Foot odor is one of those uncomfortable topics, that nobody really wants to discuss, but in reality most people will have to confront at some stage.
You slip off your shoes after a twelve hour day and – well, you know the rest.
Sometimes it’s truly embarrassing, and you can be surprised how quickly a problem that seems so minor can be pretty unbearable when basic washing seems to have no effect.
Fortunately this is a relatively straightforward condition, with real, workable solutions.
Knowing what’s actually causing your feet to smell in the first place helps tremendously when it comes to finding a solution.
This article explains the science behind stinky feet, looks at the most usual triggers most people fail to consider, and offers tried and tested ways of tackling the problem – whether you need to clear up mild odors, or take on a relentless daily battle.
Root Causes Behind Foot Odor Problems
Foot odor doesn’t seem to happen from the blue.
There’s a biological process behind it, and knowing how it works is helpful.
How bacteria and sweat interact
Humans sweat around 10L per foot each day, which isn’t stinky by itself.
The bacteria that live happily on your skin and digest sweat compounds into acids are responsible.
The typical odor from these bacteria, isovaleric acid, has been compared to a combination of cheese, stinky socks, and sweat.
Bacteria thrive on warm, wet conditions, so of course damp, enclosed shoes provide the perfect nature for bliss.
The more time your feet spend with heaps of moisture, the more bacteria have to work with; the result, is a smell that’s more intense.
Why some people have it worse than others
Hyperhidrosis, a condition where people sweat more than the norm, can make the actual problem of getting rid of odors much trickier to tackle.
Hormonal variations during puberty, pregnancy, or times of stress can provide an excess of stimulated sweat.
Certain foods have an unexpected impact, too; eating garlic, spices, and onions, causes more of these smells to be produced and even excreted through sweat.
Together with any rises in personal nervousness and worry, this intensifies the already huge amounts of sweat with even more.
Hyperhidrosis can make controlling smell inexplicably more difficult. Your body’s internal triggers make a real difference to the effectiveness of most remedies.
Common Foot Odor Triggers and Causes
Most people concentrate solely on cleaning their feet thoroughly when trying to counteract the foul smells, but that is actually only part of the battle.
There are several common everyday habits and habits that worsen the problem further.
How shoe choice and sock material can cause issues
Leather soles or socks made from polyester or nylon take longer to allow sweat to evaporate from your skin.
Choosing natural materials like cotton, bamboo, or wool will help the sweating process occur more naturally.
Not giving your shoes more than 24 hours rest between wearing means the sweat they absorb has nowhere to go.
This “public” shoewear will allow bacteria to flourish until you’ve got enough fresh parts of the shoe exposed to get rid of the excess.
Varying your shoe choices will actually be a huge help.
How obsessive hygiene habits you don’t think matter could be making life more difficult
Most people when washing their feet, wash some soap over them in the shower and feel like they’ve done all they need to.
That’s far from the truth.
Actual cleaning between the toes and on the sole with a washcloth or brush, actually becomes the first stage in cleaning the bacteria off that create the smell.
Drying properly afterward is equally as important; leaving your feet moist between the toes stimulates bacteria.
Regularly clipping your toenails reduces debris trapped underneath which bacteria feed on.
These simple tips seem so obvious, but they actually resolve the root cause of the actual smell and provide a significant head start.
Proven Methods for Treating Foot Odor
Treating foot odor usually involves several different techniques, but happily theyre pretty cheap too.
Topical treatments and soaks
Fish soaking feet in a mixture of vinegar and water, or tea bags, causes the surface to become more acid, which bacteria can’t function as well.
Using baking soda in a tub of water, or especially inside the shoe to absorb the moisture, is effective at neutralizing the offending acids.
A clinical grade anti-perspirant, dabbed onto the soles of the feet before going to bed, produces significant results in improving the smell.
Rather than simple deodorants, they contain aluminum compounds that effectively block the sweat glands, preventing moisture reaching the bacteria.
When should I seek professional help?
Out of all the cases of foot odor that I see, there are few that don’t benefit from some sort of home treatment.
However if your situation persists even after you’re carefully adhering to everything here, consider a visit to the doctor or podiatrist.
Sometimes foot odor is nothing to do with hygiene or sweating, but with skin infections of the bacterial or fungal variety, which simply need treatment first.
If there’s any discomfort or evidence of skin change, seek help.
There are countless simple things you can do to beat that grin-inducing foul smell of your feet once you understand the causes.
And for the occasional stubborn case, a doctor can check for an underlying condition that can be treated as well. Small, regular steps work best than occasional big pushes so if you can get these habits to be part of your daily routine the benefit can last a lifetime.