Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and stores are full of pink and red hearts. Whether you enjoy the holiday or dread it every year, most people consider it to be a romantic night and a chance for a fun date with a spouse or significant other. Some find pulling off a romantic Valentine’s date nerve-wracking, though, and sweat at the thought! Excessive perspiration is unpleasant for everyone, and sweaty toes can lead to embarrassingly smelly shoes later. Thankfully, you can minimize your foot sweat.

Feet naturally perspire quite a bit. There are hundreds of thousands of sweat glands on your lower limbs. It’s actually a healthy part of your foot function. However, excessive sweating can be a problem. Not only can it contribute to unpleasant foot odors, but it can lead to skin problems and increase your risks for fungal infections.

There are ways to help minimize sweaty toes and their side effects, of course. Here are a few ways you can limit excessive foot sweat:

• Hygiene – Wash and thoroughly dry your feet every day. Make sure you take a towel to all areas of your feet, especially in between your toes. This helps remove old sweat from your feet.
• Antiperspirant – Spray or rub antiperspirant on your feet before putting on any footwear. This is a simple way to help reduce some sweating.
• Sock Choice – Wear socks that breathe well and are made from materials that wick moisture away from your skin. Use a fresh pair of socks every day, and bring along an extra pair to change into if you’re active and sweating more than normal.
• Shoe Choice – Wear footwear made from materials that allow air to circulate around your lower limbs. Avoid rubber or plastic, since these trap heat and only contribute to sweaty toes. Natural materials like leather or synthetic mesh are better.

Occasionally home care isn’t enough to alleviate excessive foot perspiration. There are some medical treatments available, though our staff at Carolina Podiatry Group will have to determine if you need them. Just know you don’t have to struggle with sweaty toes alone! See how we can help. Use our web request form or call to make an appointment at our South Carolina offices: (803) 548-FEET for our Indian Land office, or (803) 285-1411 for our Lancaster location.