Skip to Content Skip to Navigation

Understanding Excessive Feet Sweating

Excessive feet sweating – medically named plantar hyperdrosis – is not just a simple case of having sweaty shoes after the gym. 

Hydrosis – excessive sweating in general – is a condition that involves heavy sweating in a body area despite the body not needing to be cooled. It can affect many different areas and is experienced by men and women of all ages and health levels. 

Normal sweating is a bodily function that effectively rids the body of toxins and lowers body temperature. For sufferers of hydrosis, perspiration is constant, unrequired, and is excessive to the point of discomfort. 

Excessive sweating is a medical concern with the potential of leading to psychological issues and a feeling that we cannot live freely without shame. It’s an issue that impacts its sufferer every day, social embarrassment, anxiety and reduced quality of life being just some of the negative effects. 

We can be hindered by a limitation in what clothing can be worn, and how we use and present our body. 

Some social situations are avoided by sufferers of excessive sweating, in a bid to hide their problem. 

Daily life for those who are dealing with excessive sweating can be a constant challenge, as they are plagued by anxiety over having their condition exposed. 

Many people with excessive feet sweating feel worried about encountering situations where they cannot hide the problem, such as having to remove their shoes and leave obviously wet footprints or risk odour detection. 

It can negatively impact relationships with friends, family, colleagues and romantic partners or interests. 

Excessive sweating is an issue that can deeply affect a person’s self-esteem, confidence, behaviour and the way they live their life, which becomes damaging to their mental health and outlook. 

Excessive Feet Sweating Treatment Options

There are various methods of treatment or alleviation for excessive foot sweating. However, they don’t all treat the root cause of the problem. Some merely provide temporary relief from discomfort, and they don’t provide a long-term solution in the way that injectables or laser treatments can.

  • Oral medications known as anticholinergics decrease sweating over your entire body. One, oxybutynin hydrochloride, is considered a first-line treatment for craniofacial sweating. The downside is that they may cause side effects such as constipation, urinary retention, dizziness and dry mouth. 
  • Sympathectomy is a procedure where some of the nerves triggering your sweat glands are cut, decreasing the signals for sweat production. It’s an invasive procedure that should be reserved for patients who react poorly to anticholinergics or any other treatment. 
  • Over-the-counter antiperspirants containing aluminium chloride. Some people prefer not to use products containing aluminium. 
  • Prescription antiperspirants designed for feet contain metallic salts – specifically aluminium chloride hexahydrate – to help guard against excessive foot sweating. However, these aggressive formulations, however effective, can be irritating to skin. 
  • Oral medications known as beta blockers and benzodiazepines may block the physical signs of anxiety, such as sweating. This is not recommended for long-term use and should not be seen as a solution. 
  • Powders such as talcum powder or foot odour powders can provide temporary relief, however they can be messy and inconvenient to use. 
  • Moisture-wicking socks can alleviate discomfort, but they won’t change the amount of sweat being produced. They are a quick fix to minimise the appearance of foot sweating and reduce the sensation of having wet feet. They are made of a technical fabric that draws moisture away from the skin more quickly than conventional fabrics such as cotton. Sufferers of excessive foot sweating should never wear polyester socks or other manmade fibres, as these do not breathe or absorb.
  • Breathable shoes are likewise a good short-term solution for minimising the sensation of having sweaty feet, as air can circulate and keep them drier and help avoid odour and wetness. However, this is not always a practical option.

Feet Sweat Laser Treatment

Did you know that excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) can also be treated by dermal laser? 

A highly focused, very narrow beam of laser energy can target specific body structures without injuring the surrounding tissue. This makes laser therapy powerful and precise. 

For the treatment of excessive sweating, lasers are beneficial because they can precisely target, heat and inhibit the overactive sweat glands responsible for your surplus sweat production. 

These sweat glands are primarily found in a specific layer of tissue under the skin of the treatment area. 

For effective sweat reduction treatment, we use the Morpheus8 radiofrequency (RF) microneedling technology. 

During a Morpheus8 treatment, local anaesthetic is applied to numb the area, and then a combination of microneedling and radiofrequency heat will desensitise the targeted sweat glands. 

This process effectively eliminates excessive sweating in that area by inhibiting activity in the glands, which prevents them from overproducing sweat. 

The Morpheus8 treatment for excessive sweating generally requires only one session. For some patients a second Morpheus8 session may be recommended.

Feet Sweat Cosmetic Injectable Treatment

Anti-wrinkle injections are used to relax and lessen the activity of nerves affecting the sweat glands. Once the injectable solution begins to work, this treatment can help reduce sweating in the treated area for months. 

Excessive sweating injections work by blocking the communication of sweat glands and the nerves causing their overactivity. 

The secretion of acetylcholine into the gap between the nerve and sweat gland is required for proper function of the gland. 

By using anti-wrinkle injectables, we can inhibit the release of acetylcholine from the nerve terminals, preventing communication between the nerve and sweat gland. 

This is done by mapping out areas of problematic sweat glands during your consultation. Occasionally, we may decide to perform a starch-iodine test to clearly identify areas of particular concern. 

Where You Can Book This Treatment

Contour Clinics provides treatment for excessive sweating at all our clinic locations; Newtown, Five Dock, Castle Hill and Miranda in Sydney, and Stones Corner in Brisbane. 

We welcome patients for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation with one of our Cosmetic Doctors, so you can learn more about what your treatment will involve, and what to expect from your results. 

Here at Contour Clinics, treatment for excessive sweating is performed only by highly experienced and qualified Cosmetic Doctors and Senior Cosmetic Injectors, who are skilled and experienced in administering injectables with precision, skill and utmost safety.

If you’re looking for a solution to excessive sweating, then book online or call 1300 233 803 to arrange a free consult appointment. 

The Contour Clinics Guarantee

All treatments at Contour Clinics are performed only by highly experienced, fully qualified and skilled clinicians, who treat each patient as an individual, tailoring treatment to your unique requirements.

Your treatment at Contour Clinics comes with:

  • Complimentary consultation with your Cosmetic Doctor or Cosmetic Nurse 
  • Fully qualified, experienced and knowledgeable clinician performing your treatment 
  • Premium TGA-approved product used, guaranteed
  • Gold standard, industry-leading techniques used 
  • Complimentary follow-up appointment to review results 
  • Complimentary top-up, if required 

Talk to our friendly patient care team! We are happy to answer any questions you may have about our treatment for excessive sweating. 

Book a consultation with us! Consultation at Contour Clinics is comprehensive, complimentary and obligation-free. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Ask for an opinion

Required field

Are you ready?

Contact us today


or call us on 1300 233 803