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The Dangers of Sweaty Feet — and How to Stay Dry This Summer
While a little foot sweating is perfectly normal, it can be uncomfortable, embarrassing and — let’s be honest — pretty stinky. Yet, with warmer weather and more reasons to be outside, dealing with damp feet will become a more frequent problem, especially for runners and hikers.
In addition to causing unpleasant odors, foot sweat can also lead to health problems, like athlete’s foot and toenail fungus. And, as any runner will tell you, excess moisture in your socks is a tried and true recipe for blisters.
But there’s no reason you have to resign yourself to a lifetime of sweaty feet. In fact, there are several steps you can take to limit sweating and keep your feet cool and dry this summer.
5 Tips for Managing Sweaty Feet
Use antiperspirant
Did you know each of your feet have 125,000 sweat glands? That’s more sweat glands per inch than any other part of your body. That’s why the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that frequent foot sweaters apply antiperspirant to dry feet overnight, then wash off in the morning. After repeating this routine for three or four nights in a row, you can limit it to once per week.
Wear the right socks
Cotton socks don’t wick the moisture away from your feet and will likely contribute to odors and potential skin issues. However, wool socks have a moisture-wicking quality that will keep your feet dry longer. Further, wearing the right sock means choosing the right thickness for the weather and activity. You wouldn’t want to wear your warmest wool socks in the high heat of summer. Check out some wool socks for women and wool socks for men that could be a good fit.
Change your socks if they get damp
If your socks aren’t moisture-wicking, your best bet is to change them once they get damp. Continuing to wear damp socks will only increase your risks of skin infection and foot odor.
Drink water
Staying hydrated helps your body regulate your temperature, which will reduce sweating. Plus, it’s good for you!
Use an antifungal powder
If you’re especially worried about developing athlete’s foot or another skin fungus, you can apply antifungal powder to your feet on days where you’re particularly susceptible to foot sweating.
With these tips in mind, go forth and enjoy the warmer temps — with dry, happy feet.
Still searching for the “right” socks? We’ve got you covered.
