Soothing Sweaty Feet in Summer

One main reason why people opt for flimsy sandals and flip flops in summer is because they help keep feet cooler. They can really do a number on your foot arch though, and may leave you with nagging pain under your heel from plantar fasciitis. To avoid this, you’ll want to wear supportive shoes and sandals a good share of the time, so you need to follow some tips to soothe sweaty feet and feel more comfortable. Here are a few simple remedies to try:

• Wash your feet every day, and you might try one of those nylon shower poofs to gently abrade dry dead skin while you are at it. Then dry them completely. Some folks even blow a hairdryer on its coolest setting over the toe area, to make sure no moisture is left to provide an environment for fungi and bacteria.
• Roll on some antiperspirant—especially on the soles of your feet—to keep your feet from sweating.
• Sprinkle with foot powder to help absorb moisture and reduce odor produced by sweat-eating bacteria. If you struggle with repeated athlete’s foot infections, use an anti-fungal version on both your feet and your shoes.
• Wear cleans socks each day, of natural fibers that breathe or synthetic ones designed to wick moisture away from your skin.
• Don’t wear the same shoes as yesterday. Let each pair dry for at least 24 hours before putting them on again.
• Give your feet a cool soak at the end of the day to soothe them. Adding a half cup of vinegar per quart will help reduce perspiration.
• Wait with moisturizer until bed time, so you won’t be walking on slippery, damp feet and risk blisters as they slide around in your shoes. Then use it liberally at night while you are sleeping to counteract increased exposure to the dry summer air that can cause calluses.

If your feet are excessively sweaty, you could have a condition called hyperhidrosis. There are medications and other therapies that may help with this problem. We would be happy to examine your feet and diagnose what’s causing them to sweat so much. That will give us clues as to what remedies may be of the most help. Call Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists of Arizona if smelly, damp feet are an issue for you, and we’ll help you get to the bottom of it. You can schedule online or reach us at (480) 963-9000.