While foot odor, or bromhidrosis, is rarely of medical significance, it is an embarrassing condition for most people. The feet have more sweat glands than any other body part, and most cases of foot odor occur when sweat becomes trapped inside footwear and mixes with bacteria, according to ePodiatry. Certain medications, hormonal imbalances and stress may contribute to smelly feet.
Bathe Your Feet Frequently
Bathing your feet at least twice each day with soap and lukewarm water is generally sufficient to treat most cases of foot odor. Bathing removes sweat and dirt and prevents the growth of bacteria on your feet. Dry your feet and between your toes thoroughly after bathing to decrease the risk of developing a fungal infection, and then dust your feet with a foot powder to help control moisture throughout the day. You may need to wash your feet more than twice each day during hot weather or times of physical activity.
Change Your Socks and Shoes
Dirty or wet socks and shoes contribute to foot odor. Always put on clean socks in the morning, and change your socks after exercising or sweating. EPodiatry recommends wearing thick, natural fiber socks to help control moisture. Choose shoes made of canvas or leather to allow your feet to breathe, and avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row when possible. Allow your shoes to dry completely, preferably in the sun, if they become wet or sweaty.
Soak Your Feet
Soaking your feet in tea, kosher salt or vinegar can dry out your feet and reduce foot odor. MotherNature.com recommends boiling three tea bags in 1 quart of water for 10 minutes, allowing the water to cool, and then soaking your feet in the tea for 20 to 30 minutes, twice each day. Mixing 1/2 cup of kosher salt or 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar in 1 quart of water and then soaking your feet for 15 minutes may also be beneficial.
Try Medical Treatments
If your foot odor problem continues even after changing your socks and shoes and bathing your feet more frequently, consult a doctor for advice. Your doctor may prescribe a topical 20 percent aluminum chloride hexahydrate solution to help control excess foot sweating. Treat foot odor caused by fungal infections with an over-the-counter or prescription strength antifungal powder or spray. Iontophoresis, a procedure that uses electrical current to shut down the sweat glands in the feet, can alleviate foot odor temporarily.
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