If your feet are cold & sweaty, you’re not alone—many people wonder, “my feet are cold but sweaty” or “my feet are sweating but still cold” This happens when sweat on your skin cools too quickly, often due to poor circulation, stress, or a condition like plantar hyperhidrosis.
The good news? Cold, sweaty feet can be managed with the right care, breathable footwear, and moisture-wicking inserts. In this guide, we’ll break down the causes and give you simple, effective fixes so your feet stay warm, dry, and comfortable.
Causes of Cold, Sweaty Feet & How to Keep Them Warm
Why do penguins never get married?
They always get cold feet!
Ba Dum Tss
Got clammy feet? Cold feet are often a normal response, but they can also be linked to medical conditions. If your cold feet also sweat excessively, you may have a condition known as plantar hyperhidrosis.
By learning about the causes and solutions for cold, sweaty feet and opting for moisture-wicking products like FLAT SOCKS® for cold feet, you can manage symptoms and keep your feet dry and comfortable.
Grey canvas shoes with FLAT SOCKS sock insert inside
Why Are My Feet Cold and Sweaty?
Cold feet are your body’s natural response to colder temperatures, especially in cooler climates or during winter. Your body directs blood flow to your core to keep vital organs warm, reducing blood flow to your extremities like your hands and feet, making them colder.
Ever wonder why your feet are cold yet sweating? Sweat can cause your feet to feel colder by speeding up evaporation, even when it’s not cold outside. People with excessively sweaty feet, or plantar hyperhidrosis, often experience cold feet too.
If excessive sweating is affecting your daily life, cold and sweaty feet might become a source of discomfort or embarrassment. Sweat can also foster bacterial growth, leading to foot odour or athlete’s foot.
Causes of Cold, Sweaty Feet
Cold feet are typically temporary. However, some people experience chronically cold feet, which could be linked to medical conditions. If your feet are constantly cold, causing discomfort or pain, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional.
Common causes of cold and sweaty feet include:
- Anxiety or stress disorders that increase sweat production
- Wearing shoes that are too tight or not breathable
- Medication side effects
- Poor blood circulation
- Autoimmune conditions like anaemia
- Hormonal imbalances, such as menopause
- Overactive thyroid affecting circulation and metabolism
- Neuropathy in diabetics, causing excess sweating and temperature changes
- Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), which reduces blood flow to the limbs
- Raynaud’s Syndrome, which overreacts to cold temperatures by restricting blood flow to the extremities
Hot compress on cold feet
Other Symptoms Related to Cold Feet
Depending on the cause, cold feet might come with other symptoms, such as mild pain, tingling, numbness, or difficulty warming up. These could point to an underlying issue and should be checked by a doctor.
Anxiety can easily trigger sweating, especially during stressful events. When stressed, your heart rate and body temperature rise, releasing hormones that activate sweat glands, particularly in your armpits, hands, and feet, to keep you cool.
Those with anxiety disorders may face excessive sweating, potentially leading to more anxiety or embarrassment. As sweat evaporates, it cools your feet, continuing the cold, clammy feeling. Moisture-wicking inserts like FLAT SOCKS can help manage this issue.
Pair of slippers with floral FLAT SOCKS inside
How to Stop Cold and Sweaty Feet?
Do your socks feel like soggy Popsicle wrappers? Ugh, we get it. Gross, right? But it doesn’t have to be. FLAT SOCKS are designed to help with sweaty feet, keeping them warm by wicking away moisture, preventing that damp feeling.
Our microwool socks offer breathability and softness in colours like light heather grey and forest green. For colder weather, faux fur socks keep your feet warm and dry in Toms®, HeyDude™ shoes, and even your favourite winter boots.
A man is placing a grey faux fur sock insert in a purple shoe
FLAT SOCKS mesh sock inserts are cushy and absorb sweat and odour, keeping feet cool (but not cold), fresh, and comfortable. Available in various patterns, you can maintain your style while staying dry. Use them in boots, shoes, or slippers. Got kids with cold, sweaty feet? Try FLAT SOCKS Kids to keep their little toes warm and dry!
A kid is placing a kid’s sock insert into a white shoe
Foot hygiene is vital in managing sweaty feet. Wash and thoroughly dry your feet daily. Let your feet breathe when possible, like avoiding shoes indoors. FLAT SOCKS are machine washable too, so you can keep them clean like regular socks.
Foot deodorants, creams, or sprays can help reduce foot sweat by temporarily blocking sweat glands at night, but you’ll need to wash it off in the morning. If sweating is anxiety-related or caused by nerve issues, healthcare providers may suggest treatments like antidepressants or nerve blocks.
FLAT SOCKS: The Best Socks for Cold, Sweaty Feet
Don’t hesitate to take your socks off! Excessive sweat from anxiety, stress, or conditions like hyperhidrosis might be why your feet feel both cold and sweaty. FLAT SOCKS are sockless shoe inserts that fit inside your shoe, not on your feet. With built-in moisture-wicking technology, they reduce sweat, ensuring your feet don’t feel cold or clammy.
FQAs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How to stop feet from sweating in shoes?
To stop feet from sweating in shoes, choose breathable footwear, wear moisture-wicking inserts like FLAT SOCKS, and keep your feet clean and dry daily. Using foot powders, antiperspirant sprays, or changing shoes regularly also helps control moisture and odour, keeping your feet fresh.
What deficiency causes cold feet?
Iron deficiency (anaemia) is a common cause of cold feet because low iron reduces oxygen delivery to your extremities. Poor circulation from vitamin B12 deficiency can also make feet feel cold. Correcting these deficiencies through diet or supplements often improves warmth in your feet.
What vitamin helps with sweaty feet?
Vitamin B complex, especially B12, plays a key role in balancing your nervous system and regulating sweat gland activity. A deficiency may worsen excessive sweating, so maintaining healthy B-vitamin levels through diet or supplements can help manage sweaty feet naturally.
Conclusion:
Cold and sweaty feet can be frustrating, but understanding the causes—from poor circulation and stress to hyperhidrosis—makes it easier to find relief. With the right care, breathable footwear, and moisture-wicking inserts like FLAT SOCKS, you can keep your feet warm, dry, and comfortable every day. Don’t let cold, clammy feet hold you back—simple changes can make all the difference.
