Sweaty, smelly feet can leave you feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable in social situations. While it's not uncommon to experience foot odor, particularly if you are exercising or participating in a sport, some people experience more odor than others. Paying attention to what you wear on your feet can help reduce odor and make you feel more confident if you must remove your shoes in public.
Identification
Foot odor can occur if your feet sweat when you wear shoes or socks made of synthetic material or if you experience excessive sweating no matter what type of shoes or socks you wear. The website ePodiatry.com reports that feet have more sweat glands than other parts of the body. Odor occurs when sweat mixes with bacteria on your feet, which produces smelly isovaleric acid. Because shoes and socks don't allow sweat to evaporate, feet are particular susceptible to developing a bad odor.
Socks
Choosing socks made of cotton, wool or other natural fibers can allow sweat to evaporate more easily. Wearing socks made of nylon, polyester or other synthetic fibers can trap sweat against the foot. KidsHealth from Nemours recommends putting on a fresh pair of socks if your socks become damp with sweat.
Shoes
Choosing natural materials when buying shoes can also help reduce sweating. Leather, canvas and other types of materials that allow feet to breathe can help reduce sweating and odor. The International Hyperhidrosis Society recommends avoiding wearing sandals made of rubber, plastic or fake leather, because these materials can cause feet to sweat even more. Using odor-absorbing shoe insoles and wearing a fresh pair of shoes every day can also reduce odor. If you wear the same pair of shoes every day, sweat inside the shoes never dries completely.
Prevention/Solution
Washing your feet with antibacterial soap every day is an important step in reducing odor. KidsHealth from Nemours reports that dipping your feet into a tub of water may be better than just letting the shower water splash on them. If your feet sweat excessively during the day, you may wish to change into a spare pair of shoes and socks when your socks and shoes become sweaty. Using foot powder or anti-perspirant on the feet can help reduce perspiration and resulting odor.
Treatment
If nothing you try helps reduce embarrassing foot odor, it may time for a visit to your doctor. Your doctor may suggest that you try a prescription-strength antiperspirant on your feet. Excessive sweating may be controlled by a water-based treatment called iontophoresis. After you place your feet in water, your doctor turns on a safe, mild electrical current. Although the process doesn't hurt, you may notice some tingling in your feet. MedlinePlus, the website from the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, reports that while it isn't known exactly how iontophoresis works, it is thought that the process somehow plugs the sweat glands and temporarily prevents sweating. Repeat treatments are needed for best results.
Member Comments