Smelly Feet

Smelly Feet






Our body is filled with countless sweat glands and it is because of this sweat there is bad smell in our feet. You have over 250,000 sweat glands in your body and believe it or not, your foot is the part that sweats the most in your entire body. However sweat does not smell on its own because it is just a combination of salt and water. When the bacteria invade on your foot, it produces that strong odor.

Bacteria grow rapidly on moist areas and hence the area of moisture gives room for large number of bacteria in your feet. Sweat attracts bacteria which in turn feed fully on the moisture of sweat. Normally sweat glands are present on the entire skin surface but it escapes easily into the air when it comes to hands or face. However your feet is wholly covered by shoes and socks and hence there is no space for the sweat to escape and hence the bacteria grow at faster pace than other parts. Lots of sweat particles get collected on your socks and shoes.

Causes of Smelly Feet :

Sweat is the real cause of smelly feet. But it is the bacteria that dwell on the sweat which gives bad smell to your feet. Further since bacteria is tied up inside the socks and shoes and hence they excrete a lot inside causing bad odor. Primarily the waste material excreted from bacteria are organic acids hence they emit a strong odor causing bad smelly feet.

It is easy to get rid of smelly feet, provided you take little care and change your daily routine.

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Treatment :

First of all, you need to approach this issue of bad smell on scientific basis. All of us do sweat in our feet and there are some people who have a worse smell than others and that is what makes the difference.

• You need to wash the feet thoroughly using antibacterial soap.


• And give some time to dry the feet completely and do not hasten to wear your shoes on the wet feet.


• It is very important that you should have dry feet completely free from moisture.


• Use only cotton socks which can easily absorb moisture and never use synthetic socks.


• Have a pair of shoes handy so that you can exchange them for every alternate day.


• You can apply foot powder in the shoes which can facilitate absorption of moisture, thus reducing odor.


• You can walk barefoot inside home, so that there would be less moisture and no bacterial growth on your feet.

There are hundreds of simple home remedies for treating smelly feet, and in case you don’t get good response, you can visit your doctor. He may suggest some disinfectant or foot powder for complete cure.

Smelly Feet – Causes, Cure, Remedies

Smelly Feet – Causes, Cure, Remedies

Smelly Feet Causes

Contributing to the causes of smelly feet beside waste products from bacteria includes skin disorders, conditions in the environment as well as hygiene habits. The smelly odor is isovaleric acid and the more moisture, the more bacteria will produce this waste product and the worse the odor will become. Several of the conditions that contribute to making the odor worse are listed below:

• Outdoor or indoor temperatures may add to the sweating of the feet particularly when the individual dresses in thick heavy shoes and socks.


• Wearing shoes and socks which are made from fibers that are synthetic for instance nylon or pleather trap moisture around the feet and also promotes odors.


• Additionally, when an individual is stressed, the glands of the skin known as apocrine glands release a fatty matter into the sweat, which is also digested by bacteria and resulting in waste products with a smelly odor.


• Wearing the same shoes cause odors and moistures to stay due to the fact that the shoes don’t have enough time between uses to dry out.


• Bathing or showering infrequently allows fuzz, dirt as well as dead skin to gather on the feet and helps to also feed the bacteria that cause feet to be smelly.


• Wearing socks and shoes all day traps moisture between the toes and lets bacteria build up and this also causes odors.


• Hyperhidrosis is the term referring to Excessive Sweating. This is a condition that is common in males and it can affect the feet and also add to the obstinate smelly odor of the feet.

No matter what is contributing to the feet being excessively smelly it should be taken seriously as some of these problems can cause fungal infections which will make the matter even worse. The problem can be cured as there are many solutions but the individual needs to take the problem seriously.

Smelly Feet Remedies and Cure

Isovaeria acid or smelly feet can be controlled by using a few natural measures of prevention. Good foot hygiene also helps to keep the bacteria levels low and they include:

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• Use insoles that are made especially to combat smelly feet. They can be found at any drug or grocery store.


• Dry feet completely.


• Wear socks when wearing closed shoes.


• Change socks as well as shoes daily.


• Do not wear plastic shoes or nylon socks.


• Bathe the feet daily with mild soap and water that is warm.


• In cases that are extreme, apply ointment that is anti-bacterial.


• Let shoes air out for 24 hours or more between wearing them.


• Wear shoes that are made of canvas, mesh, leather or other substance which allow the feet to breathe.


• Dust the feet regularly with foot powder or baby powder.

Essential oils such as sage, bergamot, lavender as well as tea tree are great for Foot Odor. The have anti-bacterial properties so applying one of these oils to your feet each day work wonders.

Drink lots of water as water flushes out toxic material from the body and allows the organs to remain hydrate. Also fruit or vegetable juices are great antioxidant.

Several natural cures or preventions work great and they include:

• Soak the feet in 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water for 30 minutes a day for a week.


• Soak feet in strong black tea for 30 minutes a day as the tannic acid in the tea will kill the bacteria as well as close the pores. Use 2 tea bags per 1 pint of water and boil that for 15 minutes. Then add 2 quarts of cool water and soak the feet in the cooled tea solution.


• Green tea is also good for killing bacteria


• A common reason for smelly feet is zinc deficiency so zinc supplements are often recommended by doctors at 50 mg per day. Consume lots of foods that have zinc in them, including walnuts, peas, dairy products, lima beans, ginger or cashews.