Foot odor is a universal problem faced by nearly everyone and the condition is fueled by the large amount of sweating that happens with your feet. Your feet have more sweat glands than any other part of your body, with each foot containing nearly a quarter of a million of them!

This constant production of moisture is the ideal environment for the unchecked growth of bacteria and other microorganisms that feed on the sweat. It is the byproducts of this decomposition process that cause these horrible odors.

3 of the causes of smelly feet include:

  1. Sweat and bacteria—Your sweat isn’t the actual cause of the smell, but the bacteria that feed on the sweat molecules turn it into something with a bad smell. Switching shoes and drying out your shoes between wearings can starve and kill the bacteria and decrease the smell.
  2. Skin and nail fungus—Fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and fungal nail infections also contribute to foot odor.
  3. Hyperhidrosis—This is a condition that causes extreme sweating of the palms, underarms, and soles of the feet, increasing the likelihood of developing foot odor.

3 tips to keep your feet smelling better include the following:

  1. Keep your feet clean and dry—Wash your feet daily with an antibacterial soap to keep bacteria under control and to remove dead skin cells. Dry your feet carefully and use rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball to help dry out wetter areas such as the space between your toes.
  2. Breathable footwear—Leather, canvas are excellent materials for footwear since they allow air to circulate, which will help to keep your feet dryer and more bug resistant.
  3. Foot soaks—Soaking your feet in warm, soapy water will obviously make your feet smell better, especially when you add some tea tree oil, black tea, or apple cider vinegar to the mix.

See your podiatrist to determine if your foot odor may be caused by an underlying condition. At Podiatry Center of New Jersey, Dr. Russell Samofal treats a variety of conditions such as sports injuries, diabetic foot problems, pediatric foot conditions, toe deformities, arthritis, nail fungus, arch problems and heel pain. Equipped with advanced technologies and a dedicated staff, Podiatry Center of New Jersey provides individualized high quality care for patients all across Morris, Passaic, Bergen and Essex counties. For all your foot and ankle problems, contact our Wayne office at (973) 925-4111 for an appointment.