Smelly feet have a distinctly unpleasant odor that's often compared to other pungent smells such as cheese, vinegar and sulfur. The problem begins when your feet start to perspire within the confines of your shoes. Ultimately, sweaty feet cause smelly feet -- which is why you want to think dry when tackling embarrassing foot odor.
Cause of Foot Odor
Smelly feet occur when your foot's perspiration meets the bacteria that normally reside on your skin. The dark, damp confines of enclosed shoes encourage bacterial growth. As bacteria levels continue to grow throughout the course of a day, they releases gases similar to those released during the production of cheese -- hence, that familiar cheesy smell, notes the Australian Podiatry Association. Foot odor doesn't necessarily indicate poor grooming -- you can have impeccable hygiene and still have smelly feet.
The First Step
To combat smelly feet, try to keep your feet clean and dry. The International Hyperhidrosis Society, or IHS, suggests washing your feet every day using an antibacterial deodorant soap. This reduces the number of bacteria on your skin. Dry your feet well after you bathe and put on clean, dry socks and shoes. Avoid synthetic materials that retain sweat and instead choose cotton or wool socks that let your feet breathe. As for shoes, leather is best, notes the Australian Podiatry Association. Change socks, hose and shoes whenever they get damp, even if you must do so a few times each day.
Keeping Dry
Keeping moisture under control for the duration of the day is a key to preventing foot odor. You can shake on a moisture-absorbing foot powder, and antiperspirants applied directly to the foot itself are also helpful. Dr. Dee Anna Glaser of the IHS cites a study funded by Proctor and Gamble Beauty where researchers found that using antiperspirants twice daily -- in the morning and evening -- is far more effective than using them only in the morning. However, if this poses an inconvenience, Dr. Glaser points to the study finding that antiperspirants are more effective when applied at night. Spray both the sole of your foot and in between your toes, and make sure that your skin is totally dry before you apply antiperspirant to reduce irritation.
Caring for Footwear
Sweat-soaked shoes can contribute to smelly feet. Try rotating the pairs of shoes you wear to avoid wearing the same pair of shoes in a row, as it takes more than just one night for sweaty shoes to completely dry out. Washable footwear such as tennis shoes and sneakers should be laundered in hot, soapy water and completely dried before you put them back on. The insoles in leather shoes can be washed too. Another simple trick to tackling smelly footwear is to sprinkle baking soda in your shoes and shake it out the next day. However, if you can't remove the smell from sweat-permeated socks, hose and shoes, it's likely time to toss them out and buy new ones.
See Your Physician
If you've tried everything and still can't get a handle on smelly feet, a more resistant strain of bacteria -- not the flora normally present on your feet -- may be the culprit. You may need treatment that requires the use of an oral antibiotic or a topical antibiotic medication. Talk to your doctor or podiatrist about other options.
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