Foot sweating - how to deal with it in summer?

Nobody likes unpleasant foot odor. In the summer, foot sweating may intensify, and while this is completely natural, some of our actions can increase sweating, while others can reduce it.

The intensity of the odor or sweating itself is very individual, but if you are struggling with excessive foot sweating or have an unpleasant smell of sweat, in this article, we will suggest which aspects of the problem to address.

First of all, you need to remember that sweating is a natural process that occurs in every human being. Its main purpose is to cool the body, which is why there is more activity of sweat glands in the summer. In some areas of the body, the number of sweat glands is higher – around the armpits, hands, feet, but also around the head and face.

Interestingly, sweat itself is odorless, but when it comes into contact with bacteria present on the skin, an unpleasant smell develops. As you can see, right from the start, it is clear that hygiene plays a very important role. The feet have the least access to air (especially if you wear low-quality shoes), which promotes bacterial growth and, consequently, the secretion of unpleasant-smelling sweat.

Excessive foot sweating - where does it come from?

Another important element to understand is the concept of where excessive sweat gland activity actually comes from. Why might one person sweat less while another sweats more, even if they are wearing the same shoes?

"This is just how they are," or genetic and natural causes of excessive foot sweating

As mentioned, the sweating process itself is completely natural. Some people may have more sweat glands on their feet, exercise more often, etc. What influences excessive sweat production?

exercise, running, sports,
excessive stress,
hormonal disorders,
systemic diseases,
neurological diseases,
genetics,
diet rich in spicy foods,
strong coffee,
alcohol.

All of these can cause increased sweating. Similarly, genetic conditions and the structure of our feet play a significant role. There is no way that every person has exactly the same number of sweat glands.

Don’t overload your feet – pay attention to shoes and socks!

One of the most effective ways to prevent unpleasant odors is to choose the right socks and footwear. What do you think will happen to your feet if they’re practically "cooking" all day in low-quality materials/plastics that don’t breathe?

That’s why we recommend (and produce our shoes) from several materials:

natural leather, which allows air circulation and lets the feet breathe,
vegan leather, which works the same way and is perfect for people who don’t want to use animal products,
microfiber, a material that perfectly lets air through and gives "a second breath" to any shoes it’s used in,
socks with the highest percentage of cotton to avoid irritating the feet with unpleasant materials.

By following these principles when purchasing shoes, you can be sure that the problem of sweaty feet will be reduced. At Magical Shoes, we produce footwear exclusively from materials that are healthy for your foot's skin, so don’t hesitate to visit our store.

Can excessive sweating result from poor foot hygiene?

You can probably guess the answer to this question – since bacteria largely contribute to the unpleasant odor of sweat, poor hygiene can also increase sweating. Blocked pores, oily skin that doesn't breathe, dry skin that the body tries to protect – all of this affects sweating. Balancing this might seem difficult, but don’t worry – it only sounds that way. In most cases, regular foot washing, "airing" your shoes, and wearing clean socks will help reduce sweating. If you haven’t been doing this, it’s worth taking a look at your foot care routine. While sweating may not be a major problem yet, poor hygiene can lead to conditions such as foot fungal infections.

From time to time, it’s worth changing the insoles in your shoes or using special disinfecting products for your footwear. This helps prevent the growth of bacteria and, consequently, reduces the chances of unpleasant odors. Additionally, your shoes will last much longer because they won’t be damaged by moisture, dirt, or bacteria. Foot hygiene, as well as overall body hygiene, is essential!

It's also worth noting that a diet high in processed foods can contribute to increased sweating. The body works hard to process it, which increases effort and causes excessive sweating in the armpits, feet, and other parts of the body.

Antiperspirants – miracle or gimmick?

Antiperspirants work on a very similar principle. Their goal is to block sweat glands, which in theory reduces sweating. Why in theory?

It all really depends on the product you’re using. In many cases, if we use a product with a poor composition (cheap or with a lot of chemicals), we may only worsen the situation. The temporary relief will cause the body to try to make up for it later.

In some extreme cases, aesthetic medicine treatments are used, where substances are injected under the skin. This paralyzes the sweat glands for some time, at least until the body dissolves the treatment. Even after the substance dissolves, many people report reduced sweating, which is why this procedure may be a solution for people who sweat excessively.

You can also find tablets in pharmacies, which usually aim to support kidney function and reduce stress, which can also help reduce sweating. However, their effectiveness is highly individual.

Foot sweating – what can you do?

If you want to reduce foot sweating or eliminate unpleasant odors as much as possible, you can:

Pay more attention to your diet, such as eating as little processed food, fast food, and limiting alcohol and other substances.
Take better care of your foot hygiene, for example, using soap suitable for your skin type. Remember, more doesn’t always mean better – it all depends on the condition of your skin. Daily washing of your feet with the right product will yield noticeable results!
Take care of proper footwear and socks – high-quality, breathable materials will help reduce sweating.
In case of emergency, consider a suitable procedure.

As we’ve mentioned several times, foot sweating is a very individual issue, so you’ll need to test what action works best for you.

How to treat excessive sweating?

There are several methods for treating excessive foot sweating (in addition to the ones mentioned earlier).

Treatment should be tailored by a specialist, in this case, a podiatrist. Generally, treatment can start with pharmacological agents, such as special foot care products. If necessary, the podiatrist will also remove any calluses and provide useful information on foot care.

Another option is iontophoresis, a treatment that uses electricity to reduce the activity of sweat glands. The affected ion channels in the glands reduce the amount of sweat produced. The effect can last up to two years, but it requires several sessions.

Another type of treatment is botulinum toxin injection, which blocks the nerves around the sweat glands. After this treatment, excessive sweating usually stops for at least a few months.

If you don’t want to undergo treatments, we encourage you to explore barefoot shoes, where your feet can really breathe.