Treatment for Sweaty Feet

Sweating is natural and feet can sweat in both hot and cold weather. Feet tend to sweat more than other parts of the body as they contain 250 000 sweat glands. Good daily hygiene will keep feet from becoming smelly but even the cleanest feet can smell after a long day in shoes. It is also important to prevent athlete's foot and keep your feet fresh and comfortable.

Simple foot care tips to help keep feet fresh, dry and comfortable

• Daily or twice daily wash feet with soap and water or even an antibacterial soap. It is also important to dry feet thoroughly to avoid picking up fungal infections like Athlete's Foot.
• Always wear socks when wearing closed shoes or trainers.
• Wear 100% cotton socks in summer and 100% wool socks in winter. Avoid synthetic fibres which make feet perspire and can trap the moisture.
• Keep a spare pair of clean socks on hand if your feet perspire excessively and change into a fresh pair when needed. Never wear socks you have worn already, always wash socks before reusing.
• Use deodorized insoles which help absorb excess moisture and prevent foot odour.
• Avoid wearing the same shoes every day if at all possible and you do have a choice of shoes.
• Allow shoes to dry out thoroughly before wearing them again.
• If possible, try to wear real leather or breathable canvas shoes and not synthetic or plastic shoes which encourage feet to perspire. Bacteria and fungus that cause smelly feet and Athlete's foot thrive in sweaty environments.
• Ensure your shoes fit properly and are not too tight. Feet sweat more if they are tightly crammed into a shoe.
• Stay hydrated especially while exercising and in hot weather. This helps to regulate your body temperature and reduce perspiration.

In some conditions it is not easy to prevent feet from sweating which is completely natural but here are some suggested treatments:

• Washing feet is the simplest and cheapest way to treat sweaty feet. You may want to use an antibacterial soap.
• It may be an old wives’ tale but some people recommend soaking feet in warm black tea allowing the tannins in the tea to reduce the size of the pores in the feet which may reduce sweating.
• Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to sweaty areas on the foot and between the toes to dry them out but beware that excessive use may cause dryness and skin irritations.
• For an easy and cost-effective way to treat sweaty feet we recommend using Kroko Foot Powder at least once or twice a day after washing feet. This specially formulated powder contains zinc stearate and other active ingredients to assist in the absorption of moisture to keep feet dry and fresh.

Excessive sweating of the feet is a medical condition called hyperhidrosis which needs specialist treatment. If you are concerned that your feet sweat unnaturally, please consult a podiatrist or medical doctor who may recommend more intensive treatment which could include a course of Botox injections or medication. Usually, people with excessively sweaty feet also suffer from sweaty hands, face, and armpits and will need to be treated holistically.