sweaty feet, foot perspiration, my feet sweat a lot

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Foot Sweat

1. Question:
I have been having a problem with the feet, summer or winter they sweat they have order, I have been buying new shoes, because they are ruined, I change the socks two times in a day; I use power about every two hours. I bought Dr. scholls inserts in the past and only use them once. Can your product help? Or do you know what else I can use; this problem is embarrassing the depressing.

Dr. Karpati's Answer:
Thank you for your E-mail. I am happy to give you advice on ways to control your sweaty feet problem, and from your e-mail, I can see why you are distressed! I am a big advocate of “try the simple stuff first”. My first recommendation is to try Summer Soles for these simple reasons:

1. Foot odor begins from the sweating and lingering of moisture on one’s feet. Summer Soles work to help control odor by dispersing away the wetness from your feet.

2. The sweaty feet you are describing are usually caused by the improper function of what is called the “sympathetic nervous system” which controls sweating of the feet. Though Summer Soles won’t keep your feet from sweating, they will make your feet feel drier by wicking the sweat away.

3. Summer Soles also acts as a barrier between your foot and the factory insoles of your shoes to help prevent deterioration of your shoes. This will allow to keep your shoes longer!

If you still have some foot odor, you can buy some tea bags; the stronger the better - seep a pot full of tea for about 5-10 minutes, let the tea cool down, pour it into a basin and soak your feet in the tea for 10 minutes. The tannic acid in tea helps to reduce foot odor! Soap and water will remove the tea stains on your feet. Do this daily, making a fresh pot every time, until you can see a podiatrist. There is a prescription for Formalyde-10 spray. This spray is designed for certain types of foot odor and it is as strong as it gets.



2. Question:
Hello, Is there a reason why this problem exists? In other words, can it be related to thyroid problems or any other disorders? Thank you!

Dr. Karpati's Answer:
Thank you for a very interesting question. Excessive sweating may indeed be a symptom of other medical conditions including hyperthyroidism, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, lymphoma, hypoglycemia, parasites, metabolic dysfunction, diabetes, liver disease, menopause and psychological disorders such as panic attacks. Some medications may also cause excessive sweating. In the cases where no causes are found, known as idiopathic or primary hyperhidrosis, overactivity of the nerves of the sympathetic nervous system, which send signals to the sweat gland of the skin, seems to be the culprit.




3. Question:
How do you know if you have Hyperhidrosis?

Dr. Karpati's Answer:
Simply put, your feet sweat A LOT! There are some patients I see with this problem who carry towel with them to pat their hands and/or feet dry and who have beads of sweat form on their feet within the first minute of my evaluation! Everyone has different extremes even in the realm of patients with this condition. There is a wonderful site created by the International Hyperhidrosis Society that has a wealth of information. Click here to visit their website.

Everyone’s feet sweat! The beauty of Summer Soles is that even with these different extremes, Summer Soles are able to keep your feet feeling dry and comfortable!



4. Question:
i hope u can help me....everyday i go o school with sport shoes ...we have to wear that because of the school rules ....i sweat alot from my feet ..i try to do a alot of things but it don't wrok for me ...i am alwayz sad n scared of going crazy with this issue ...i feel there is no hope everyday....i want to want should i do abt this problem i hope u can help soo bad because i have school tomorrow ...another bad day...plz help

Dr. Karpati's Answer:
Don’t despair! Summer Soles are here to help! Summer Soles will help absorb the sweat off your feet and socks to help keep you comfortable. They are your best first defense against sweaty feet and they really do work! Remember, all the sweat that has already gathered onto the soles of your shoes will make your feet smell bad. Summer Soles will add that layer of protection between your feet and the soles of your shoes! Next, try to always wear cotton or the newer athletic socks with your shoes. Nylon socks or no socks at all will make your feet sweat more and smell worse! Bring an extra pair of socks to school with you and change them mid way through school if possible. Also, try Dr. Smith's "Deodorizing Foot Wash" if your feet have a bad odor.



5. Question:
I've had a terrible problem with foot sweating and smelling for the past 15 years -- it originated at a hugely stressful time in my life and also occurred when I was having mercury removed from my teeth. Do you know what physiologic system is involved? Also, what can be done for the smell? I believe the smell is not just due to bacteria, but from release of toxins. Thank you very much for any response

Dr. Karpati's Answer:
I do not know for a fact that your problem is from a release of toxins but I would suspect that if toxins were a factor, then your foot odor would have decreased over the course of the past 15 years given that there is less in your system now. I do know that the odor from bacteria can be controlled by first drawing away the sweat from your feet so it does not stagnate. This can be accomplished effectively with Summer Soles. Next, be sure to change your socks often if you can (use cotton or the newer athletic synthetics) and avoid nylon sock at all cost as this will aggravate your situation. Another helpful product to control odor is Dr. Smith's Deodorizing Foot Wash. Thank you for your question!



6. Question:
My feet will tend to sweat all the time. Sometimes they is an odor depending what hosiery I am wearing. I know if I wear cotton fabric that should help, but that can't help when I wear heels. How can I minimize the odor? It's pretty embarrassing!

Dr. Karpati's Answer:
To get right to the point, first you need to cut down the sweat which causes the odor. You could not pick a better product than Summer Soles for this. Nylon is the WORST for making feet sweat so start “Summer Soleing” your shoes and sandals to help wick most of it away. Next, to help cut down on the odor, Dr. Smith's brand makes a product called “Deodorizing Foot Wash” which you can apply directly to your feet. If you still have problems, add a spritz of any underarm antiperspirant to your feet in the morning. Thanks for your question!



7. Question:
I have tried all kinds of treatment, powders, soaking two prescriptions, inserts, deodorants and nothing seems to work. What else can you recommend? This is such an embarrassment I can hardly stand to be around people. I need help! I wonder if acupuncture could help?

Dr. Karpati's Answer:
It really sounds like you have run the gamut of conservative treatment for hyperhidrosis! At this point, you make a very good candidate for botox injections in the feet. This is an extreme control for people who have tried EVERYTHING and still sweat excessively. I must warn you that these injections can be painful sometimes requiring as many as 50 per foot and only lasts for several months. The good news is that the majority of the people who have had this done are extremely satisfied despite the temporary discomfort and say it is worth the trouble! Final thought, while you research botox as an alternative, please go ahead and try some Summer Soles. At the very least, they will absorb and wick much of this moisture away and keep those feet feeling more comfortable! Best of Luck!



8. Question:
About a year ago my feet started sweating. I have never had a sweat problem prior to this. My feet sweat excessively and the odor they cause is literally aweful! They not only sweat extreme but they are hot like an oven as soon as i put socks and shoes on. They also have a burning sensation. This isnt a little isue it actually somewhat limits and controlls my life. it is the most uncomfortable, painfull and bothersome thing in my life. I have tried drysol and dryoff and they dont work at ALL. Please help me on what to do. Im considering Lumbar Sympethectomy.

Dr. Karpati's Answer:
Your symptoms do not sound like strictly like hyperhydrosis alone. The symptoms you are describing are seen in people with pedal neuropathy. Pedal neuropathy, easily put, is the slow death of the sensory nerves of the feet. This can be seen with various disease processes, most commonly diabetes. If you have a history of diabetes in your family and have never been tested, then I would not waste anytime in doing so. I suggest you also appoint with a neurologist who can test specific nerves to help eliminate nerve injury and neuropathy as causative factors. Good luck!



9. Question:
I'm 33 yrs young female.My soles have become very slippery & smooth,maybe 'cause of sweating.(i walk a lot,will be on my feet a lot).My knee hurts. Pl suggest me the shoes i should go for.

Dr. Karpati's Answer:
The type of shoe you need depends on what you are using the shoe for(walking for exercise vs. walking as part of your job vs. on your feet standing a lot in your occupation) and what foot type you have. These are separate issues than finding a shoe that will help alleviate the sweating. You would really need to have your feet examined by a podiatrist to determine what foot type you have and how this affects your gait. Shoes, especially athletic shoes, are made differently to meet the different foot types and problems. Given you also have knee pain, you may also want to be evaluated for possible functional orthotics. These are made custom to your feet to help correct abnormal gait and properly support your foot and ankle. Having a good “foundation” so to speak, is an important aspect of body alignment and joint function. For the sweating, besides Summer Soles, you may want to look into the Geox shoe. It is a breatheable shoe that has a patented system with a semi-permeable membrane that absorbs sweat, yet keeps water out!


Ask Dr. Karpati:
If you would like to ask Dr. Karpati a footcare or podiatry-related question, simply fill out the form here. The majority of questions are answered within a few days. Medical conditions are fact-dependent, so in addition to Dr. Karpati's insights, it is important you consult with your personal physician before undergoing any footcare treatment.

Dr. Adriana Karpati is a trusted Summer Soles Advisor and frequently tests Summer Soles products before they are brought to the public. Her practice is located in Grapevine, Texas. For more information, visit: www.faant.com