Hyperhidrosis Of The Feet: What Is It, Causes And Treatment

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Hyperhidrosis of the feet: treatment, prevention

The content of the article:

1. The reasons

   Reasons for the development of idiopathic hyperhidrosis

2. Symptoms

3. Treatment

   1. Drug therapy
   2. Foot baths
   3. Botox injections
   4. Iontophoresis
4. Complications
5. Prevention
6. Video

Hyperhidrosis of the feet - what is it? It is a pathology in which the patient develops excessive sweating in the lower extremities. This causes serious inconvenience and causes the development of various dermatological diseases.

Excessive sweating in the feet area is not only uncomfortable, but also a risk factor for the development of dermatological diseases

Treatment of hyperhidrosis of the feet is carried out with drugs that reduce sweating, or physiotherapy procedures.

The reasons

The cause of foot hyperhidrosis can be:

• infectious diseases (syphilis, tuberculosis, brucellosis, tonsillitis, HIV);
• tumors of the nervous system;
• diseases that cause disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system (hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus);
• changes in hormonal levels during puberty in adolescents, as well as in women during pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause;
• diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
• alcohol or drug withdrawal symptoms;
• taking medications (antibiotics, corticosteroids, antiviral drugs);
• trauma to the brain or spinal cord;
• diseases of the nervous system (Parkinson's disease, epilepsy);
• active physical activity;
• stressful situations;

Excessive sweating can be caused by:

• wearing low-quality shoes made of synthetic materials;
• wearing shoes that do not meet the weather conditions;
• physical exercise;
• violation of the rules for caring for the skin.

Reasons for the development of idiopathic hyperhidrosis

Some patients have idiopathic hyperhidrosis, which is caused by increased excitability of the sympathetic nervous system. In most cases, it is observed in blood relatives and is inherited.

Pathology occurs even in childhood and intensifies during puberty. Later, as we age, its symptoms diminish.

Symptoms

The fact that a person develops hyperhidrosis of the feet is indicated by a symptom such as increased sweating. The patient's feet are always wet, no matter what the temperature is or what kind of shoes he wears. Socks get wet all the time and need to be changed several times a day.

With hyperhidrosis of the feet, increased sweating is noted regardless of the quality of the shoes that a person wears

Another sign of ailment is the appearance of an unpleasant odor. Since high humidity creates favorable conditions for the development of bacteria and fungi, sweat begins to acquire an unpleasant odor, which cannot be eliminated with the help of hygiene procedures. Antiperspirants are only temporary.

The following symptoms indicate the presence of psychogenic hyperhidrosis:

• the sudden onset of the disease, which does not depend on the person's age, but on psychological trauma;
• reduction of sweating at night during sleep;
• increased severity of symptoms after excitement or stress.

If the cause of hyperhidrosis of the legs is a violation in the work of the autonomic nervous system, then the patient has wet, cold and pale skin and restless sleep all the time.

Treatment

When symptoms of the disease appear, it is necessary to consult a doctor who conducts a survey, prescribes appropriate studies, and takes a photo if necessary.

They clog sweat glands, help reduce sweating, and prevent unpleasant odors from spreading. But before using such funds, you need to consult a doctor.

Drug therapy

The following medications are used to treat hyperhidrosis:

• Teymurov's pasta. It contains sodium tetraborate, boric and salicylic acid, zinc, formaldehyde, lead and peppermint oil. The tool has antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and cooling effect. Apply the paste 2-3 times a day. It is applied to clean skin with a thin layer;
• Formidron. The solution contains formaldehyde and ethanol. The drug has a disinfectant and deodorizing effect. It is applied to the skin twice a day with a cotton swab. Also Formidron is used to treat footwear;
• Cream for 5 days. The product disinfects, dries, deodorizes and relieves inflammation. The cream contains polyethylene glycol, zinc oxide, glycerin, cetyl alcohol. The product is applied to cleansed and dry skin before bedtime. The course of treatment is 5 days.

Foot baths

In order to reduce foot sweating and prevent the development of fungal diseases, you can use herbal foot baths. In this case, have a good effect: oak bark, sage grass, walnut or eucalyptus leaves, calendula flowers.

An effective method of treatment is foot baths with herbal decoctions

A few tablespoons of dry raw materials are poured with three liters of water and boiled over low heat for 2–5 minutes. After the agent has been infused for an hour, it is poured into a basin into which the legs are immersed. The procedure can take 10-15 minutes. It must be carried out daily for 7-10 days. The effect of such procedures can be seen already on the third day.

Botox injections

This procedure is carried out in a beauty parlor. Botulinum toxin is injected into the subcutaneous fatty tissue. The substance blocks the nerve endings that innervate the sweat glands. This leads to the fact that in a certain area, sweating completely stops.

If necessary, botox is administered

Iontophoresis

Iontophoresis is a physiotherapeutic procedure, the essence of which is the effect on certain parts of the human body with a galvanic current of low strength and voltage.

With increased sweating, iontophoresis is indicated

Water is a good conductor of current, therefore the patient is offered to immerse the limbs in special baths with water, in which the electrodes are placed.

Under the influence of the current, the function of the sweat glands is disturbed and the secretion is disturbed. Dead cells of the epidermis clog the ducts of the sweat glands. The procedure lasts on average 20 to 40 minutes. The course of treatment is 5-10 procedures. They are carried out daily or every other day until the sweating decreases to the physiological level. The effect of iontophoresis lasts for a month.

The disadvantage of this method is that iontophoresis must be repeated regularly, while the cost of the procedure is quite high. In some patients, after its implementation, compensatory hyperhidrosis develops in other parts of the body.

Complications

The most common complication of pathology is mycosis. A fungus that develops and spreads with excessive sweating causes additional symptoms, such as:

• redness, itching, and flaking of the skin;
• cracks in the heels and between the toes.

Prevention

In order to prevent the development of the disease, it is necessary:

Risk factors	Recommendations
Footwear	You need to wear high-quality, comfortable shoes made from natural materials that allow air to pass through. Socks and tights should be made of natural fabrics that absorb moisture well
Lifestyle	You should eat right, get rid of bad habits, avoid stressful situations
Hygiene	Every day, at least twice a day, you need to wash your feet with warm water and soap

Hyperhidrosis of the feet can cause a lot of trouble, so its timely and adequate treatment plays an important role. If you cannot cope with the problem on your own, you need to seek advice from a therapist or dermatologist.

Video

We offer for viewing a video on the topic of the article.

Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author

Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".

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