Feet perspire...some people's more than others. In our hot and humid climate in Houston, we see our fair share of sweaty feet. Sweating feet will cause a perfect environment to harbor fungus. Fungus thrives in a warm, moist, dark shoe and waits for an opportunity to infect the skin or toenails. Let's take a look at why that's a problem, and how we can stop it.
The Trouble with Sweaty Feet
Now, sweaty feet and water-logged shoes feel very unpleasant. But the immediate discomfort isn't the only concern. First, sweaty, clammy feet can give off odor. And that can be embarrassing and interfere with your daily activities. [Learn more about dealing with foot odor here.]
Plus, the more your foot perspires, the more moisture there is in your shoe at the end of the day. This creates an environment that increases the potential for fungal growth and infection. Luckily, we can usually control foot perspiration; we can also typically treat fungal infections of the skin. But in our practice, we always try to prevent problems instead of simply waiting to provide treatment when issues arise. And one of the best ways to control foot perspiration is to change up your socks, in order to get some help in the battle against foot sweat.
Now, back in the day, people thought that cotton socks were the best option for keeping your feet dry. Today, however, we know better. In fact, thanks to this Glamour magazine feature, we know there are at least 12 awesome sock brands that can help prevent foot sweat. Need even more choices? You can try these alternatives to cotton socks from Amazon. Seamless for comfort and moisture-wicking to help you win the fight against sweaty feet, these socks certainly earned their over-four star rating on the platform. So, whether you're into knee socks or no-shows, there's no excuse not to switch into a sweat-wicking sock brand that will protect you from clammy feet that are prone to infection.
The Work Doesn't End when Sweaty Feet Go Away
Even if your sock change puts an end to your problems with sweaty feet, you can't rest on your laurels. (Especially if you want to avoid foot odor and fungal infections.) You see, even when your feet aren't wet, you have to remember what happened to your footwear when you were sweating away. Sadly, most people don't consider what's left living in their shoes after kicking them off at the end of the day. And that's a problem, because your shoes can harbor fungus long after you've stopped your sweaty problems.
For that reason, you need to make efforts to clean out your shoes. If possible, you should rotate the pairs you wear, giving shoes a full 24 hours to dry before putting them back on your feet again. But if that's not possible? They need to be treated, whether or not your feet developed a fungal infection. Luckily, you can easily cross this task off your list by using an antifungal spray, such as Tolcylen shoe spray, a product we carry in the office. (P.S. we also carry a variety of Tolycylen foot soaks in the office. They can help tired, achy feet relax and, when used regularly, can support optimal foot health!)
Not into one-off products? No to worry, there are other ways you can disinfect your shoes to prevent recurring fungal infections. You may wish to purchase an ultraviolet light that can disinfect the shoe without heat or chemicals. While this requires more of an initial investment, the bonus here is that the product can be reused for multiple pairs of shoes.
Tanglewood Foot Specialists can offer solutions to control excessive foot perspiration, treat the athletes foot infection or toenail fungus, and prevent reinfection with proper disinfection of your shoes. Call our Houston Podiatry office for a convenient appointment.
