Foot odor, like all body odor, develops from the interaction between perspiration and an excess of naturally-occurring bacteria on the skin. Feet are particularly prone to odor problems because they have more sweat glands than other parts of the body and foot sweat is so often contained by socks and shoes, notes ePodiatry.com. Fortunately, stinky feet are typically easy to remedy with some simple but consistent care measures at home.
Step 1
Wash your feet in the morning and evening with warm water and a mild antibacterial soap. This is the most fundamental step for limiting odor-causing bacteria on the foot's skin.
Step 2
Dust your feet with an over-the-counter foot powder or cornstarch before putting on footwear, suggests Columbia University. This helps keep the feet dry, providing less opportunity for sweat to interact with bacteria and produce strong odor.
Step 3
Buy socks made from natural fibers such as wool or cotton, advises MayoClinic.com. These permit the feet to breathe and absorb sweat, unlike nylon and standard synthetic materials. However, synthetic socks designed to wick moisture off the skin are available, and are a good option for when you're active or otherwise likely to perspire excessively. Change your socks periodically through the day.
Step 4
Purchase a few pairs of shoes that allow the feet to breathe. As with socks, the best choices are natural materials such as leather or canvas, says ePodiatry.com. Rotate the shoes you wear each day, giving each pair at least 24 hours to thoroughly dry out before wearing them again.
Step 5
Soak your feet every day in an odor-fighting solution. Columbia University suggests warm water with white vinegar or Epsom salts to reduce bacteria. A foot bath made from cooled-down black tea can help keep feet dry, according to Diana Bihova, M.D., a dermatology professor at New York University Medical Center.
Step 6
Apply an over-the-counter foot antiperspirant each night before going to bed. Products with aluminum chloride hexahydrate are highly effective, notes Mount Sinai Hospital podiatrist Suzanne M. Levine, D.P.M.
Step 7
Talk to your doctor about medical treatments for excessive foot perspiration. The National Institutes of Health outlines common options. Prescription-strength antiperspirants are available, as are medications such as anticholinergics. Iontophoresis is a procedure that uses electric currents to temporarily stop the sweat glands from working.
Tips and Warnings
- Sprinkle cornstarch or talcum powder in your shoes to prevent them from absorbing sweat and remaining damp, suggests Suzanne M. Levine, D.P.M., a podiatrist at Mount Sinai Hospital. Give your feet as much airing-out time as possible by going barefoot whenever you can, recommends MayoClinic.com.
- After washing or soaking your feet, make sure you completely dry your feet off, especially between the toes. The skin between the toes, when moist, is an ideal breeding ground for microorganisms, explains MayoClinic.com.
Things You'll Need
- Antibacterial soap
- Foot powder or cornstarch
- White vinegar
- Epsom salt
- Foot antiperspirant
