What Causes a Feeling of Socks on Feet

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Everyone gets sweaty feet once in a while, particularly after a long, summer day or after an intensive workout. Occasionally, though, sweaty feet have other causes. If you're sick with the flu, have a cold, or you're anxious, you might sweat more all over, including from your feet. "Menopause, thyroid problems or diabetes can also contribute to excessive sweating," explains Ashley Lee, podiatrist, because fluctuating hormones can alter your internal body temperature.

However, some people just sweat more—regardless of the activity they're doing, the shoes they're wearing, or the temperature outside—and there is no known cause. This is called hyperhidrosis, or more specifically to feet, plantar hyperhidrosis.

"Excessive sweating of the feet seems to be an inherited problem," explains Angie Seelal, registered physician's assistant at Advanced Dermatology PC. "No one knows exactly why it occurs, but people who sweat excessively seem to have a different 'set point' than other people [so they] sweat excessively almost all the time."

Whatever the cause of sweaty feet, one thing is certain: it's unpleasant, sometimes smelly, and it can be embarrassing. The good news is that if you wear the right kind of sock, it can help keep your feet a little drier and keep your feet more comfortable. "Wicking fabric is best for hyperhidrosis," says Lee. "Fabrics that are considered wicking are usually made up of two or more of the following: Polyester, nylon, lyra, and merino wool. CoolMax technology fabrics are usually a combo of spandex, wool or cotton."

There are lots of socks made of these fabrics on the market though, so picking the right ones can be a little overwhelming. So, to help narrow down your choices, we spoke to podiatrists and dermatologists to determine the very best socks for sweaty feet.

Here are the best socks for sweaty feet on the market.

Our Top Picks

Temperature regulating vents built into the fabric allow the feet plenty of ventilation.

Offers arch support and is made of sweat-wicking material to keep feet dry all day.

Features an elasticized arch brace that prevents the socks from sliding off as they're worn.

Very comfortable to wear thanks to its built-in strategic cushioning and Y-stitch heel pocket.

Lightweight, but can still provide firm heel compression needed to reduce inflammation.

Provides 360-degree arch support for maximum comfort.

Made from 'Thor-Lon acrylic' fibers, a cotton-like yarn that wicks away moisture.

Pros

• Performance yarn wicks away moisture

• Airflow venting built in

• Strategic cushioning

• Seamless toe

Cons

• Not gender neutral

• Heel can bunch on some users

While technically designed for working out, these no-show performance socks are great for everyday use if you have sweaty feet. They are thin enough to conform to the shape of your foot and they feature targeted cushioning to keep you comfortable. However, what makes them perfect for people with sweaty feet is the fact that they have temperature regulating vents built into the fabric to allow your feet plenty of ventilation and that they are made from a special yarn that wicks away moisture.

Material: 66% Polyester, 21% Nylon, 12% Cotton, 1% Spandex | Fit: Ankle

Pros

• Soft and stretchy

• Anti-odor technology

• Available in a variety of colors

Cons

• Thin material

• Not the best for working out

For an affordable yet still high-quality sock, these Under Armour ones are the best you can get. Sold as a set of six, they're stretchy, soft, lightweight, and super comfortable. They offer some arch support and they have sweat-wicking material to keep your feet dry and comfortable all day long. They're also truly no-show, with a scooped ankle.

Material: 90% Polyester, 6% Nylon, 4% Elastane | Fit: No Show

Pros

• Moisture-wicking fabric

• Has a light cushion for comfort

• Available in a variety of colors

• Arch brace to hold sock in place

Cons

• Only available in dull colors

• Run small

• Will shrink if washed and dried incorrectly

Originally designed to be a hiking sock, these socks are a great choice for other activities too, including biking, running, or skiing because they provide light cushioning on the soles of the feet to keep you comfortable. They're made from a combination of merino wool and nylon, two fabrics that have great moisture-wicking properties to help keep your sweaty feet dry. They also feature an elasticized arch brace to prevent them from sliding out of place as you wear them.

Material: 64% Merino Wool, 34% Nylon, 2% Elastane | Fit: Crew

What the Experts Say

"Wool socks are your best bet for cool and dry feet in the summertime, as wool wicks away moisture to prevent your feet from becoming soggy and wet. They are suitable for every lifestyle." —Angie Seelal, registered physician's assistant at Advanced Dermatology PC

Pros

• Dri-Fit Technology to wick away sweat

• Strategic cushioning for comfort

• Y-stitch heel pocket for better fit

• Breathable

Cons

• Expensive price per pair

• Run small

These socks have special Dri-Fit technology to help wick away sweat from your feet and keep you dry. They're also very comfortable, thanks to built-in strategic cushioning to minimize the impact on your feet and a Y-stitch heel pocket. In addition, they stay put, even while you're running or working out so you don't get any blisters.

Material: 56% Polyester, 39% Nylon, 5% Spandex | Fit: Quarter

Pros

• Lightweight

• Moisture-wicking

• Firm arch-support

• Supportive compression

Cons

• Snug fit not for everyone

• Exposed toes can cause odor

Compression socks aren't always ideal for people with sweaty feet because they can be thick and restrictive. However, these are the opposite: they're made of lightweight fabric that is moisture-wicking, while still offering the firm heel compression and ankle support you want in socks designed to reduce inflammation.

Material: 75% polyamide, 25% spandex | Fit: Ankle

What the Experts Say

"There are certain types of compression socks that can be worn even by those with sweaty feet, but it may be important to change the socks if you feel like you have soaked through the socks. Dowellife Compression Foot Sleeves may be a good option for those with sweaty feet looking for a compression option as they are lightweight and moisture-wicking." —Marisa Garshick, board-certified dermatologist

Pros

• Great for running and training

• Super comfortable fit

• Odor-fighting

• 360-degree arch support

Cons

• Limited color availability

Arch support isn't just important when looking for shoes. Finding arch support in socks is another great way to help prevent injury and keep your feet feeling their best.

"Compression socks help by compressing the arches or the feet and as a result decrease inflammation and does help support arches," says Angie Seelal, a registered physician's assistant at Advanced Dermatology PC. "Compression socks also just have a ton of great medical benefits, including increasing circulation, preventing and controlling varicose veins, decreasing swelling, and more."

These socks provide the arch support you need while also being great for sweaty feet, thanks to their sweat-wicking properties that prohibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria in the sock. They're also incredibly comfortable because the heel is knit in three dimensions so that the yarn stretches and cushions your heel in a comfy way. Best of all, the sock provides 360-degree arch support for maximum comfort.

Material: 89% Nylon, 6% Lycra elastane, 5% X-static nylon | Fit: No-show

Pros

• Made in the USA

• Padded for comfort

• Sweat-wicking material

• Nice arch support

Made of temperature regulating and sweat-wicking material, these socks are incredibly comfortable, especially if you have sweaty feet. They're made from "Thor-Lon acrylic" fibers, which is a cotton-like yarn that wicks away moisture. It's also lightweight and breathable, making them ideal for wearing during your workouts.

Material: 83% Thor-Wick Cool, 13% nylon, 4% elastic | Fit: Ankle

Final Verdict

If you're looking for comfortable, no-show socks, Bombas Women's Performance Cushioned No Show Socks (view at Bombas) are comfortable, lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking. You can wear them every day or while you work out. However, if you prefer more masculine, ankle socks, Smartwool Hiking Light Crew Socks (view at Amazon) are a great choice, thanks to their Merino Wool and Nylon blend.

What to Look for in Socks for Sweaty Feet

Moisture-Wicking Fabric

You'll probably want to avoid cotton. "Cotton absorbs moisture, but then the fabric stays in close contact with the skin, potentially causing blisters or irritation," explains Marisa Garshick, M.D., a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. "Moisture-wicking fabrics include polyester, merino wool, and nylon [and they] allow the sweat to evaporate so the socks can dry faster." Other moisture-wicking materials include Lycra and CoolMax technology fabrics, which are a combination of spandex, wool, or cotton.

Breathability

The more airflow your sock gets, the cooler your feet will be—which can ease some of your sweating. This is especially important when shopping for socks that you'll wear while working out. Look for fabrics that have air-venting technology. This can also help prevent a buildup of moisture, which can lead to fungal problems like athlete's foot and toenail fungus.

Comfort

At the end of the day, any sock you wear needs to be comfortable to wear all day. So if they slide down, if they're tight or itchy, or if they give you blisters, you're not going to want to wear them.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How often should you change your socks to prevent sweaty feet?

  Everyone should change their socks at least once a day, as well as after exercising. However, if you are prone to sweaty feet—even when you're not working out or it's not hot outside—you're going to want to change them more often, maybe two to three times a day.

  "Have spare pairs of socks on hand so that it is possible to refresh your feet instantly," says Seelal. "You want to change your socks minimally twice a day or as often as you notice them becoming moist."

• Does wearing socks overnight cause athlete's foot?

  "Wearing socks overnight alone doesn't necessarily cause athlete's foot," explains Garshick, "but in general, prolonged moisture can increase the risk of developing athlete's foot. This is because fungi—like the ones that cause athlete's food—love moist environments."

What the Experts Say

"Compression can increase circulation by up to 40%, in turn, to help move the sweat away from the foot and leg, keeping lower limbs drier. However it may not alleviate the sweating of feet depending on the severity." —Angie Seelal, registered physician's assistant at Advanced Dermatology PC

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What Causes a Feeling of Socks on Feet

Source: https://www.verywellhealth.com/best-socks-for-sweaty-feet-5182484

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