Hyperhidrosis

Are your shoes and socks soaking wet when you remove them?
Do unsightly dark marks often appear under your arms, staining shirts and making you feel embarrassed? If so, you may be suffering from hyperhidrosis, a condition characterized by excess sweating in the hands, feet, armpits and/or groin region.

Hyperhidrosis is not dangerous to your health, but can create an environment for the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungus, which can in turn produce such infections as athlete's foot or yellow, crumbly, thick toenails (toenail fungus). It's important to help your feet stay cool, such as through specialty socks with fibers designed to keep perspiration away from the foot, to guard against these types of ailments.

While perspiration is normal and healthy, hyperhidrosis occurs when you have overactive sweat glands, which produce more than enough sweat to keep your body cool.

In some cases, hyperhidrosis can be the result of other more serious health conditions. If you think you might have hyperhidrosis, discuss the problem with your physician.

Additional common causes include:

• Excessive anxiety
• Various skin diseases such as fungal or bacterial infections
  or contact dermatitis

Everyone's feet perspire during exercise or in warm weather. You know you have hyperhidrosis, however, if excessive sweating becomes a chronic condition that occurs year round – even when you are not engaged in strenuous activity.

Try these tips to relieve hyperhidrosis:

• Keep your feet clean and dry
• Shower regularly with anti-bacterial soap
• Use foot powders and sprays specifically designed to keep
  feet dry.
• Use anti-perspirants regularly.
• Change your shoes and socks often.
• Rotate your shoes (especially athletic shoes).
• Use removable insoles that can be changed frequently to
  allow them to dry out.
• Wear sandals during warm weather.
• Wear socks that specifically provide cool comfort

Recently, doctors have started using Botox to curb hyperhidrosis symptoms. According to WebMD.com, some people have found that one Botox treatment can provide up to a year's relief from excessive sweating.

If the condition persists, and excessive sweating is also a problem in other areas of your body, please consult a physician.

This information on foot, leg and lower body health conditions is provided by The Podiatry Institute, dedicated to advancing the standard of care in podiatric medicine and its effects on musculoskeletal health. The Podiatry Institute does not endorse a specific treatment, product, or therapy. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider on all matters relating to this or any other condition that may affect your health.