Did you know that each of your feet contains as many as 250,000 sweat glands? Collectively, these thousands of tiny glands can produce as much as one pint of sweat per foot each day! Human feet host innumerable bacteria that love this concoction of water and sodium. These bacteria, which survive on sweat and dead skin cells, produce the foul odor that makes feet stink. More sweat equals more food for bacteria, which in turn produces more bacteria. It’s a perpetuating cycle that can be compounded by how much you sweat, the type of footwear you choose, and the presence of other foot issues like fungal infections.
So while foot odor doesn’t necessarily signify a health problem, in rare instances, it can be a sign of a medical issue. For example, hyperhidrosis, a condition in which one’s sweat glands produce excessive sweat, can lead to excessive odor. Similarly, fungal infections, a very common occurrence, can produce dry, flaky skin that bacteria love to feed on. Both of these issues have potential solutions, so speak to your health care provider if you suspect you may have one of these problems.
How To Prevent Smelly Feet
You can prevent smelly feet by reducing the amount of sweat captured in your shoes. Wear well-made shoes with breathable features, such as leather uppers or athletic shoes with mesh uppers. The socks you wear are also important – wear socks made with copper, wool, cool max or other moisture-wicking fibers to ensure ventilation. Some arch support insoles maybe have anti-bacterial or other odor-eating top covers that can help prevent smelly feet. Good hygiene can make a difference when it comes to foot odor. Wash your body every day, and if you have a history of foot odor, clean your feet with an anti-bacterial soap. Wear shoes for the occasion and place. Excessive amounts of sweat will increase your chances of getting smelly feet, so do not wear thick socks, boots, and pants if you know it will be hot outside. Do not wear the same shoes every day. Buy a variety of high-quality shoes so you can give each pair of shoes about 24 hours before you wear them again. Don't be embarrassed by your feet – be sure to keep your feet dry, clean and cool to prevent smelly feet.
Treatment for Stinky Feet
There are many different remedies for treating stinky feet, and if none of the following work for you, you should consult a doctor. There are a variety of antibacterial, antifungal, and deodorizing options in spray and powder form that are safe, very effective, and well-tolerated by most people. Wash your feet with antifungal foot soap and wash your body every day to reduce bacteria and odor. You can also use antibacterial foot powder on your feet, Athlete's Foot cream or spray antifungal shoe spray inside your shoes. The easy and clean way to keep your shoes dry and odor-free is to put shoe inserts inside your shoes after you wear them. Some insoles have anti-odor or anti-microbial top covers, and those can help eliminate smelly feet. A great treatment for stinky feet that many people turn to is perspiration absorbent footbed liners.