Nobody likes to have smelly feet. Since feet spend a lot of time inside closed, warm, moist places called shoes, a bit of foot odor is unavoidable, however. Foot odor can occur in adults and children. Treatment depends upon the causes of foot odor.
Normal Perspiration
The feet have a lot of sweat glands. According to ePodiatry, the feet have the most sweat glands in the body. When feet sweat, the perspiration is trapped inside the sock or shoe, where it does not evaporate. The sweat can interact with chemicals present in the socks or shoes, causing an odor to form. Keeping the feet clean and wearing socks and shoes made of natural materials, such as 100 percent cotton and leather, can help reduce foot odor problems due to normal sweating.
Bacterial Interactions
The feet have their own resident bacterial flora present on the skin. These normal bacteria do not usually produce a problem. According to 2006 research in the "Canadian Journal of Microbiology," some normal bacteria, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, produce a compound called isovaleric acid. Foot perspiration interacts with isovaleric acid to produce an odor. Keeping the feet clean is one way to alleviate this type of foot odor.
Fungal Infections
Fungal infections of the feet, called athlete's foot, can also be a source of foot odor. The fungi that cause athlete's foot infections thrive in warm, moist places such as shoes, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. As the feet sweat, the perspiration can combine with the fungus to produce an odor. Treatment for an athlete's foot infection consists of applying an anti-fungal cream.
Bromhidrosis/Hyperhidrosis
According to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, bromhidrosis refers to an excessive amount of odor produced on the body, including the feet. The feet contain two types of sweat glands, according to MayoClinic.com: eccrine glands and apocrine glands. The secretions from apocrine glands contain are rich in fats, which produce a bad odor when breaking down. Hyperhidrosis refers to the over-production of sweat. Excessive sweating in the feet can lead to foot odor. Bathing the feet daily with a mild soap in warm water or soaking them in Domeboro solution can help.
Poor Hygiene
Poor hygiene can produce the right conditions for bacteria and fungi to thrive, helping to create foot odor. It is important to clean the feet daily. Change into clean socks and switch shoes from day to day. According to ePodiatry, dusting the feet with an absorbent powder can help reduce the amount of moisture from sweating.
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