People's Pharmacy

For more up-to-date information on drugs, herbs and home remedies visit The People's Pharmacy Home Site at peoplespharmacy.us

Antiperspirant Dries Sweaty Feet

Posting Date: 05/16/2005

Q. I am having a problem with my feet. They sweat constantly and are very tender. With warm weather they get worse. Do you have any remedies for this problem?

A. You?re in luck. We just received the following message from another reader:

?I suffered for years with sweaty feet and foot odor. I tried lots of over-the-counter foot products and one recommended by a foot doctor. None worked.

?One day I was so desperate I rubbed the bottoms of my feet and in between my toes with my underarm deodorant (Women's Mitchum Clear Gel) and it worked! Now I use it on my feet daily and have not had an odor problem since. I also rubbed it in all my smelly shoes and the odor completely disappeared. Please let your readers know about this product, as it has made a tremendous difference in my life.?

Dermatologists sometimes suggest using antiperspirant on the feet against foot odor and athlete?s foot. In a double-blind study at the U.S. Military Academy, cadets who applied antiperspirant to their soles for three nights before a long hike were less than half as likely to get blisters but more likely to experience skin irritation (Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, Oct. 1999).

Q. How can I learn more about drug and food interactions? I take Glucophage for diabetes and recently learned that guar gum makes it less effective. Guar gum is in a lot of low-fat foods like salad dressings and frozen desserts. My blood sugar readings are much better now that I am more careful.

I also take Coumadin and Lipitor, so I need to avoid broccoli. But I would like to know about other interactions.

A. Coumadin (warfarin) interacts with many drugs and foods, including vegetables such as parsley, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Regular use of drugs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen may also pose hazards.