Plantar Hyperhidrosis: More Than Just Sweaty Feet

Have you found yourself dealing with excessive sweating in your feet, even when you have indulged in little physical activity or exercise? If so, you might be suffering from a condition known as Plantar Hyperhidrosis or in simpler words, sweaty feet. 

If you’re interested in knowing more about this condition, read on till the end as we provide a detailed guide on plantar hyperhidrosis, its causes, and symptoms, as well as different ways to treat or manage the condition.

What is Plantar Hyperhidrosis?

The simplest way to describe plantar hyperhidrosis is that it’s a disorder where your feet sweat more than they normally should. People suffering from this disorder will have a hard time dealing with soggy socks and may have difficulty wearing shoes for longer periods. 

sweaty socks

As such, it can hamper the daily lifestyle and routine of individuals and make it extremely difficult to perform extensive physical activities.

Symptoms of Plantar Hyperhidrosis

The primary symptom of plantar hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating in the feet. In most cases, it affects both the feet equally, and the sweating continues throughout the day and stops when the person is asleep. Other symptoms include strong and unpleasant odor due to the sweat. 

foot odor

Plantar hyperhidrosis can even cause the feet to sweat during cold weather. The onset of plantar hyperhidrosis begins from a young age, especially during the adolescence period.

What Are the Causes of Plantar Hyperhidrosis?

People affected by plantar hyperhidrosis have hyperactive sweat glands which is what causes excess and abnormal sweating. Two probable causes of sweaty feet are:

  • Heredity, as quite a lot of cases of sweaty feet disorder have been traced back to genetics and family history.
  • Physical, mental, or emotional stress

But in most cases, there are no known causes for the onset of plantar hyperhidrosis. Although rare, sweaty feet may also be caused by an underlying medical condition in a few cases. Medical examination and diagnosis by a doctor are required to know the exact cause of sweaty feet in an affected individual.

Is Plantar Hyperhidrosis Dangerous?

Plantar hyperhidrosis is not fatally or seriously dangerous by itself. Most people suffering from this condition face a lot of inconvenience in their day to day lives but that does not pose any danger to them. 

However, sweaty feet disorder can lead to the development of more dangerous foot conditions which are explained in the next section.

What Can Untreated Plantar Hyperhidrosis Lead To?

Plantar hyperhidrosis may not be very dangerous but if it is left untreated, it can cause further complications and give rise to other conditions. Most of these conditions are either bacterial or fungal infections. Such infections thrive in a moist atmosphere and excess sweat production creates a suitable environment for bacteria and fungus to grow. 

foot fungus

Some of the common foot conditions that may arise from untreated sweaty feet disorder are:

  • Athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the feet which causes itching, rashes, blisters, and may even lead to ulcerations.

  • Toenail fungus

If excess sweat leads to the growth of fungus in your feet, they can enter under your toenails and lead to toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis. It can cause the toenails to thicken which may be painful, the nails can get discolored, and in worst cases, the nails may even begin to leave the skin.

Apart from these two conditions, sweaty feet can also lead to other bacterial infections, itching, and rashes on the different areas of the feet.

Home Treatment of Sweaty Feet

There are many ways to manage plantar hyperhidrosis at home, with the help of certain sweaty feet products, and by making different lifestyle changes. A wide range of products that can help to treat and manage sweaty feet are explained below.

sweaty feet

Foot Antiperspirants

Foot antiperspirants are topical lotions designed to stop the formation of excess sweat. There are many antiperspirants available in the market but not all of them are reliable or work as intended. That is why we have handpicked one of the most efficient foot lotion antiperspirants for you.

Carpe Antiperspirant Foot Lotion

Developed by dermatologists, Carpe antiperspirant lotion has been applied by many users who have vouched for its effectiveness. For best results, it must be applied at least two times a day. 

The good thing is that it’s comfortable to apply this lotion as it isn’t thick and greasy. It also includes some amount of eucalyptus oil which gives it moisturizing properties. It’s a winner!

Foot Deodorants

A common problem for people with sweaty feet disorder is a bad odor due to excessive sweating. And using a foot deodorant is an effective solution for this problem. Here’s our recommendation for one of the best deodorants for plantar hyperhidrosis.

Natural Mint Shoe Deodorizer, Foot Deodorant Spray

The natural mint deodorizer is made of organic ingredients such as peppermint, thyme, eucalyptus, and tea tree. You can apply it directly on your feet as well as inside your shoes and its regular application will significantly reduce the bad odor produced by sweaty feet. Since it doesn’t have any chemicals, so it can also be used on sensitive skin. 

Foot Inserts

Another option to manage sweaty feet disorder, especially when wearing shoes, is by using foot inserts. These are usually insoles to be placed inside the shoes and are made of materials with sweat absorption properties. Here’s our pick of some of the best shoe inserts for sweaty feet.

Pedag Washable Summer Pure Cotton Terry Barefoot Insole

Pedag Summer is a shoe insole that is made of terry cotton, a material known to be excellent at absorbing sweat. With a soft texture and latex pads placed between two layers of terry cotton, these soles are extremely comfortable and easy on the feet. 

Of course, you can’t wear socks while using these inserts but they do a great job at keeping your feet dry when wearing shoes. They are easily washable after each use which keeps them fresh. 

Zederna Cedar Wood Shoe Insoles

Zederna insoles consist of two layers – a layer of cedarwood sole and a layer of cotton. Cedarwood is excellent at absorbing moisture and sweat and it also has a pleasant smell. So these insoles not just absorb sweat but also reduce bad odor and prevent smelly feet. 

The cedarwood insoles can be used daily if dried between uses. Zedarna insoles are also available in multiple standard sizes.

Socks

Similar to shoe inserts, certain socks that are made of sweat absorbing materials can also be used to manage sweaty feet while wearing shoes. Normally, you’d have to browse through hundreds of products to figure out what type of socks are best for sweaty feet.

So to make things easier, we picked one of the best products for you.

Quarter Athletic Socks for Men & Women

These quarter socks are unique as they are made of Prolen which is a synthetic material with high breathability and sweat absorbing properties. They also have anti-friction areas in the heel and toe regions. The socks are certified to be free from harmful external agents. Due to the light and soft nature of the fabric, they are very comfortable to wear even for extended periods. 

Shoes For Sweaty Feet

Along with the application of lotions, deodorants, and foot inserts, people suffering from plantar hyperhidrosis must also make changes in their choice of footwear. Ideally, the best shoes for plantar hyperhidrosis are those which are breathable and have enough space to make room for foot inserts or insoles. 

Keeping that in mind, we have carefully chosen a list of suitable shoes for people affected by sweaty feet disorder.

Men’s Shoes For Plantar Hyperhidrosis

Skechers Men’s Equalizer Double Play Slip-On Loafer

Skechers Men’s loafers are made of perforated mesh fabric so there is room for airflow. The overall fitting is wide enough and even the toe region is quite spacious. The synthetic sole in these shoes is comfortable on their own but there is plenty of space to fit in additional inserts as well. 

Under Armour Men’s Kilchis Sneaker

Made by the reputed manufacturers Under Armour, Kilchis sneakers have a neat design. The upper area is made of lightweight and premium quality textile material. The synthetic sole present in these shoes is also useful in absorbing the pressure, and the shoes themselves are wide enough to allow airflow. Due to high breathability, the sweat produced by your feet will eventually. 

Women’s Shoes For Plantar Hyperhidrosis

TIOSEBON Women’s Athletic Walking Shoes

These athletic shoes are made of high-quality textile while the soles are made of synthetic rubber. The upper part of these shoes has plenty of small pores which is more than enough to keep the air flowing. The overall fit of these shoes is elastic and flexible so it will be easy to accommodate any inserts in the shoes.

UIN Blossom Women’s Fashion Floral Art Sneaker

UIN Blossom sneakers provide a perfect combination of style and comfort. These are slip-on sneakers without laces and they have a wide toe region. Made of microfiber material, the top part of these shoes are highly comfortable. Thanks to its open design, these sneakers are airy and breathable which makes them a great casual wear for people with sweaty feet. They are available in four different floral patterns and various standard sizes. Very cute!