Sweating is just about the most natural mechanisms in our body. Wastes and toxins inside the body are released through the pores in our skin in the form of sweat. For although everyone perspires, there are people who sweat excessively. This illness is called hyperhidrosis. Two of the common forms of hyperhidrosis are palmar and pedal hyperhidrosis. These are known as palm and foot sweating respectively.
Having sweaty palms and feet can be very embarrassing especially when you deal with people. The hands perform functions such as holding things and handshaking when greeting people. The feet which excessively sweat result to a release of bad odor.
The big question is: how do you stop or cure sweaty hands and feet?
Dealing with Sweaty Palms: Do’s and Don’ts
- Don’t smoke.
- Don’t apply or rub lotion and creams in your palms. It only adds to moisture on your skin.
- Don’t consume excessive amounts of tea, coffee and sweetened drinks and beverages because these trigger the acquisition of such illness.
- Drink plenty of water to keep the body cool.
- Do yoga exercise. This is a technique to relax the body and mind and avoid stress which is a factor for sweating excessively.
- Stay indoors or do activities that keep the body cool like swimming. A high temperature stimulates the nerves that release sweat.
Stop Sweaty Palms Using Home Products
- Sodium Bicarbonate or the mixture of baking soda and hot water. It is an alkaline that reacts to the sweaty palms leaving it dry. You should dip your hands in the mixture moving it in a slow, circular motion for 15-20 minutes. Then, wipe it dry.
- Vinegar. It is an astringent that stops sweating of the palms. Just mix a half cup of vinegar and a quarter-cup of warm water. Ten soak your hands for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Tea. Just boil five tea bags, let it cool and instead of drinking it, dip your hands in it for twenty minutes.
Foot Sweating: How to Cure
The problem with pedal hyperhidrosis is not only the excessive sweating but also having smelly feet. This happens when the bacteria in the skin mingles with the sweat. The feet sweat when they are always covered. It cannot breathe air normally and are not able to excrete fluids through the pores naturally. Also, because they are covered, the sweat does not dry up easily.
Give your feet a break from being locked up inside closed shoes by wearing flip flops and sandals occasionally. Once in a while, try foot spa and foot scrub services.
For employees, athletes and students who cannot avoid wearing closed shoes, you have to practice the habit of cleaning your feet well. Scrub and wash it thoroughly. Before wearing your shoes, dry your feet by wiping it or let it dry in the air using a fan. Then, never forget to use clean socks. Use antiperspirants made for the feet or talcum foot powder before wearing the socks.
And always, after taking off your shoes, again wash your feet with soap to be able to get rid of the foul smell.
On the other hand, there are also medical treatments that may help you cure your sweating illness. One of these is the procedure called iontophoresis. This uses an electric torch battery to switch off the sweat glands and stop it from sweating. Another is by undergoing surgery called sympathectomy.
Sweaty hands and feet have different causes and it is equally important that you first know what exactly caused the sweating problem that you have. Consult a doctor to help you determine the root of your problem and hopefully treat your sweaty hands and feet.