Do you ever think of stinky feet when you toss off your shoes after a long day? If you dread the lingering stench, we are here to help.
Foot and Ankle specialists say it’s actually a pretty common problem but what causes stinky Feet or bromodosis? The good news is that bromodosis is easy, quick, and inexpensive to treat.
The primary cause is from a lack of ventilation for your feet. There are thousands of sweat glands in feet, which produce quite a bit of sweat each day. The unpleasant smell comes when the perspiration isn’t allowed to evaporate.
However, it isn’t actually the sweat causing the foot odor. There are numerous bacteria that normally lives on feet, which feed off the sweat, producing a particular acid which actually causes the odor.
If that’s not enough, fungus also thrives in warm, moist environments like sweaty feet. So, if the bacteria on your foot isn’t what causes foot odor, the fungus on your feet might be the culprit. Many people know the fungus as Athlete’s foot, and it can also cause the foot to smell unpleasant.
Other foot odor causes include poor hygiene, wearing the same shoes every day and some disease processes. However, toenail issues do not play any role in the overall stench of your feet, nor does gender.
Home Remedies for Stinky Feet
Doctors suggests six, non-prescription suggestions for stinky feet.
Practice good hygiene.
Keep feet clean, dry and neat. Use a mild soap and scrub brush to wash your feet at least once a day. The best time to do this is during your morning or evening shower. It’s important to dry your feet completely after washing.
Pay special attention between your toes, where any wetness can easily cause bacteria to grow. Clip your toenails often so they’re short, and make sure to clean them regularly. Remove the hard, dead skin from your feet with a foot file. Hard skin gets soggy and soft when it’s wet, creating a place where bacteria like to live.
Try a spray.
Purchase an over-the-counter foot deodorant or antiperspirant. Dry your feet. Make sure to towel off feet after a shower or bath. Purchase medicated insoles. These absorb sweat and unpleasant odors.
Wear the right socks.
Some socks contain chemicals that reduce bacteria load. Also, try socks with moisture-wicking fibers (pulls sweat away from the body) to increase ventilation. These include socks made of copper, wool or cool max. Change your socks at least once a day. If you’re in a hot environment, exercising, or in any other situation where your feet may become sweaty, you should change your socks more often.
Watch your diet.
Eating a balanced, healthy diet will help reduce the risk of smelly feet.
Give your feet a breather
Wear open-toed sandals in warm weather, and go barefoot indoors when appropriate to allow your feet to stay dry. Avoid shoes that are tight or may retain moisture.
Medication & Treatments for Stinky Feet
If you’ve tried all five options above, Doctors suggest contacting your primary care provider for more advice. Medical professionals can offer a variety of other options.
Prescription medications. They include topical steroids, antifungals or anti-bacterials.
Prescription sprays. These are topical and can be prescribed to reduce perspiration.
Electrical stimulation. This can be used to reduce perspiration.
Other Factors Linked to Foot Odor Causes.
Try to stay calm and cool because increased amounts of stress can actually lead to increased perspiration which doesn’t help anyone who is fighting odors.
Hormonal changes can cause you to sweat more, too. For this reason, teenagers and pregnant women are more prone to smelly feet,” Dr. Antonopoulos says.
Finally, a condition known as hyperhidrosis can cause more perspiration than usual in areas like the hands, underarms and feet. While people usually sweat to cool the body, those with hyperhidrosis sweat even when the body’s temperature doesn’t need to be regulated.