Do you notice your feet smelling insanely bad when you take off your shoes? Don’t feel embarrassed about it, as you are not alone. Having stinky feet is a common problem, especially for the ones who suffer from hyperhidrosis, i.e., excessive sweating. 

The Institute for Preventive Food Health reports that approximately 16% of individuals aged 21 and more in the U.S. experience the problem with foot odour. In this article, you will learn why your feel stinks, the role of hyperhidrosis in foot odour, and tips to get rid of smelly feet. 

Why Does Your Feet Smell?

Now that your feet have around 250,00 sweat glands, it’s no surprise they get sweaty quickly, regardless of the weather. When your feet sweat, your skin gets wet, creating a perfect environment for bacteria to accumulate. Wearing shoes and socks can trap the sweat and bacteria, making you feel stinky. 

Bacteria accumulates on the shoes, socks, and your skin, and the multiplied bacteria can further feed on dead skin cells and oil on your feet. Furthermore, the bacteria creates an acid that leads to stinky odour. 

Hyperhidrosis: Knowing its Role in Stimulating Foot Odour 

Smelly feet can occur alone, but some people experience worse foot odour due to certain conditions. One such condition is hyperhidrosis. It’s a medical condition that leads to excessive sweating. 

People usually suffer from hyperhidrosis when their bodies sweat more than they need to regulate their temperature. Your body might sweat even in cold temperatures, when at rest, or randomly at times when a normal person usually doesn't sweat. Basically, this medical condition occurs due to overworking of sweat glands.

Hyperhidrosis can cause your feet to sweat severely, leading to smelly foot odour in any season- not just during blazing hot months.

Knowing the Other Causes of Stinky Feet

Aside from bacteria and hyperhidrosis, you can experience smelly feet due to the following reasons:

• Bad-smelling fungi, also called athlete’s foot
• Poor hygiene
• Certain diseases
• Wearing the same shoes every day
• Wearing shoes that are too small or tight 
• Standing on your feet for long periods

What Can You Do About Food Odour?

There are many things you can try at your home to get rid of the foot odour caused by excessive sweating, bacteria, fungi, or any other reasons:

• Soak Your Feet in Salt Water

If your feet' odour is noticeable, you should try soaking them in salt water as a part of your exfoliating routine to give them a deep cleaning. All you need to do is mix half a cup of Epsom salt in a tub of warm water. Dip your feet in the warm, salty water, soak them for 10 to 20 minutes, and finally, dry them thoroughly. 

• Soak Your Feet in Vinegar Water

You can try soaking your feet in warm vinegar water besides salt soak. You just need to add one part of vinegar to two parts of warm water. Moreover, you can use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar in the tub. It’s recommended to soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes.

You should avoid vinegar soak if having cuts, scratches, or sores, as the vinegar can cause irritation to open areas of your skin. 

• Exfoliate Your Feet

Exfoliating feet is another appropriate method to prevent smelly feet. You can use a pumice stone or scrub to remove dead skin cells on which bacteria usually feed. If you have stinky feet, use a pumice stone twice or thrice weekly to avoid buildup. 

In addition to exfoliation, you should be mindful to wash your feet regularly with antibacterial soap while paying more attention to the areas between your toes. 

• Keep Your Feet Dry

Bacteria and fungi thrive in moist areas. So, the best way to cut back on foot odour is to keep your feet dry. When at home, remove shoes and socks to allow your feet to get fresh air.

If experiencing excessive sweating on your feet, consider applying talcum powder to them to soak up the sweat or wetness. Alternatively, you can also use an antiperspirant on the bottom of your feet. 

• Practice Good Hygiene

For those with smelly feet, washing them daily when showering is the convenient solution. After scrubbing them in a tub full of warm water, dry them thoroughly, including between the toes. 

Moreover, clean and trim your toenails and file off any dead skin on your feet. Doing this will help reduce the chances of bacteria living on your feet.

• Wear Socks

If you need to wear shoes, it’s advisable to wear socks along with them to address stinky feet and reduce the possibility of sweaty feet. Get your hands on the socks made from sweat-wicking material, as they can absorb sweat and mitigate odours effectively.

Since socks are easy to change, wearing them can help reduce the foul odours that might otherwise linger inside your shoes. 

• Take Care of Your Footwear

To prevent your feet from severely sweating, wear shoes that offer breathability. You should purchase shoes that feature mesh panels as they allow for breathability. 

In addition, you should give some time to the shoes between wears to dry out fully so you can cut down on foul feet' odour. Wear one pair of shoes one day and change them with another pair the next day to give them enough time to dry. 

Concluding Words

Sweaty and stinky feet can make a person uncomfortable and embarrassed in public. Although following the above-listed tips can help cut down on foul foot odour, you might need to consult a healthcare professional sometimes. 

Do you suddenly experience excessive sweating and smelly feet? Do you notice the signs of wounds, redness, or swelling? If yes, book an appointment with Medanta specialists for professional medical help.