How to Identify & Treat Smelly Feet

Foot odor can be an embarrassing and sometimes uncomfortable problem for many people.  However, understanding the problem and taking some simple measures can help.

Causes of Smelly Feet

Smelly feet can be caused by a multitude of factors. The most common cause of foot odor is related to sweat; thousands of sweat glands in the foot produce sweat. Although sweat is odorless, the combination of sweat and shoes or socks creates a warm, moist environment that allows bacteria on our skin to proliferate, producing a bad-smelling substance called isovaleric acid.

Foot odor increases when factors cause more sweating, such as wearing shoes and/or socks with inadequate air ventilation for many hours. Hair on your feet can intensify odor by adding increased surface area, in which bacteria can thrive.

Home Remedies for Smelly Feet

A common, safe, and generally effective home remedy for preventing foot odor is to soak your feet every day for a week in strong black tea for 30 minutes. Add two tea bags to a pint of water. Boil it for 10-15 minutes. Then add two quarts of cool water, and soak your feet in the cool solution.

An acid called tannic acid, present in the black tea, kills bacteria and closes your pores.  This is an easy way to keep your feet dry for a long time, preventing sweating.  Alternatively, soak your feet in a solution of 1 part vinegar, 2 parts water.

If these self-care and preventative measures for smelly feet don’t help you, consult a professional for further investigation. Persistence of this condition could be due to a low-grade infection or hereditary condition, which should be addressed by a foot professional, such as a podiatrist within a foot and ankle practice.