Sweat and bacteria cause smelly feet, which can be treated with antibacterial soap, medicated foot powder, and natural materials for socks and shoes. Excessive sweating can be caused by hormonal changes, stress, and diet. Treatment options include antiperspirants, botulinum toxin injections, and nerve cutting in severe cases.
The combination of sweat and bacteria causes some people to have smelly feet, which may be bothersome enough to require medical attention. Each foot contains more than 200,000 sweat glands, more than any other place on the body. When moisture is trapped by footwear, a bacteria develops that essentially eats away dead skin cells as they slough off. This bacteria turns amino acids into a smelly substance, creating smelly feet. Some cheeses contain the same bacteria, which gives them a strong smell.
Excessive foot sweating could result from hormonal changes in the body, certain medications, stress, or diet. Teens commonly suffer from smelly feet as their bodies change during puberty, especially in young boys. This condition may resolve itself as hormone levels adjust in adulthood.
People under chronic stress might also produce more sweat. The adrenal glands in the human body release extra sweat when danger is present. Those who experience constant stress on a daily basis may suffer from smelly feet because the excess sweat on their feet cannot evaporate. Podiatrists commonly recommend reducing the amount of stress through exercise, meditation, or other methods of dealing with stress-caused foot odor.
Consuming too many refined carbohydrates could produce excessive bacteria or foot fungus, resulting in smelly feet. Doctors suggest reducing the amount of refined carbohydrates in your diet and eating more complex carbohydrates and less fat which could cause smelly feet. Limiting alcohol and tobacco use could also help.
Controlling the amount of sweat and the production of bacteria helps reduce foot odor. An antibacterial soap can be used every day to keep bacteria levels down, along with a medicated foot powder. Feet should be thoroughly dried after bathing, paying particular attention between the toes, where moisture gets trapped. Some people who suffer from smelly feet use moisture-wicking shoe inserts throughout the day.
Socks and footwear made from natural materials help reduce sweat buildup on your feet. Socks made from cotton or wool let air pass around the foot and absorb sweat, especially socks made with material that wicks moisture away from the foot. Plastic shoes create an ideal environment for moisture and bacteria to grow. Canvas or leather shoes let your foot breathe, but the same shoes shouldn’t be worn two days in a row, giving them a chance to dry completely between uses.
Treatment for smelly feet could be as simple as using a spray or roll-on antiperspirant every day. If an over-the-counter product doesn’t reduce foot odor, a doctor might prescribe a stronger antiperspirant. These products may not be an option for everyone because they produce skin irritation and redness in some people.
Another available treatment involves injecting botulinum toxin into the soles of the feet to paralyze the sweat glands. A podiatrist numbs the feet with injections near the ankle before injecting the toxin into 40 to 50 spots on the sole of each foot. Patients may feel discomfort for a few days after treatment and may notice increased sweating in the lower half of their legs. When effective, such treatment can reduce sweating for up to a year. In severe cases that don’t respond to other treatments, the nerves in the foot might be cut to stop sweat production.
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