Smelly, sweaty feet can be an embarrassing social problem, but it does not have to be. There are many simple treatments that can control the smell and amount of sweat your feet produce and leave you feeling confident to wear those open toed shoes you love.
After all the feet have 250,000 sweat glands and produce approximately one cup a day of sweat. Add this to a enclosed shoe that is dark, warm and moist and this can be enough to cause the natural bacteria and fungus on our skin to produce an offensive odour.
Causes of Smelly Feet:
- Skin conditions such as tinea.
- Synthetic socks (nylon, lycra) or shoes that do not allow your feet to breathe.
- Excessive sweating of the feet (over reactive sympathetic nervous system).
- Poor hygiene.
- Certain medications/ hormonal changes.
Treatment for Smelly Feet:
- Socks made of natural fibers (cotton or wool) to absorb sweat and let your feet breathe.
- Socks with shoes when necessary.
- Change socks daily or twice daily.
- Leather upper shoes, avoiding synthetic footwear.
- Treat any fungal infections or bacterial infection.
- Use antiseptic soaps and washing powder.
- Odour controlling antibacterial spray for your feet and shoes.
- Trial deodorant sprays on feet.
- Allow your shoes to dry outside at night or alternate between shoes to allow them to dry thoroughly.
- Regular foot baths with tea tree oil and removal of dry dead skin.
- Washing and drying thoroughly in-between toes.
- Surgical procedures to control the amount of sweat your sympathetic nervous system produces.
Well Heeled Podiatry can help you find the reason behind your sweaty, smelly feet and assist in the treatment and prevention of this embarrassing condition.
They will also provide advice and treatment for any secondary foot conditions that may occur, such as the related topics below.
