Excessive Foot Sweating Causes
When it comes to plantar hyperhidrosis, otherwise known as excessive foot sweating, causes can vary from one patient to the next. But regardless of what the specific cause is, excessive sweating of the feet is a problem that is both uncomfortable and embarrassing. But because of the nature of how we protect our feet, excessive sweating in this area poses some additional problems not seen in other types of excessive sweating.
For example, someone who suffers from hyperhidrosis of the face is able to wipe away excessive sweat regularly, simply by caring a handkerchief or towel. But with excessive sweating of the feet, it’s not so easy to take off one’s shoes every 15 minutes or so to deal with the issue. Consequently, sufferers of plantar hyperhidrosis also tend to be very susceptible to fungal infections, plantar warts, and extreme cases of foot odor. These added issues make it nearly impossible to wear sandals, even in the summer time, and can make the odor bad enough to cause problems in intimate relationships.
Anxiety and Stress
Like most other forms of hyperhidrosis, among the most common excessive foot sweating causes are stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety have a powerful effect on the way the body normally operates. So powerful in fact, they can cause not only excessive sweating, but also facial blushing, rashes, high blood pressure, and even stroke and heart attack. Simply put, our bodies have been designed to take only so much physical and emotional punishment. As the stress and anxiety increase, so does body temperature; and with increased body temperature comes the possibility of excess perspiration.
While stress and anxiety need a partner in over active sweat glands in order to produce hyperhidrosis, in many people it is possible to control the hyperhidrosis by learning to deal with the stress and anxiety. In other cases, although dealing with the stress and anxiety may not completely eliminate excessive sweating, it can greatly reduce it. Even in cases where the disorder is caused by a systemic illness or other external factor, managing anxiety and stress will help relieve excessive sweating to some degree.
Systemic Diseases
Systemic diseases take their name from the fact that they affect the entire body rather than just one portion. A good example of a systemic disease and one that is known to cause excessive sweating, is type 2 diabetes. Interestingly enough, a good portion of type 2 diabetes sufferers who develop hyperhidrosis do so in their hands and feet. Science is not yet clear as to why this is, but nonetheless that’s the case.
When a systemic illness is either a single cause, or one of a number of excessive foot sweating causes, managing that illness usually helps alleviate the hyperhidrosis symptoms. Using diabetes as an example again, tightly regulating blood glucose levels also helps to regulate body temperature which in turn, can slow down the production of excess perspiration. When diabetes is not well managed hyperhidrosis can actually increase.
Clothing Related Causes
Believe it or not, for some people the type of clothing they wear is one of the main excessive foot sweating causes. For example, some individuals have sensitive skin on the feet which needs plenty of air in order to “breathe.” For people with this type of skin, wearing a heavy leather work boot can result in excessive sweating on a daily basis. The individual might experience socks that are saturated with sweat by the end of the work day without even knowing his boots are the culprit. Using a lighter, more breathable type of shoe may be the perfect solution in this case.
Allergic reactions to certain types of fabrics can also cause hyperhidrosis. Because socks and stockings are in immediate contact with skin for very long periods of time, an allergic reaction to the fabrics used in these items may be a problem for individuals who already have over active sweat glands. You’ll be able to tell if your excessive foot sweating is the result of such an allergic reaction by simply going without any type of footwear for a few days.
The good news in all of this is that there are several effective methods of dealing with plantar hyperhidrosis – from aluminum chloride medications to all natural solutions to surgical procedures. So regardless of your particular excessive foot sweating causes, you can find relief if you’re persistent about seeking out and trying his many treatments as needed to find one that works for you.
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