Sweaty feet: What helps against sweaty feet in children?

What are sweaty feet?

If excessive sweat is released through the sweat glands in the area of ​​the sole of the foot, this is referred to as sweaty feet, medically referred to as hyperhidrosis pedis. Colloquially, however, the term refers more to the unpleasant smelling feet, also known as cheese feet.

Causes of sweaty feet

Sweaty feet are caused by the fact that the excessive production of the sweat glands constantly moisturizes the cornea under the feet. Under certain circumstances, this can also swell whitish. Bacteria can multiply very quickly under these humid and warm conditions. As a result, the corneal substance increasingly decomposes. The remaining decomposition products produce the unpleasant foot odor. Feet also become more susceptible to other skin conditions such as plantar warts or athlete’s foot infections. In order to prevent odor or athlete’s foot , feet need a lot of care. Other causes of sweaty feet:

• Disease-related sweaty feet are usually caused by oversized sweat glands.
• People who suffer from hyperhidrosis, i.e. whose entire body glands produce an excessive amount of sweat and therefore generally sweat profusely, tend to have sweaty feet.
• Wearing airtight shoes or stockings.
• Poor foot hygiene.
• Rare washing of socks or shoes.

Can everyone get sweaty feet?

Sweaty feet are mainly a predisposition. This means that if one of the parents has sweaty feet, there is a high probability that the child will also be affected. In addition, children’s feet have just as many sweat glands as the adult foot, which, however, has a larger surface area.

Tips against sweaty feet

Hyperhidrosis pedis is not always a sign of poor foot care or hygiene. However, special care of the feet can counteract the formation of odors and excessive sweat production. In the following we will give you some tips on how to deal with unpleasantly sweaty feet:

• Washing feet: Feet should be washed regularly. Ideally several times a day, i.e. preferably in the morning and evening.
• Dry your feet properly: After washing, the spaces between the toes must be dried well, because in warm, humid climates, bacteria quickly build up in them, which promotes the smell of sweat.
• Foot deodorants: Unfortunately, many artificial foot deodorants only help to eliminate the smell of sweat, but they disrupt the foot’s natural germ colonization. Deodorants with aluminum salts, on the other hand, have proven their worth, since less sweat escapes when they are used and the unpleasant odor is accordingly absent.
• Foot Creams: Numerous foot creams stop odor and excessive sweat build-up. Creams with aluminum hydrochloride or powder containing tanning agents also inhibit sweat production.
• Foot bath: Lukewarm foot baths with tannins such as sage tincture or oak bark extract are effective. For example, sage generally reduces the body’s sweating when used regularly.
• Stockings: To prevent sweaty feet, you should always wear fresh socks and stockings made of natural materials such as cotton. Synthetic socks, on the other hand, encourage sweaty feet because they cannot absorb sweat.
• Shoes: Ideally, buy breathable footwear. Shoes made of natural materials such as leather and suede are recommended – they give the foot the opportunity to wick sweat. If the shoes are still impermeable to air, air them several times a day or change shoes more often.
• Insoles: You can also use odor-inhibiting insoles for the shoes, for example those based on cedar wood, cinnamon or activated charcoal.