Smelly Foot
A Complete Guide to the Problem of a Smelly Foot
Widely considered an unpleasant occurrence, the problem of a smelly foot or feet can be easily treated. Hygiene is the beginning and can help to prevent odor, but often smelly feet occur for a different reason.
When your feet sweat due to exterior heat or exercise, it creates an optimum environment for the growth of bacteria. Your foot is covered with sweat glands and when perspiration combines with the bacteria growing there it creates a smell. Eliminate or reduce the amount of sweat and you will likely reduce the odor.
A particular bacterium called Brevibacteria are often present on our feet, as they feed off of the dead skin on the soles of our feet and between our toes. Sloughing or using pumice can help to reduce that dead skin on the sole and eliminate some of their food source. This bacterium has a distinct odor that is reminiscent of cheese. That could be because it is the same bacteria responsible for the aroma of Limburger and Muenster cheese.
If you smell a sharp vinegar odor, the presence of Propionibacteria is likely to blame. This bacteria produces propanoic acid, a byproduct similar in smell to acetic acid, which gives vinegar its distinct odor.
What can you do to prevent having a smelly foot or feet? Limit the amount of sweat on your feet first. Wear shoes with good ventilation and have regular times of the day when you don’t wear shoes at all, such as in your home. Rotate the shoes that you wear, perhaps on a weekly basis. Also choose a good quality cotton sock over one made with polyester or nylon. Those products don’t breathe as well and cotton is more absorbent to help wick away the sweat as it surfaces.
If you have excessive hair on your toes, consider trimming it regularly. The hair gives the bacteria more surface area to thrive on. Eliminating additional living space for the bacteria will help to reduce odor. Also frequently washing your feet, especially the soles and between the toes to rub away the dead skin will help. Now you’re also eliminating the food source.
If you already suffer from smelly foot or feet, try applying a common household ingredient to your feet and footwear. Baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) is useful for making the bacteria miserable, changing the environment so that they cannot thrive. This will eliminate the odor within a matter of days.
Sprinkle a few pinches of sodium bicarbonate onto your feet and a few more into your footwear every day, especially after bathing or showering. There are plenty of choices of odor-reducing powders or odor fighting products, but sodium bicarbonate will perform just as well for a fraction of the cost. Use it for two to three days before you should expect noticeable results.
Another effective but perhaps less popular method of treatment uses Zinc or Castor oil cream (such as in diaper cream). If you liberally apply one of these creams on your feet after bathing, you are creating a barrier against the bacteria. Your feet will dry, making them less hospitable to bacteria growth. Use the cream for eight to ten days before expecting results. Afterwards use it weekly to prevent reoccurrence.
In history, products such as allspice have been used to combat foot odor. Also insoles in various materials, from cedar to charcoal, were used as a way to fight odor and keep the foot dry. Currently, some insoles have odor eating qualities built right in. Use these products to prevent smelly foot, but don’t count on them to relieve the problem once it has taken over.
Combating and preventing the problem of a smelly foot consists of many different strategies. Eliminate living space and food for bacteria, keep your feet dry and well ventilated and practice good hygiene. The problem of smelly feet should eventually float away.