The smell can be awful when your child takes off his shoes after playing baseball all day long with thick socks and baseball shoes. Those stinky feet may cause you to imagine grabbing the room deodorizer and spraying directly on your child's feet, although you would never do this. A shower will serve the same purpose.
Cause
Bacteria is the cause of stinky feet in children or adults. This bacteria normally lives in dark, damp places, such as inside shoes. As your child sweats, the bacteria multiplies. The bacteria eats dead skin cells and oils from your child's skin. The bacteria's colonies grow and begin getting rid of the waste in the form of organic acids. These organic acids are the root of the bad smell.
Micrococcus Sedentarius
Some children's feet may smell worse than others. This is because, according to Kids Health, 10 percent to 15 percent of children's feet become home to a bacteria called Micrococcus sedentarius. This bacteria produces volatile sulfur compounds, in addition to the other stinky organic acids. This sulfur has a really strong odor, similar to the smell of a rotten egg.
Reducing the Smell
It is difficult to stop your child's feet from smelling altogether, but your child can cut down on the sweat and reduce the odor. It is important for your child to bathe and dry her feet every day. Wearing shoes made of cotton or special knits that absorb sweat will also help, and be sure to change shoes if they get damp. Tight shoes will make your child's feet sweat more than usual. Switching shoes each day will allow for your child's shoes to dry out and reduce the smell. At home, your child should go barefoot to let his feet dry out, especially at night.
Over-the-Counter Medications
You can buy over-the-counter foot powders to help absorb sweat. A disinfectant spray may also be applied to your child's shoes to kill the bacteria in the shoes. Setting your child's shoes in the sun will also help to dry them out and kill the bacteria.
Considerations
If your child changes shoes often and washes her feet regularly yet still has a foot odor problem, you should talk to your doctor to determine the right treatment for your child. Stinky feet is not life-threatening for your child, but may be embarrassing. If your child is embarrassed because of stinky feet, it may be a good idea for him to keep his shoes on in social situations.
