While a little foot odor after exercise is normal, smelly feet may indicate a more serious problem. Fungus and bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments and create foul odors.
Wash your feet every day, and be sure to dry them thoroughly-especially between the toes. Wear breathable socks and shoes made from natural materials like cotton. Use foot powder and antiperspirants to control excessive sweating.
Wear the Right Socks
The feet are a hotbed for odor-causing bacteria. The foot’s sweat glands produce a lot of fluid, and the confined environment of shoes prevents this moisture from evaporating. When these bacteria mix with the foot’s natural odor, it creates an unpleasant smell.
The good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce foot odor. A simple, consistent routine can help you have fresher, odor-free feet.
Washing your feet daily — especially between the toes — helps remove bacteria and dead skin cells that can cause odor. Thoroughly drying your feet after washing them is important to help control odor. Using a foot antiperspirant can also be helpful, as well as regular salt soaks. Some people find iontophoresis, a treatment that uses a mild electric current applied to the foot, effective in controlling foot odor as well.
Wearing socks made of moisture-wicking fabrics such as bamboo, merino wool or polyester can keep your feet cool and dry while reducing odor. Also, look for a sock with built-in antimicrobial properties. For example, socks endorsed by parkrun, the world’s largest grassroots running event, are specially designed to help you run faster and farther while reducing your sweat, preventing smelly feet and keeping your feet blister-free. A light dusting of nonmedicated foot powder or cornstarch may help with odor control as well.
Soak Your Feet
Your feet have more sweat glands than any other part of the body, and they can get very smelly as a result. Foot odor develops because shoes and socks trap perspiration between the toes. When bacteria and fungi grow in that warm, dark environment, the result is unpleasant odor. Excessive perspiration is often caused by an inherited condition called hyperhidrosis. However, stress, certain medications, fluid intake and hormone changes can also increase sweating.
A foot soak can help treat smelly feet by making the skin less hospitable to bacteria and fungi. Vinegar, in particular, has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. In a vinegar-water solution, the acetic acid in the vinegar starves bacteria and fungi of their nutrients, helping to control smelly feet.
Other ingredients that can be added to a foot soak to encourage healthy, fresh-smelling skin include baking soda, Epsom salt and tea tree oil. Baking soda can be especially effective because it has a deodorizing effect. When combined with a scrub or pumice, it can help remove dead skin cells, which in turn reduces the build-up of odor-causing bacteria. Epsom salt helps remineralize the skin and is a good choice for people with dry feet. And, finally, tea tree oil can be very effective in preventing or treating toenail fungus. Its antifungal properties make it a perfect addition to any soak.
Change Your Shoes
Foot odor is caused by the interaction between perspiration and bacteria that thrive in shoes and socks. Sweat itself doesn’t smell, but the bacteria that feed on it produce a series of organic acids that have a strong odor, such as methanethiol, isovaleric acid and propanoic acid. These byproducts are a result of the bacteria’s digestive process. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce stinky feet and keep your shoes smelling fresh.
Start by washing your feet every day with soap and water, then dry them thoroughly-especially between your toes. Next, apply an over-the-counter foot antiperspirant (with aluminum chloride hexahydrate) to help control sweating, and change your socks daily. Moisture-wicking socks are best, as are those made from cotton and wool.
You should also change your shoes at least once a day, and allow them to fully air out between wears. In addition, a general-purpose disinfectant spray can be used to deodorize your shoes and kill the bacteria that cause odors. A general kitchen spray that contains ethanol and other sanitizing ingredients is ideal, but you can also try dropping a bar of soap into your shoes overnight. The soap will kill the bacteria and leave your shoes with a clean, fresh scent. Just be sure to wipe down the inside of your shoe with a damp cloth or paper towel before using this home remedy.
See Your Podiatrist
If you’re finding that your feet smell even after you wash, dry and slather on deodorizing sprays or powders, there may be an underlying problem that needs to be addressed. Persistent foot odor can indicate an infection, especially fungal infections like athlete’s foot or a yeast infection such as bromodosis. Sometimes, hormones play a role as well. If you are experiencing foot odor that doesn’t respond to at-home treatments, it is best to consult with a podiatrist as soon as possible.
A podiatrist can conduct a physical examination of the skin and toenails to look for signs of infection or any other problems that might be contributing to the odor. They can also recommend prescription-strength medications and sprays that specifically target bacteria or fungi. They can also advise patients on how to prevent fungi from growing, such as by wearing socks made from materials that wick away sweat and improve ventilation, and by applying a topical antifungal medication twice daily to the affected areas. For those with hyperhidrosis, they can offer electrical stimulation treatment or injections such as Botox to block the nerves that trigger excessive sweating.
Your feet are complex anatomical structures that deserve expert care. A podiatrist has completed years of rigorous medical school and hospital-based residency training, making them uniquely qualified to care for the foot and ankle. Find an APMA member podiatrist near you to treat any issues with your feet and ankles, including discolored nails or skin, pain, foot injuries, and odor.