There is a little Carrie Bradshaw, the Sex and the City heroine, in all of us. A part of you that aspires to be spontaneous and carefree; to run through life in your heels. Okay maybe less like run, and more like walk slowly and carefully. But what if pain and hyperhydrosis are keeping you from your high heel destiny?
In layman’s terms, hyperhydrosis classifies people who have excessively sweaty feet. This sweating of the feet prevents many women from wearing high heels because the inside of the shoe becomes too slippery, making the foot unstable. While small measures like pads can be put inside the shoe to alleviate the problem temporarily, most women become so uncomfortable that they toss their heels back in the closet and retreat to flat sole alternatives. But, by injecting Botox, which is usually used to treat wrinkles in the face, into the foot the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands are blocked so no moisture can be created.
But it is not just sweating that keeps many pairs of glamorous high heels hidden in the closet. The pain associated with spending all day in them is a major factor as well. Unlike a regular shoe which distributes body weight evenly throughout the sole, high heels put the most pressure on the metatarsal pads, the area surrounding the big toe and ball of the foot.
The cause for the pain associated with wearing high heels is caused by aging. Gene Rubinstein, M.D., of the Dermatology and Laser Centre of Studio City, says that as we age we start to lose the tissue in our feet, most often in the balls and on the heel. When patients visit Dr. Rubinstein’s office looking for relief, he suggests they get a combination of Botox and Restylane injections in various parts of the foot to combat sweat and pain simultaneously.
In order to prepare your feet for the treatments, a numbing cream is rubbed all over the bottom of your foot and in between the toes. Then Botox is injected where the most troublesome sweat glands are, followed by Restylane shots dispersed in the heel and ball of the foot.
The procedure does not take long. Within a day or two, you can expect to put on your first pair of heels and walk confidently out the door. Keep in mind that the treatment will need to be given again every few months and includes both the cost of Botox and Restylane which can bring the price of the procedure close to and above $1,000. But, it is probably an investment that Ms. Bradshaw would make.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
