It is known that humans can perspire around 0.5 lt in 1 hour, but we cannot perceive that amount because most of the liquid evaporates quickly. In conditions of hard work or intense exercise and heat, 3 or 4 liters can be produced in an hour.

However, there is no accurate answer to say how much your feet should sweat in 24 hours. The truth is that on the soles of the feet we have approximately 250,000 sweat glands, which are the reason why we sweat. This amount is much higher than in other parts of the body such as the forehead, armpits or palms of the hands. 

There are some normal reasons why the feet may sweat more than normal and they are:

-Extreme exercise/ hard work
-Hot weather
-Socks or shoes that do not allow feet breathing

But if you leave your footprints when walking barefoot or you can't wear your favorite crocs because your feet slip or if you feel your feet constantly wet for no reason, you may be suffering from a condition called hyperhidrosis which is the production of excessive sweating.

Sweating is a normal process and sometimes excessive sweating can be temporary. For example, at different stages of life in which the body undergoes changes, such as at an early age (7 to 10 years) or at puberty, due to hormonal development. Thus, it is a fairly common problem, but when this sweating is excessive for a long time (6 months or more) and when the patterns of it change- the color or smell- it is important to go to your primary care physician.

Common causes of sweaty feet

When sweating excessively on the feet, it is necessary to find out what is the root of this problem, and try to solve the external factors that produce it. Among the most common causes are the following:

Infections

If the cause is an infection, a diagnosis should be made to find out if it is bacterial or fungal. In both cases it will be solved by applying creams prescribed by a specialist. Avoid self-medicating since the reaction in the feet can be counterproductive and worsen the situation. It is better to go to a specialist and let him determine what will be the most appropriate treatment for each situation.

Hormonal Changes

When excessive sweating is due to endocrine changes, if you are going through such a stage, the symptoms and signs can be improve with antiperspirant and deodorants like Duradry.

Eating Habits

People who are performing a hyper-protein diet reflect changes in sweating. This is because excessive protein and lipid intake increases sweating. It is important to eat a balanced diet, and avoid products such as spicy, soft drinks, caffeine or tobacco. 

Other External Factors

There are factors that are triggers of sweat on the feet, such as stress, anxiety, weight gain or temperature changes.

Excessive sweating may also appear on the feet during the coldest months of the year, since the closed shoes and socks that are used can cause the foot not to perspire properly.

How to avoid sweaty feet?

There are small habits that can reduce these unpleasant sweat alterations.

1. Wash your feet daily and, above all, dry the area between the toes very well to prevent that moisture from leading to the appearance of fungi and bacteria.
2. Change your socks every day and, if your feet sweat a lot, even twice a day. In addition, it is convenient to invest in breathable materials.
3. Follow a balanced diet and hydrate.
4. Use daily deodorants especially for the feet.
5. Alternate shoes every day. 

Therapeutic Options to Solve Sweaty Feet

Tech advances and research help to expand the therapeutic range. So, we found these 3 solutions:

• Sympathectomy: It consists of blocking the local sympathetic nervous system of the area with Botox. This treatment usually lasts 6 to 8 months, so the therapy has to be repeated.
• Iontophoresis: It is performed with electric currents, favoring the entry of medications chosen by the professional.
• Surgery: It would be the final option and consists of drying the sweat glands of the area to be treated permanently. This technique is used in extreme cases.

 Home remedies to get rid of sweaty feet

1. Soak your feet in a salt or vinegar bath. To prepare the salt soak, dissolve half a cup of salt in a large bowl of warm water for about 10 to 20 minutes. To soak in vinegar, mix two parts water with one part vinegar in a large bowl of warm water for about 15 to 20 minutes once a week. Avoid using vinegar if there are open sores, scrapes and cuts.
2. Dry your feet thoroughly and apply cornstarch, foot powder, or antifungal talcum powder.
3. Wear clean socks making sure your feet are completely dry.
4. Wear absorbent socks made of natural fiber or acrylic that keep moisture away from your feet. Avoid wearing cotton socks, as they trap moisture, but do not remove it from the skin.
5. Keep your toenails short and clean.
6. Remove the hard skin from the soles of the feet, as it can get soaked and cause a bad smell.
7. Avoid tight shoes that do not allow air circulation.
8. Alternate the use of shoes daily to allow them to dry completely.

Can Sweat Reappear on your Feet after you Have Treated it?

As in any pathology, the problem can be solved, but it can reappear as there are certain triggers. One of them is the type of foot. For example, the cavus feet (feet with a lot of internal arch), usually have claw toes, being closer together and tighter, leading to greater friction and greater rubbing. Due to this, the temperature increases, the ventilation between them decreases leading to more sweating and maceration of the tissue, sometimes causing fungal infections such as athlete's foot.

In short, our recommendation is to follow these tips to avoid sweating problems, but it should be noted that transpiration is a normal and necessary process for people.