for this treatment is it workable and please suggest me the solution, as i could not concentrate in any other things please help me out and is heshed sea tea really works. reply me
kitty says
yeah i really don’t know what to do this summer, sandals without socks are just really uncomforable and sweaty for me, but socks do look a bit strange with them. Does anyone think that plain white short socks would look okay with white sandals? Please give me your advice, sorry if i have turned this into a fashion trend discussion!!!
;D
rebeca says
i am 16 . i have been SUFFERING with sweaty hands and feet . i panic when a guy asks to hold my had or when i want to wear sandals because i get sweaty. i also cant apply lotion on after i wash my hands and feet because it gets worse then my hands get cold. i have no idea how to make it stop and im soo happy that other people know what im going through. no one in my family has this condition . can someone tell me how to solve this other than with surgery?
arsalan hussain says
please tell me suitable treatment,i am suffer hand sweating and also my foot from my child hood no doctor diganose this problem can you please help me.i m working in saudia.
vinoth says
as for last two weeks my feets are sweating i dont know what to do my slippers got wet and when i stand in one place that place looks wet please give me the solution
shkathar says
i am live working in bahrain ,, my own native is india ,, when i put my shoe and sleper then my feet is sweating … i tried more then anti persparent spray and powder .and drycloor , and some cream ,, good cotton socks ,,,, odor control food pad and washing gel and new shoe
regularly 6 month but no use i did’t feel good because now this problem is bigin ,, i was asked more doctor’s how can i stop this problem ,,those doctor’s said this is your nature ..it will not stop ,,i don’t trust them …. two year’s later i sure i will cure the problem ..when go to india there doctors is must clear my problem … but now any one can help me
Maria says
I am Maria,I come from Kenya.I have a problem of sweating too much on my palms and feet.Whenever i apply lotion or petroleum jelly it gets really bad,and after that my feet and hands get very cold.
During the cold season at least i have a break from all that,but when summer’s up it all erupts again. it is embarrassing, considering i can’t even hold my boyfriend’s hand when we are walking together.
Please help as this is really worrying me. In my family no one sweats as excessively as me.
Apart from surgical procedure, what else can i do to get rid of it?
Sophia says
I have it also but it happens at night time when my five’O alarm go’s off I go back to sleep that’s when it happens, it hard to sleep after words.
Michael says
I am 14 years old and whenever I go to bed my feet start to sweat, I tried to fix the problem by having my blanket not cover them which only made it worse but making my feet cold and sweaty which is extremely uncomfortable. Is there any way to fix this problem
Wolfmaan says
I developed severe plantar hyperhidrosis many years ago. my feet go throughseveral distinct phases when I wear shoes of any kind. First they heat up, then sweat, then they swell, and finally peel and blister. My only options are risky surgery, drugs with side effects or electrocution therapy.
I have learned to become a hard-core barefooter and never been healthier and happier. As long as I’m barefoot or in flip-flops I am good. Anything else and I suffer greatly.
Try going barefoot more often, you’ll be surprised how this cost-free method will change your life for the better.
ravit paz says
Hi,
i live in Coral Springs FL i suffer from foot & hand sweating .
Can you please send me some information about it.
Ashley Thomas says
i have found that flipflops with cloth bottems help alot ! I get them from payless , not sure the brand . i still can not wear sandals =/
Mike says
Puddles of sweat in open sandals feels gross and uncomfortable when you have to stand on your feet for extended periods of time. It was recommended that I start wearing a light sock, even with my sport sandals. It’s not as clammy with the socks.
J says
Me and my older sister just noticed that we both had this condition about a year and a half ago. She had had it for a while before then, but it got so bad that she went to the doctor. She’s had it for about 3 years and I’ve had it for 1 and a half.
I have a really hard time finding sandals that I like because of it. As I’m sitting now, my feet are starting to sweat. Mine isn’t THAT bad, as I’ve read that there are much worse. I’m in high school & all of the cute pairs of flip flops that I find for the summer don’t end up working because my feet slide around in them because they are so sweaty. Me and my sister both experience puddles of sweat forming in our sandals.
My hands sweat excessively and that’s a problem at school. My paper starts to get damp and my pencil starts to slip. A girl made a comment about it when she accidentally touched my foot while we were sitting on the floor doing a project. It was very embarrassing, and I need something to do about it!
My mom seems to think that no one can do anything about it because that’s what the doctor told my sister. She refuses to repeat the trip, because they didn’t help us at all. They just diagnosed it and set us on our way. No meds, no anti-persperant, no nothing. Sometimes underarms even have a problem with excessive sweating, and anti-persperants just don’t work. It’s becoming a major embarrassment and problem in my confidence.
PLEASE HELP!
Mike says
I started to notice it during my high schools years. I started out college wearing leather boat type shoes and Teva sport sandals. On a budget, I did not give socks much thought. Leather helped out on any odor issues. I had a few pair of them. Sometimes I had to change out of them mid day. They got so damp and became clammy. The sport sandals were fine. Walking in them made sticky wet sounds when I walked around. The older type of sandal smelled badly when taken off. Running shoes need power and insoles.
Jennifer says
I have the same problem with not wearing socks and sweating. I thought I was the only one with this problem. I wish someone had an answer as to why and any way to prevent it from happening. I have been teased many of times for wearing socks with sandals but I gave up caring what other people think. I rather not be clammy and sweaty.
ADRIANA says
my hands and feet sweat alot when im not wearing any socks but when i do have socks on they dont sweat! therefore im always wearing socks so they dont sweat. what is wrong with me?
bamli says
i’m 20 years old & for the last 3 years i’ve suffered from hyperhidrosis. mostly my feet is very sweaty and smells when i put socks and shoes on, bothered me for years, i wash them(my feet) twice a day and also i use some antiperspirant powders and sprays, but they still smell.
what should i do?
Damian says
I’m 18 years old and whenever I don’t wear socks my feet always start to sweat. I thought it was normal and that the socks just absorbed it so I didn’t notice. Either way I always wear socks just because it feels so gross to have sweaty feet. Sometimes it keeps me up at night because I don’t sleep with socks on. I’ve never had a problem with the smell of them though. Weird.
stacy says
My daughter has had this for two years now. It started on her hands and feet when she was 9. last summer her hands cleared up. The sweating on her hands and feet got so bad that the skin would shed and start to bleed. Now, it is only on her feet.
Her skin is so sensitive that we can’t even put medication on her feet. We are getting no help any where and the dermatologist, pediatrician, keep telling us that same thing. and nothing is working. she walks on her knees at home to get around because she cannot walk on her feet. We are going to try an allergist next.
they say she has no fungal infection just by looking at it. She has been to 3 different dermatologist , 1 foot doctor, and her pediatrician. She is always feeling sick to her stomach and her feet cramp up. Her pain goes up through her legs. We don’t know where to go with this. No one is helping and we keep trying and she is not getting any better. This is getting worse and her feet always have cuts, or sloughing going on. We never find any loose skin either. It seems to just melt away. Does any one have any idea (she has been diagnosed with hyperhidrosis) not too sure if her diagnosis is correct.
Steven Clisch says
Since we’ve moved from down south to a cooler climate in Oregon, it has helped alot. My son doesn’t seem to have the symptoms anymore. Don’t know if it’s the cooler climate, or if he just out grew it.
Kristin says
I’m 20 years of age, and have spent those years hiding this condition fairly well. Both my hands and feet sweat constantly. My hands are the most obvious especially when I’m typing or writing something or just handling things through out the day. I never wore sandals before because sweat would bead on my toes and the backs of my feet. This past summer I bought a pair of sandals with a cloth like texture and let my feet air out. I too have noticed that it seems the hands and feet are connected when it comes to sweating. I also noticed that when I started wearing the sandals, the sweating calmed a bit and it was almost like I didn’t have the condition. Is there a special doctor for this condition that i can see?
lakeschia says
i have been dealing with feet sweating for quite some time. it is very embarrassing. i can literally smell my feet threw my shoes and i work in a office setting so can you imagine what i go through. i am always spraying deodorizers so that my co workers can’t smell my feet. and i have to put paper towels in my shoe and change them 5 times a day cause my feet are so wet! someone please help me!!!!!!!!!
joe bob says
had very good luck w/ soaking my feet in a small tub of apple cider vinegar in the morning after my shower
taylor says
i have been dealing with this problem the entire eighteen years i have been alive. I am currently on robinul, it seems to be controlling sweating a little… I have tried drysol and every chemical and even bought a $700 machine that sent electrical currents into me only to form blisters and irritated skin. I am only 18 and have to avoid many situations, cannot wear the shoes I want or even go to a nail salon. I seem to have no options please help me.
vanessa says
I also have a problem with my feet, they sweat, especially during work. I wear sandals and I always wipe them with a cloth; even worse, my feet sometimes smell bad because of the sweating. I don’t wear sandals in malls for I’m afraid the smell might be so overpowering that people will notice! Please Help.
Sam says
Natasha, I also experience a reduction in foot sweating as well as hand sweating when i am wearing socks. It’s confusing, you would think it would be the other way around, but my feet and hands sweat 10x more without socks. It seems like the hands and feet are connected.
This is a problem in the summer because i can’t be walking around with socks and sandals, although that would be much more comfortable in comparison to developing puddles in my flip flops. I don’t understand this – does anyone know why it gets better with socks?
k says
wow I’ve had this all my life. i didn’t know it was a diagnosed condition. it is so embarrassing! my feet, my hands, my arms – I’m currently thinking of only wearing black. i think i will go see a doctor
NATASHA ISSAC says
I’ve never heard any think like it, my 3 yr old son feet sweats when he is not wearing socks over a short period of time, i want to know if i should be concerned. my husband seems to think we should keep socks on his feet at all times, so that he would not get sick, even in the summer. what do you think.
Jane L says
Hi Steven,
Podiatry is branch of medicine concerned with the feet and a podiatrist is a health care practitioner who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of foot ailments, such as excessive sweating.
Jane L.
Steven Clisch says
Son’s feet get red, very hot, beads of sweat, wakes him up at night. What type of doctor should I make an appointment with.