CAUSES AND REMEDIES FOR SMELLY FEET
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What makes your feet smell like that? What can you do to stop it? Do not sweat it; we’ve got the answers.
WHAT CAUSES SMELLY FEET?
You may think it is the sweat on your feet that causes foot odor, but you might be missing the full picture.
While it’s true that the sweat glands on your feet are the most active on your body — and a pair of feet can have about 250,000 glands for making sweat—sweat itself is odorless.
It is actually billions of bacteria on the skin that create bad smells.
More specifically, the gnarly smell is a biproduct of the bacteria feeding on your sweat. It just so happens that your feet provide the perfect environment for these bacteria to thrive because of moisture, warmth, oxygen, and nutrients.
On top of all that, certain activities, and situations—like damp, warm shoes, sweaty workouts, and increased stress—help these bacteria and fungi thrive and multiply. The result? Beyond funky foot odors that can clear a room.
Why do feet smell like cheese?
Well, first off, not all feet smell like cheese. Some other common smells include vinegar and cabbage. And it is all down to the chemicals produced by the bacteria down there.
For example, brevibacteria are thought to be a primary cause of foot odor, and give Limburger, Port Salut and Munster cheeses their pungent scent. This is for real, not a joke.
Methanethiol is a major component in the flavor of cheddar cheese and yet it is also created by the bacteria on your feet. And for those with a vinegary or cabbage-like aroma, the culprits are acetic, propionic and butyric acids.
The most common chemical smell associated with feet is isovaleric acid, which we would recognize as a “sweaty” scent.
Changes in the smell
It is important to be aware of any major changes in how your feet smell, as it could be a sign of more serious problems.
If your feet begin to smell grape- or bread-like, that could signal a fungal infection, which can cause rashes, skin breakage and larger wounds. It is best to seek the advice of a doctor if these smells occur.
REMEDIES FOR FOOT ODOR
Home Remedies for Stinky Feet
Here are some non-prescription suggestions to cure stinky feet.
1. Practice good foot hygiene - You must take the time to thoroughly clean your feet with soap and water, as this will help to kill some bacteria.
2. Dry your feet - Make sure to towel off feet after a shower or bath.
4. Keep feet ventilated as much as possible - when at home, walk around barefoot to facilitate
5. Try a foot spray - purchase an over-the-counter foot deodorant or antiperspirant for shoes, socks, feet and more that combine powerful anti-microbial agents to instantly wipe out the bacteria and fungus that cause funky odors. Look for ingredients, such as, clinical silver, lichen extract, tea tree leaf oil and manuka oil, as they have natural antibacterial, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties to kill and prevent future growth of the bacteria and fungus that cause odor on feet and in shoes.
6. Purchase medicated insoles - these absorb sweat and reduce unpleasant odors.
7. Wear the right socks - some socks contain chemicals that reduce bacteria load. Also, try socks with moisture-wicking fibers (pulls sweat away from the body) to increase ventilation. These include socks made of copper, wool or cool max. Avoid synthetic socks, as they do not absorb sweat very effectively.
1. Prescription medications. They include topical steroids, antifungals or antibacterials.
2. Prescription sprays. These are topical and can be prescribed to reduce perspiration.
3. Electrical stimulation. This can be used to reduce perspiration.
What makes your feet smell like that? What can you do to stop it? Do not sweat it; we’ve got the answers.
WHAT CAUSES SMELLY FEET?
You may think it is the sweat on your feet that causes foot odor, but you might be missing the full picture.
While it’s true that the sweat glands on your feet are the most active on your body — and a pair of feet can have about 250,000 glands for making sweat—sweat itself is odorless.
It is actually billions of bacteria on the skin that create bad smells.
More specifically, the gnarly smell is a biproduct of the bacteria feeding on your sweat. It just so happens that your feet provide the perfect environment for these bacteria to thrive because of moisture, warmth, oxygen, and nutrients.
On top of all that, certain activities, and situations—like damp, warm shoes, sweaty workouts, and increased stress—help these bacteria and fungi thrive and multiply. The result? Beyond funky foot odors that can clear a room.
Why do feet smell like cheese?
Well, first off, not all feet smell like cheese. Some other common smells include vinegar and cabbage. And it is all down to the chemicals produced by the bacteria down there.
For example, brevibacteria are thought to be a primary cause of foot odor, and give Limburger, Port Salut and Munster cheeses their pungent scent. This is for real, not a joke.
Methanethiol is a major component in the flavor of cheddar cheese and yet it is also created by the bacteria on your feet. And for those with a vinegary or cabbage-like aroma, the culprits are acetic, propionic and butyric acids.
The most common chemical smell associated with feet is isovaleric acid, which we would recognize as a “sweaty” scent.
Changes in the smell
It is important to be aware of any major changes in how your feet smell, as it could be a sign of more serious problems.
If your feet begin to smell grape- or bread-like, that could signal a fungal infection, which can cause rashes, skin breakage and larger wounds. It is best to seek the advice of a doctor if these smells occur.
REMEDIES FOR FOOT ODOR
So, if the issue is bacteria, what is the solution?
Home Remedies for Stinky Feet
Here are some non-prescription suggestions to cure stinky feet.
1. Practice good foot hygiene - You must take the time to thoroughly clean your feet with soap and water, as this will help to kill some bacteria.
2. Dry your feet - Make sure to towel off feet after a shower or bath.
3. Use a pumice stone to remove dead skin cells
4. Keep feet ventilated as much as possible - when at home, walk around barefoot to facilitate
evaporation of sweat, and wear open-toe shoes whenever possible.
5. Try a foot spray - purchase an over-the-counter foot deodorant or antiperspirant for shoes, socks, feet and more that combine powerful anti-microbial agents to instantly wipe out the bacteria and fungus that cause funky odors. Look for ingredients, such as, clinical silver, lichen extract, tea tree leaf oil and manuka oil, as they have natural antibacterial, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties to kill and prevent future growth of the bacteria and fungus that cause odor on feet and in shoes.
6. Purchase medicated insoles - these absorb sweat and reduce unpleasant odors.
7. Wear the right socks - some socks contain chemicals that reduce bacteria load. Also, try socks with moisture-wicking fibers (pulls sweat away from the body) to increase ventilation. These include socks made of copper, wool or cool max. Avoid synthetic socks, as they do not absorb sweat very effectively.
8. Watch your diet - eating a balanced, healthy diet will help reduce the risk of smelly feet.
Medication & Treatments for Stinky Feet
If you have tried all the above non-prescription options and nothing has worked, then contact your doctor, as they may offer a variety of other options, such as:
If you have tried all the above non-prescription options and nothing has worked, then contact your doctor, as they may offer a variety of other options, such as:
1. Prescription medications. They include topical steroids, antifungals or antibacterials.
2. Prescription sprays. These are topical and can be prescribed to reduce perspiration.
3. Electrical stimulation. This can be used to reduce perspiration.
OTHER FACTORS LINKED TO FOOT ODOR
It’s easy to say, “Try to stay calm and cool,” but increased amounts of stress can actually lead to increased perspiration—which doesn’t help anyone who is fighting odors. So try your best to reduce your stress to control food odor.
Hormonal changes can cause you to sweat more, too. For this reason, teenagers and pregnant women are more prone to smelly feet.
Finally, a condition known as hyperhidrosis can cause more perspiration than usual in areas like the hands, underarms and feet. While people usually sweat to cool the body, those with hyperhidrosis sweat even when the body’s temperature does not need to be regulated.
It’s easy to say, “Try to stay calm and cool,” but increased amounts of stress can actually lead to increased perspiration—which doesn’t help anyone who is fighting odors. So try your best to reduce your stress to control food odor.
Hormonal changes can cause you to sweat more, too. For this reason, teenagers and pregnant women are more prone to smelly feet.
Finally, a condition known as hyperhidrosis can cause more perspiration than usual in areas like the hands, underarms and feet. While people usually sweat to cool the body, those with hyperhidrosis sweat even when the body’s temperature does not need to be regulated.
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