Smelly feet are an innocuous but highly embarrassing and annoying problem. Anyone who has removed his sneakers or shoes and caught a whiff of the offending odor knows someone else can smell it as well. Stinky feet can range from a mildly offensive gym sneaker odor to a more serious condition known as bromhidrosis. Bromhidrosis is the medical definition of chronic, extreme foot odor. The primary cause of foot odor -- sweat -- is related to two secondary factors that can intensify the odor.
Sweat
The foot has 250,000 sweat glands, more than any other region of the body. When the body is active, it cools itself down internally and the by-product is sweat. The bacteria emitted by the body through sweat causes odor when it collects; the more sweat, the more odor. The fabric of the shoe locks in this moisture and, while socks get washed regularly, shoes do not.
Fungus
Wet feet that do not dry are a breeding ground for fungal infection. Warm, sweaty feet and sneakers are perfect for fungal development. The sweat feeds the fungus, helping it to thrive. The fungus itself smells, as does any liquid or pus that may drain from the infected area.
Shoe Fabric
The vast majority of shoes on the market in 2010 are built in a way that promotes malodorous feet. The synthetic fabric or leather construction does not breathe or wick the sweat away, instead trapping the liquid and allowing the odor to build. The larger sneaker manufacturers now make sneakers with odor-protecting materials, including anti-bacterial and/or anti-fungal shielding, odor-reducing inserts or moisture-wicking fabric. Each of these stymies the shoe's ability to retain the odor-causing agents.
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