Everyone has embarrassing moments. Some people are better at blocking them out than others. I remember some of my more embarrassing moments pretty well. I can even laugh about most of them.
It is harder to find those moments funny when they keep on happening. If you suffer from hyperhidrosis, those moments can happen regularly.
Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating. It is an embarrassing condition. There are two kinds of hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis is when a person experiences excessive sweating in the hands, face, armpits, and feet. This form can be a hereditary disease. If you have primary hyperhidrosis, the excess sweating is from your eccrine sweat glands. Guess what? Those are the majority of the glands in your feet, palms, face, and armpits.
Secondary hyperhidrosis is when you have excessive sweating everywhere on your body. This form is usually caused by a medical condition or some medicines.
Since we talk about feet here, let’s center on primary hyperhidrosis as it affects your feet. Here are some actions that you can take immediately.
Five tips to help with hyperhidrosis –
1. Take a look at your shoes. You need shoes made to let your feet breathe. Leather shoes are a good choice as are shoes that have mesh on the sides to let the air flow through. I am sure I don’t need to say it but no plastic shoes. I am sure you would never think of wearing plastic shoes, right?
2. Start off by making sure that you are wearing fresh shoes each day. What do I mean by that? I mean that you do not wear the same shoes two days in a row. A person without hyperhidrosis will produce ½ cup of sweat from their feet each day. Think about how much fluid that is going into your shoes when you aren’t sweating a lot. It is important to give your shoes a chance to dry out. It will help stop the growth of bacteria in your shoes (which is what makes them smell).
3. The next thing is your socks. The worst thing you can do is wear cotton socks. You need to wear socks that wick the moisture away from your feet. Once again this will help to control the bacterial growth. If you are not familiar with socks that will pull the moisture away from your feet, go to your local running store. They can tell you all about them. You should change your socks at least once a day.
4. You need to bathe your feet twice daily. Give them a good warm soak using anti-bacterial soap (which will help with the smell). Then rinse off with cold water. Dry your feet completely and apply an astringent like rubbing alcohol to your feet. Then a light dusting with talcum powder. I know this adds to your day but it could help you.
5. Call your friendly local podiatrist and make an appointment to discuss your hyperhidrosis issues. There are several treatments paths available and the two of you can find the one that is right for you.
Hyperhidrosis can be embarrassing. I hope that the steps listed above will help you. Your doctor will understand your desire to stop the problem as completely as possible.
Your Pal,
The Foot Blogger Chick