
The following article brings forth the causes behind cold sweaty feet, along with some effective home remedies and medical treatments to cure the same.
There are a lot of people who are affected by cold sweaty feet, which can be quite an annoying condition. It can indeed be very discomforting, forcing a person to wear closed shoes so as to avoid the resultant smell from reaching others.
Smelly feet are often experienced by people who sweat a lot. Moreover, if hygiene is not maintained, there is always a possibility that toenail and other foot infections may develop. Sometimes, the affected person may also have an accident due to a slip. This is why, understanding the causes behind it and taking treatment for the same is of utmost importance.
Causes
In medical terms, sweaty feet condition is known as ‘Plantar hyperhidrosis’. It can be triggered by a number of factors, health conditions, and diseases. Here is a list of some of the most common ones:
- Genetics – Researches show that if a close family member experiences excessive sweating, the chances to develop this condition become manifold.
- In winters, it may be caused if a person always wears covered shoes. By doing this, he/she is not letting the extra water and fluids to escape the skin pores and sweat glands, thus resulting in this condition.
- Hormonal imbalances in the body can stimulate the sweat glands, resulting in this condition. A hyperactive thyroid gland and menopause in women, are also known to trigger the same.
- If a person is under some medication which does not suit him/her, it can produce side effects such as cold sweaty feet and hands.
- A person who is affected by stress and anxiety, may also experience excessive sweating all over his/her body, including the feet and hands.
- It can occur in chain smokers and alcoholics as well.
- Certain health conditions such as heart attack, heart diseases, leukemia, and lymphoma, may also cause it.
Treatment
There are both home remedies, as well as medical treatments available to cure the symptoms. Here are some tips that might prove beneficial to reduce this problem.
Maintain Hygiene
This is extremely important. Do not let sweat build-up on the feet, otherwise it can lead to bacteria infestation, resulting in smelly feet and foot infections. So, invest in a good medicated soap and wash the feet with it, thrice a day, that is, in the morning, evening, and before sleeping. In case, one is into some sports activity, he/she should make sure to wash their feet immediately after the same. This is to avoid the sweat from remaining on the feet for long.
Keep the Feet Dry
One should keep their feet dry as much as possible. One can carry a towel in their bag and wipe their feet with it, whenever he/she gets an opportunity to do so. Furthermore, dabbing on some talcum powder, every now and then, would also help with the same.
Wear the Right Shoes
Preferably wear an open footwear as it would keep the feet dry. Also, wear socks made of cotton and footwear in some breathable material, so that you do not sweat much.
Watch on the Diet
Maintain the right weight by eating a balanced diet. This would ensure that the body’s metabolism works properly and you do not sweat in excess. One should give up on foods such as onions, pepper, and garlic as these are known to increase the smell emanating from the feet, thus resulting in this problem.
Manage Stress
This condition when caused by stress, can be taken care of by undertaking stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises. So, one should incorporate these in his/her routine and become a little more organized, thereby reducing the stress.
Consult a Doctor
If it does not get cured by these home remedies, one should consult a doctor. For mild cases, the doctors generally suggest antiperspirants. Further, there are oral medications known as anticholinergic drugs, which can temporarily control the excessive sweating and hence, may be prescribed by the doctor for a short while.
Besides these, there is iontophoresis, a medical treatment in which electricity is passed through the sweat glands to reduce sweating, and botox injections as well. Both of these treatments are generally suggested in extreme cases of sweating. And finally, if nothing yields any result and the condition hampers the normal living of a person, endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) surgery is suggested. Through this surgery, the nerves responsible for excessive sweating are removed.
It is not a very serious condition and in most cases, with the above suggested home remedies, it can be kept under check. However, the severe cases should be addressed to a doctor immediately, in order to avoid any further complications.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.