Foot odor can become a problem for anyone who wears shoes on a daily basis. However, the onset of puberty often ushers in new smells in your child's feet as the sweat glands become more active, according to the Nemours Foundation. Good daily hygiene, lifestyle adjustments and simple changes to your child's footwear can help combat unpleasant foot odor.
What Causes Foot Odor
Feet smell because they're trapped inside shoes. Integrative physician Dr. Andrew Weil explains that bacteria break down the foot's sweat, which causes the offensive stink known as foot odor. The feet have some 250,000 sweat glands, Weil goes on to say, and secrete roughly a gallon of sweat each week. Bare feet that sweat are usually less of a problem, as the sweat simply evaporates. However, closed shoes create a dark, dank environment--the perfect place for bacteria to thrive. The Nemours Foundation explains that when your child reaches puberty, the sweat glands in his feet go into high gear. The chemicals secreted in this sweat contain chemicals that have a more noticeable smell.
Prevention Basics
Bathing or showering daily is the first step to getting rid of stinky feet, and reducing body odor as well. Weil advises using an antibacterial soap. This washes away the bacteria that cause stinky feet, according to MayoClinic.com. Make sure your child dries well between each toe, as this is where tiny organisms thrive. A couple of shakes of nonprescription foot powder can also help reduce stinky feet.
Your Child's Footwear
The sweat that saturates your child's shoes won't dry overnight, Weil warns. Keep your child's shoes in rotation so that the shoes he wears are always dry. Launder washable footwear, such as canvas sneakers, and make sure they're completely dry before they go back on your child's feet. Choose athletic socks designed to absorb sweat, Weil advises, or go with simple cotton socks. Make sure your child changes them frequently, or as soon as they get sweaty. Footwear should not fit too tightly, Weil says. Avoid purchasing plastic shoes for your child--instead, select footwear made of natural, breathable materials, such as leather, advises MayoClinic.com.
Other Suggestions
Let your child's toes get a little fresh air, Weil suggests. Going barefoot permits sweat to freely evaporate.
Problem Foot Odor
Between 10 and 15 percent of people have pervasively smelly feet, children included, says Weil. When the feet produce an excessive amount of sweat, certain types of bacteria overgrow, contributing to foot odor already present. If using the above strategies isn't effective in reducing your child's food odor, Weil advises seeing a doctor or podiatrist who can make medical recommendations.
Member Comments