Stopping Smelly Feet in its Tracks

It’s a subject that is not often discussed and one which could quickly cause your hands to cover your nose. Smelly feet after all is not a pleasant subject but can be a cause of concern especially for the people around you.

Why do you have smelly feet?

Smelly feet or foul smelling feet can happen to anyone. It is mainly caused by heavy perspiration in the feet. Sweat accumulates in the sock and shoes giving bacteria and fungus a perfect environment to grow in. Bacteria and fungus are responsible for giving your feet this foul odor.

The feet contains more sweat glands than anywhere else in our body. Our sweat glands play an important role in regulating temperature and keeping our skin soft. But unlike other sweat glands, those located in the feet constantly secrete sweat.

Smelly feet can be an indication of a bacterial infection. And this could be a cause of concern for diabetics. When this happens consult a podiatrist for early treatment.

How to prevent smelly feet

Poor personal hygiene is responsible for cases of foul smelling feet. We can’t stop our feet from sweating but good hygiene keeps sweat from becoming a source of nutrients for bacteria and other infections.

Change your shoes regularly. Buy a couple of office shoes that you could alternate accordingly. Make washing your shoes regularly part of your weekly routine. Letting it air out for a few days before using it again keeps it fresh smelling.

Sweating is normal but some people suffer from excessive sweating. This condition is referred to as hyperhidrosis.

The same goes for your socks. If you are a heavy sweater, bringing an extra pair and doing a quick change keeps your feet and shoes dry. If you’re planning to head out to the gym in the afternoon bringing an extra pair of socks would be a good idea.

Teenagers might notice that their feet tend to be smelly at this age. This is because of the hormonal changes occurring at his stage of our life. We tend to start sweating heavily during our teenage years.

Visit a podiatrist if smelly feet remains to be a problem. Contact Podiatry Group of Annapolis and let us help with all your foot and ankle needs. Dr. James Mckee and Dr. Adam Weaver are experienced and dedicated podiatrists who provide high-quality individualized care. Call us today at 410-224-4448 or visit us online to make an appointment at our conveniently located Annapolis office.