Have you ever wondered why do some people’s feet smell? Have you ever wondered how you can take care of your smelly feet? Well lucky for you, as a foot doctor I have an answer to both questions.Have you ever wondered why do some people’s feet smell? Have you ever wondered how you can take care of your smelly feet?  Well lucky for you, as a foot doctor I have an answer to both questions. Foot odor, classically known as plantar bromohidrosis, is a secondary effect of direct bacterial action on sweat-softened skin.  This bacterial action produces isovaleric acid, the substance associated with foot odor. Other reasons that can cause foot odor is an actual infection of the foot.  The infection can be due to bacteria or fungus.  Bacterial foot infections are very common in diabetics.  Unfortunately the foot odor in uncontrolled diabetics is usually how they find out they have an infection. Their neuropathy (loss of sensation in the extremities) is preventing them from feeling pain, the average person will probably experience pain along with swelling and redness. Foot odor can be due to athlete’s foot.  Fungus love those dark moist areas so always make sure you dry in between your toes well before putting on your shoes. Some treatments for smelly feet are:

• frequent washing
• foot powders
• changing shoes and socks often
• wear cotton socks. Cotton allows your feet to breathe letting your feet air out and also airing out your shoes
• soaking feet in black tea; two tea bags in 1 pint of boiling water for 15 minutes, the tea is added to 2 quarts of cool water and the feet are soaked for 20-30 minutes
• soaking the feet a solution of one part apple cider vinegar to two parts water
• for the foot infections, PLEASE GO SEE A FOOT SPECIALIST!!!

So if you have persistent smelly feet go visit your nearest Podiatrist and they can assist you in taking care of this problem.