A welcome solution for sweaty feet

1st September 2023
Botox, Hyperhidrosis (sweating)

Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating when the body doesn’t need to be cooled down naturally.

It occurs in various parts of the body, including the head, underarms, groin and hands. It is also very commonly experienced on the soles of the feet.

So, if you have ever asked “Why do my feet sweat so much?”, plantar hyperhidrosis could be the reason.

The facts about hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis often has no obvious cause. It is believed to be the result of an issue with the part of the nervous system that controls sweating. This type is known as primary hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis that has an identifiable cause is called secondary hyperhidrosis. The triggers can include:

pregnancy and the menopause
anxiety
certain medications
low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
infections.

Plantar hyperhidrosis (hyperhidrosis affecting the feet) is often accompanied by sweating of the palms.

If you experience any type of hyperhidrosis, it’s important to tell your GP in case it is an indicator of an underlying condition.

Certain times of the year can also impact the severity of hyperhidrosis, it may become more pronounced during the late spring and summer months.

Hyperhidrosis can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. When it becomes a source of anxiety, it can also interfere with your quality of life.

Excessive feet sweating can also lead to other issues such as unpleasant odour, peeling feet, sweat rash, athlete’s foot, and fungal nail infection.

Treatments for plantar hyperhidrosis

At home remedies

If you have searched for ‘how to stop feet sweating’, you’ll be aware that there are several ways to manage the effects of hyperhidrosis at home.

These approaches include:

Practising good hygiene and washing your feet thoroughly at least once, ideally twice, each day will help with freshness.
Over-the-counter antiperspirants can be used on any part of the body, including the feet. Foot powders can help to manage sweating and its effects.
Soap substitutes can be gentler on the skin.

Lifestyle considerations

Keeping your body cool will naturally reduce its overall need to sweat. Clothes made from natural rather than manmade fibres are preferable.

Socks that absorb moisture are helpful, along with changing your socks during the day, where practical.

Leather shoes allow the feet to breathe. Wearing different shoes day to day will also help to keep footwear fresh.

Certain triggers can aggravate hyperhidrosis, therefore working out whether this is something that contributes to your sweating can help. Triggers might include drinking alcohol and eating spicy or strong-smelling foods.

Stress can also be a factor, so trying to minimise stress may help (although this is sometimes easier said than done!).

Botox treatment for plantar hyperhidrosis

Botox is a widely recognised way to help manage hyperhidrosis, and this is something that we can provide.

Botox works by reducing ability of the nerves to send signals to the sweat glands. This significantly reduces the production of sweat.

This treatment is effective for primary hyperhidrosis sufferers. For those with secondary hyperhidrosis, the results can vary. Our expert practitioners will thoroughly assess treatment suitability during your consultation.

Botox isn’t a cure for hyperhidrosis, so regular treatments (usually every three to six months) will be required to maintain the benefits. However, it is a safe and effective way of managing the condition.