feet, excessive sweating

Excessively sweaty palms and soles are caused by an inherited condition called dyshidrosis or hyperhidrosis. It is usually present in one of the parents - I just ask them to hold out their palms and feel them. I believe this is an autosomal dominant trait. The excessive sweating and irritation it causes to the feet often produces itching and peeling on the soles of the feet and sometimes on the hands. This condition of itching and peeling is called dyshidrotic eczema. While fungal infection can occur in these areas, usually antifungal agents don't seem to help much.

This condition can be a real embarrassment for a teenager, especially a girl who doesn't want boys to think she is so nervous about the prom. Dermatologists sometimes use soaks in 10% aluminum chloride solution. I have had some success by telling the child to find a roll-on antiperspirant (not deodorant) that contains aluminum chloride and to roll that on. It seems to work.

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