Summer is a great time to go hiking, to spend time at the beach (with sunscreen, of course), and to relax in the park, but with the warmer temperatures comes one particularly annoying problem: sweaty feet. Overly moist feet can be frustrating and embarrassing, especially if they start to stink, whether you're wearing hiking boots or flip-flops.
What's the deal with all that foot perspiration, anyway? According to Dr. Danielle DesPrés, "each foot contains a whopping 125,000 sweat glands," making them the most sweaty parts of the body by a wide margin. P M professor of medicine at New York University's College of Podiatric Medicine and a podiatric surgeon with board certification
Your feet sweat more in the warmer months because your body needs to release moisture to cool down from the elevated temperature. On the other hand, this is not just a summer problem; socks and shoes that trap heat are to blame for excessive perspiration at any time of year.
Additional Content from the Field of Preventive Medicine
Despite the fact that you may feel helpless in the face of this problem, you can take action to reduce your sweat production and maintain dry, cool feet by following the advice provided below.
1) Pick a pair of shoes that fit you well.
Strappy leather sandals, colorful rubber sneakers, and plastic slip-ons may be popular this summer, but they trap heat and make your feet sweat more than they already would. It's not necessary to completely rule out these materials if you want to keep your feet dry; however, you should look for ones that allow air to circulate.
What You Should DoDr. Nelya Lobkova recommends choosing sandals with minimal upper material for plenty of airflow, such as Havianas or Crocs, and sneakers with air mesh toppers. P M surgical podiatrist who established Step Up Footcare in New York City's Tribeca neighborhood She also recommends using cork or jute for the soles of your shoes because of the natural pores they have.
And make sure to give yourself some wiggle room
Shoes that are too small are not only unpleasant to wear, but they also increase the likelihood that your feet will become clammy and sweaty inside them. Dr. Andrew Weil warns that "if your toes are squished inside your shoes, that will reduce air flow to them and keep the temperature higher, especially between your toes." DesPrés Make sure your feet have plenty of room to move around in your shoes so they don't turn into a steamer.
Three, stock up on moisture-wicking socks
Cotton socks are ubiquitous, but they may be doing more harm than good because they can't handle moisture without becoming and remaining drenched, according to Dr. DesPrés Wool socks, she says, are the best bet for keeping feet cool and dry in the summer despite the fact that the idea is counterintuitive because wool naturally wicks away moisture. Socks made of merino wool or synthetic blends are the best option for keeping your feet dry. Clothes from Smartwool, Darn Tough, PEDS Coolmax, and R-Gear Drymax are suitable options.
4. Always have a spare pair of socks on hand
Gary A. Pichney, D.P.M. recommends keeping an extra pair of socks on hand in case you start to get sweaty and unpleasant foot odor midway through a particularly hectic workday. a podiatric surgeon who is board-certified and works at Baltimore's Mercy Medical Center's Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction
5. Swap out your footwear
It's summer, and everyone has a favorite pair of sandals or flip-flops. Unfortunately, those frequently worn shoes are a breeding ground for the fungus that leads to smelly, sweaty, and itchy feet. Treat yourself to an extra pair of tennis shoes and sandals, and rotate them in and out every day to keep your feet dry and odor-free. Dr. Steve Silverman recommends switching to new shoes every few days so that your old ones can properly dry out. DesPrés
Buy a shoe dryer, number 6.
Consider investing in a shoe dryer if your feet are constantly drenched from trail runs or pick-up soccer games (and you need them, like, tomorrow). Dr Pichney has a personal preference for the Peet Electric Shoe and Boot Dryer. To treat shoes that tend to retain moisture, he says this is "a fabulous way."
Seven, use a foot powder
There are a variety of over-the-counter remedies for this problem, including deodorants and talc-free foot powders, which Dr. Lobkova The Arm & Hammer Foot Powder, which is made with a potent blend of baking soda and cornstarch, comes highly recommended.
The eighth sigh of relief
Dr. Scholl recommends picking up some antiperspirant from the pharmacy (we like Certain-Dri), labeling the bottle "feet," and applying it to the soles of your feet, in between your toes, and the insides of your shoes if you suffer from excessive perspiration. Pichney While it may feel strange at first, common antiperspirants work by blocking sweat ducts with metallic salts, preventing sweaty feet from ever forming. If that isn't enough, your doctor may recommend a stronger antiperspirant, such as Drysol.
Count your fluids. 9.
It's easy to forget to hydrate during the warmer months, and then you end up sweating even more than usual to keep your body temperature down, as Dr. Lobkova Keep a large water bottle handy and drink from it whenever you feel thirsty; eight glasses per day is a good rule of thumb, but the exact amount of water you need can vary greatly depending on what you're doing and the temperature outside.
10 - Seek Expert Assistance
You may have hyperhidrosis, a medical condition that causes excessive sweating, if your socks are drenched even though the air conditioning has been on all day or if you leave wet footprints wherever you go. Almost five percent of the global population suffers from hyperhidrosis, but it can be treated with a variety of methods, including Botox injections, topical medications, and prescription-strength antiperspirants. in all seasons, as documented by the International Hyperhidrosis Society
With your help, we can produce the highest quality content for our readers. To receive 12 FREE gifts with your Prevention subscription, click here. Subscribe to our FREE newsletter for daily tips on health, nutrition, and exercise.
This is Lauren Krouse1Lauren Krouse.
Freelance writer Lauren Krouse focuses on topics like health, domestic violence, and advocacy. _Women's Health, _Men's Health, Prevention, Self, HuffPost, and other publications regularly feature her articles. When she's not writing, she's probably practicing meditation, lifting weights, or taking a hike through the woods with her partner and black lab.
