Fact Checked
Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis is a condition affects any part of the body, but usually the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, underarm and face are commonly affected. The condition is usually heredity where parents or siblings have suffered from the same condition.
Causes of sweaty palms and feet
- Certain medications
- Menopausal hot flashes
- Substance abuse
- Overactive thyroid
- Low blood sugar
- Heart attack
- Infectious disease such as malaria or tuberculosis
- Deficiency in nutrition such as an unhealthy diet and unhygienic lifestyle
Treatment
- Consume a glass of fresh homemade tomato juice every day at least for a week.
- After taking a bath, pat the feet dry especially between the toes. Massage the area using apple cider vinegar. Tea tree oil is also good for sweating of the foot. Apply tea tree oil directly on the affected area.
- Minimize eating foods rich in iodine. Vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, and white onion, beef, liver and meats of turkey should be avoided.
- Boil a quart of water and put 5 teabags in the boiling water, let it cool and soak the sweaty palms for at least 30 minutes. Tannic acid present in tea has astringent properties that function as a natural antiperspirant.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day to regulate the temperature of the body and prevent it from raising too high and trigger the need to sweat. Drinking plenty of water flushes out toxins in the body through urine and also improves the odor of sweat. Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water every day to make the skin smooth and improve digestion.
- Baking soda and cornstarch can be applied on the sweaty areas that are susceptible to infection such as the feet and below the breasts. Baking soda has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties suitable for sensitive skin. Another alternative is using baby powder.
- Take the prescribed over-the-counter zinc supplement or eat foods rich in zinc such as beef, crab, breakfast cereal, baked beans, yogurt and almonds.
- Apply an antiperspirant at night before going to bed since it takes about 6-8 hours for the perspirant to enter the sweat glands and clog the pores. Antiperspirant is not only for the armpits but can be used anywhere in the body such as the palms, feet and back. Avoid using an antiperspirant on the face to prevent irritation.
- Wear lightweight clothing such as cotton to prevent the skin from overheating.
- Place moisture-wicking insoles inside shoes to lessen sweat on the feet.
- Avoid being stressed. Remember that feeling nervous and anxious can cause sweating in some people.
- Stop smoking, drinking alcohol and excessive consumption of caffeine to prevent excessive sweating.
- Avoid being overweight to minimize sweating.