Stop The Sweat

Plantar, or pedal, hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating of the feet.

Features

It is characterised by feet that often will drip sweat. The sheer amount of sweat that collects in the confined area of a shoe results secondary problems.

Difficulties

Due to the modern way of living, people with plantar hyperhidrosis suffer especially badly. The secondary problems that they can get include bad odors of the feet, athlete’s foot, fungal toenail and blisters.

Although one might think that sandals could help and allow better air circulation, this does not prevent the sweating and they are actually quit dangerous due to becoming slippery. Furthermore, many sufferers sweat so much that it is not safe to drive for fear of their feet slipping on the pedals.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is commonly seen at the same time as palmar hyperhidrosis.

Treatments

Initially, the patient should try to create as kind an environment for the feet. This means wearing real leather shoes (not plastic) with good ventilation. Foot powders can help, as can regular changing of socks and shoes.

Next, a prescription antiperspirant like Drysol can be applied to the feet. This has a high success rate at controlling the sweating.

If the above measures do not work then iontophoresis can be used. This is the application of a small electric current to the feet. It is not painful, only “prickly”, and is very effective for this type of excessive sweating. As many people also have sweaty hands then the procedure can also be applied for the hands at the same time as the feet.

Alternatively, botox could be used. However, it is not recommended and in many countries it is not licensed for use on the feet. Apparently, the multiple injections on the feet are said to be very painful.

As a last resort, ETS may be considered. This is a method where specific nerves are cut to prevent the targetted areas from sweating by preventing nerve signals which activate it. However, it is generally not as effective for plantar hyperhidrosis compared to palmer for instance. Also it is not approved by the FDA. Additionally, the success rate is low (less than 50%) and it is highly controversial. And in men, it can even lead to retrograde ejaculation which is ejaculation of semen into the bladder.