# Antiperspirant vs. sweaty, smelly feet. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 9, 2009, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antiperspirant-vs-sweaty-smelly-feet/516936 "2009-11-09T20:04:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antiperspirant-vs-sweaty-smelly-feet/516936/1 "2009-11-09T20:04:57Z")
To put it simply: I ruin shoes. What can I do? Will a clinical or even regular strength antiperspirant work? Does ANYTHING work? I’m so sick of this… ---
**Author:** ![cuberdon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/45deac/32.png) [@cuberdon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuberdon)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antiperspirant-vs-sweaty-smelly-feet/516936/2 "2009-11-09T21:39:50Z")
Does this sound like what you have? > **[Hyperhidrosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperhidrosis)** > > Hyperhidrosis is a condition characterized by abnormally increased sweating, in excess of that required for regulation of body temperature. Although primarily a benign physical burden, hyperhidrosis can deteriorate quality of life from a psychological, emotional, and social perspective. In fact, hyperhidrosis almost always leads to psychological as well as physical and social consequences. People suffering from it present difficulties in the professional field, more than 80% experi This excess of... A doctor might be able to help. ---
**Author:** ![abderian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@abderian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abderian)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antiperspirant-vs-sweaty-smelly-feet/516936/3 "2009-11-09T21:50:56Z")
This might sound crazy, but try soaking your feet in tea. Brew a _very_ strong batch of tea and pour it into a tub of water — giving you a tub of warm or cool tea — and soak your feet, it really DOES make a huge difference in foot sweating. Even decaf tea works. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antiperspirant-vs-sweaty-smelly-feet/516936/4 "2009-11-09T22:39:57Z")
[Certain Dri](http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=11764&catid=48155) has very high ratings and works pretty well, on armpits or wherever else you apply it. Inside there’s a pamphlet which states it can be used on feet and is actually a good way to reduce blistering. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antiperspirant-vs-sweaty-smelly-feet/516936/5 "2009-11-09T23:10:09Z")
> [@LouiseE](#): > > Does this sound like what you have? > > [Hyperhidrosis - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperhidrosis) > > A doctor might be able to help. Oh, my God! Once I got to “anxiety” I quit reading. This sounds like exactly what I have, probably as a result/symptom of my generalized anxiety disorder. ---
**Author:** ![cantara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6f9a4e/32.png) [@cantara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cantara)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antiperspirant-vs-sweaty-smelly-feet/516936/6 "2009-11-10T17:47:17Z")
A doctor had asked me about mine when I was young, but didn’t realize that palms aren’t habitually damp. My brother is in public relations and has the same problem with sweaty palms. I never really cared or was bothered by it, but since he was shaking hands frequently he started using [Drysol](http://buydrysol.com/) (it appears that they also sell the CertainDri). He gave me a small bottle to try and it seemed to work. I didn’t keep it up as I am used to it and it doesn’t bother me. It looks like a doctor could recommend something like these. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antiperspirant-vs-sweaty-smelly-feet/516936/7 "2009-11-11T03:16:17Z")
> [@Portwest](#): > > This might sound crazy, but try soaking your feet in tea. Brew a _very_ strong batch of tea and pour it into a tub of water — giving you a tub of warm or cool tea — and soak your feet, it really DOES make a huge difference in foot sweating. Even decaf tea works. This. Guess I’m not the only one who watches Dr. Oz. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antiperspirant-vs-sweaty-smelly-feet/516936/8 "2009-11-11T04:34:09Z")
Yeah, I tried some Clinical Strength Secret last night and it did work; but I think it takes awhile, if I remember correctly. Definitely going to try the tea thing. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Haunted](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/898d66/32.png) [@Haunted](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Haunted)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antiperspirant-vs-sweaty-smelly-feet/516936/9 "2009-11-11T11:41:48Z")
Foot powder with tea tree oil in it might help, too. ---
**Author:** ![abderian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@abderian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abderian)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antiperspirant-vs-sweaty-smelly-feet/516936/10 "2009-11-11T22:56:15Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > This. Guess I’m not the only one who watches Dr. Oz. Nope. I didn’t get it from Dr. Oz. Read about it somewhere eons ago and have tried it myself, and have had friends tell me it works for them, too. 🙂