Causes
Sweaty feet are caused either by excessively large sweat glands, which can produce more sweat, by increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which then stimulates the sweat glands located on the foot too much, or by incorrect footwear, which does not allow the foot to get rid of sweat and instead accumulates it on the foot. The places on the sole of the foot and in the spaces between the toes are particularly predestined for this, because in the spaces between the toes, when skin lies on skin, the sweat can easily accumulate and on the sole of the foot, as on the palms of the hands, there is so-called inguinal skin, which has a special type of sweat glands. Unlike the sweat glands of the rest of the skin, these are supplied by a vegetative nerve, in the case of the sympathetic nerve.
The sympathetic nerve stimulates the sweat glands especially when there is a stress situation or a certain exertion. These processes are due to a pathological overactivity of the vegetative nervous system. In addition, improper footwear and stockings made of synthetic materials, such as nylon, can also cause sweaty feet, especially the associated sweat odor. The problem here is that the sweat produced cannot evaporate or be released in any other way and then accumulates in the shoe.
Therapy
In the therapy of sweaty feet, the first step is to differentiate between sweaty feet that have an organic cause, such as increased activity of the vegetative nervous system and enlarged sweat glands on the feet, and the second step is the form of sweaty feet caused by wearing airtight shoes and stockings. For the latter, it is recommended for therapy to wash the feet every evening and then dry them carefully. Foot baths with additives such as sage can also help.
In addition, you should go barefoot as often as possible, which is more suitable for the summer. Otherwise, care should be taken to wear cotton stockings and that the footwear is sufficiently breathable or at least has enough time to air out after wearing it. S teck an overfunction of the sympathetic nerves behind the sweaty feet, active substances can be applied from the outside to the affected area of the foot, especially to the sole and the spaces between the toes, which should prevent excessive perspiration.
These include aluminum chloride, which is often found in antiperspirants.A so-called “tap water iontophoresis” can also be used in the therapy of sweaty feet. Drug therapy mainly targets the vegetative nervous system, or more precisely the blockage of the sympathetic nerve, as this stimulates the sweat glands too much. However, various psychotropic drugs are also used to reduce sweaty feet.
Before taking them, it is essential to consult a specialist doctor. As an alternative to taking medication, the injection of Botox to the causative sweat glands is a temporary but effective measure in therapy. If all of this does not have a sufficient effect, an operation to relieve the sweaty feet can be considered.
In this case, either parts of the glands can be removed completely or the supply of the sympathetic nerve to the sweat glands can be cut. Primarily, however, one will try to treat the sweaty feet through the non-operative measures. Since orthodox medicine only offers some drugs with many side effects for the treatment of sweaty feet, many affected people also like to resort to homeopathy.
The point of attack of the homeopathic remedies are mainly the sweat glands themselves. The remedy “Calcium carbonicum“, which is extracted from oysters, is said to be particularly effective against sweaty feet. It is also usually well tolerated by children.
Salvia officinalis”, the sage, is also used to treat sweaty feet. In addition, there are other homeopathic remedies, such as Silicea Silicea, No. 11 of the Schüßler salts, which is often used in the D12 dosage and is also used to strengthen the connective tissue.
Homeopathic remedies usually have a good effect, have few side effects and should be taken regularly for a long time for effective treatment. A specialist must decide which homeopathic remedies are suitable overall and individually and in which dosage they should be taken. It is therefore highly recommended to consult a homeopath or a physician, as further complementary measures, such as foot baths and the like, for the treatment of sweaty feet can also be discussed.
