The Battle Against Stinky Feet

Chances are somebody you know or love suffers from stinky feet. You can hardly blame them. Did you know that between your two feet there are nearly half a million sweat glands? But your feet aren’t alone.

For example, the palms of your hands have a comparable number of tiny, sweaty pores. So why don’t our hands get that same yucky odor? Three words: Shoes and socks. Imagine those ½ a million pores on our feet, wrapped in cotton and leather, all tied up nice and tight. Naturally, with those soggy socks and sweaty toes comes inevitable odor. You might be interested to know, however, that the sweat from your feet is actually odorless.

Bacteria are really what cause the smells. Bacteria will thrive in between your toes and around the soles of your feet and are held captive by your shoes and socks. The smell starts to form when the bacteria digests the sweat. Some describe it as a sour smell or like malt vinegar or limburger cheese. Others, like my wife, describe it simply as “gross” and “unacceptable.”

So how do we battle the foot odor? Either get rid of the sweat, or get rid of the bacteria.

Here are some effective ways to cut down on foot sweat:

• In-soles: There are a number of sweat-reducing insoles available to purchase. These are often times charcoal based, and they suck the sweat right up.
• Ventilated Shoes: Wearing sandals or other open toed shoes open up air flow and reduce sweat.
• Sweat-Absorbing Socks: By wearing new, clean cotton socks, you can actually reduce sweat as the cotton acts as an absorbent.
• Air Out Your Shoes: Take some time each day to remove your shoes and socks to let your feet dry out and enjoy some air.
• Antiperspirants: Yep, you can even apply an antiperspirant to your feet.

Here are some proven methods to reduce bacteria on your feet:

• Use antibacterial soap on your feet to keep them clean.
• Be sure to frequently rotate your socks and make sure they are always clean as well.
• Wear a variety of different shoes and rotate them frequently.

If these measures are ineffective and the odor persists, then it’s probably time to consult a doctor. He or she may have other suggestions or prescriptions that could help reduce those offensive odors.