Sweat plus bacteria equals a bad smell. You have a larger number of sweat glands on your feet than any other location on your body, according to ePodiatry.com, a podiatry news and information website. When wearing shoes and socks, the sweat on your feet cannot evaporate, compounding the problem. But techniques and treatments are available to reduce foot perspiration and odor.
Clean and Dry
Keeping your feet clean and dry can help to ward off odor-producing organisms. You should clean your feet every day with an antibacterial soap, according to Skatelog.com, a site for inline skaters and quad roller skaters, who deal with their share of foot perspiration and odor. Dry them completely. Wear socks and change them often. Otherwise, dead skin cells can build up in your shoes and promote bacterial growth. Sprinkling talcum powder, baking soda or a foot powder into your socks can also promote dryness.
Antibiotics
To kill bacteria, your doctor can prescribe an antibiotic to be applied on the skin as a cream or ointment or to be taken orally. Commonly ordered are 2 percent erythromycin and 1 percent clindamycin, according to Skatelog.com.
Foot Baths
Soaking your feet can help reduce odor. One option is acetic acid, also known as vinegar. Such a treatment can help temporarily dry up sweat glands, according to Skatelog.com. Another idea is a combination of cool water and black tea. The premise is that the tannin in the tea causes a temporary shutdown of the sweat glands.
Iontophoresis
Iontophoresis involves passing a light electrical current through the skin's surface. It might work by thickening the topmost layer of skin, preventing sweat from reaching the surface, according to the International Hyperhidrosis Society. The results on an iontophoresis device last a few weeks, according to ePodiatry.com, a podiatry news and information website. A schedule ranging from once a week to once every four weeks is generally necessary for iontophoresis.
Surgery
If you have severe foot sweating and odor, surgery is a possibility. A surgeon, for the most severe cases of hyperhidrosis, can cut the nerve that regulates sweat production, according to Fox Mill Foot and Ankle Center in Reston, Va. But sometimes after the operation, the body compensates by producing more sweat in other areas.
