Why Do My Feet Sweat So Much? And What Can I Do About It?

Ever taken your shoes off at the end of the day and asked yourself, “why do my feet sweat so much?” We feel you. Foot sweat is natural, but when it feels like you’re sweating too much, it can make you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed.

The thing is: our feet go through a lot every day. Walking, running, playing sports, and putting them into footwear they may not love could make them sweaty. And that’s fine – nothing should stop you from moving and living your best life. But if your feet are sweating a lot, there may be other factors at play that you should know about.

We’re here to help you figure out what causes your feet to sweat and what you can do about it.

When we’re hot, sweat can easily evaporate from some other areas of the body. But when it comes to our feet, sweat can get trapped between our toes and in our socks and shoes.

Exercise

Exercise doesn’t just cause sweaty pits and faces; it can also cause our feet to sweat. And as we mentioned above, sweat can lead to bacteria that cause smelly feet. Even when we’ve removed our socks and shoes after a sweaty workout, the bacteria can still hang around. Plus, they thrive in dark places like cupboards and drawers.

Tip: Air out those sneakers after you get home from the gym before putting them away to avoid awkward smells.

Why do my feet sweat so much doing nothing?

Some people experience excessive sweating of the feet when they are not doing any physical activity, making them feel uncomfortable or embarrassed, and confused as to why it’s happening. You see, sweaty feet are completely normal after exercising and physical activity – it's your body’s way of cooling itself down. But there are other reasons your feet may be sweating so much, which we will get onto next.

Stress

Ever get clammy hands when you’re feeling stressed? It’s a natural, normal, body response to danger – perceived or not. But it can also affect our feet. Now you know.

Hormonal changes

Fluctuating hormones during puberty, pregnancy and menopause can also increase foot sweating.

Standing up all day

Even if you’re not particularly hot or active, standing up all day can cause your feet to sweat more than usual. They’re still putting that work in, even if it doesn’t feel like it.

 

5 ways to tackle sweaty feet

1. Wash and dry your feet daily

Sweat easily gets trapped on our feet and between our toes, so wash and dry them properly at least once a day.

2. Be smart about socks

Socks made from natural fibers like cotton or bamboo are the best option, as they draw moisture away from the feet. You should also change your socks at least once a day.

3. Choose shoes that let your feet breathe

Wear shoes made from breathable materials, like canvas or leather. Sandals or flip-flops in the summer will help your feet breathe.

4. Give your shoes a rest

Don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day, so they have time to dry out.

5. Tackle sweat with specialist products

Consider using specialist foot soap – particularly in hot weather. Deodorizing insoles and foot powders can also help to absorb sweat and keep your shoes fresh.

So, there you have it; sweaty feet shouldn’t feel quite so mysterious or worrying now you know what can cause them. And most importantly, now you know what you can do about them. But remember sweat is perfectly natural, so don’t let it hold you back from feeling your best, and most confident, self.