The Daily Insight.

Connected.Informed.Engaged.

general

What causes feet to smell so bad

By Emily Sparks

Bromodosis

How do you cure stinky feet?

  1. Be clean. Wash your feet every day. …
  2. Wear the right socks. Cotton, some wools, and special knits made for athletes will absorb sweat and allow your feet to breathe. …
  3. Make sure your shoes aren’t too tight. …
  4. Switch shoes. …
  5. Kill those germs. …
  6. Wash shoes or insoles. …
  7. Avoid shoes made of plastic. …
  8. Go barefoot.

What home remedy can I use for smelly feet?

  1. Wash your feet twice a day with antibacterial soap.
  2. After a bath, use a cotton swab to dab between the toes with rubbing alcohol.
  3. Soak your feet in salt water or baking soda.
  4. Bathe your feet in vinegar.
  5. Clean and scrub feet with a pumice stone.
  6. Sprinkle corn starch into your socks.

Why my feet smell so bad?

Causes of Stinky Feet There are many kinds of bacteria on the bottom of your feet. These bacteria live off the sweat that your feet are constantly producing. When they feed on the sweat, the bacteria create an acid that causes foot odor. Besides bacteria, fungus may also cause you to have smelly feet.

Why do my feet stink after wearing shoes?

Wearing shoes and socks traps sweat and bacteria, often making foot odor worse. Bacteria collect in your shoes, socks, and on your skin. The bacteria multiply, eating the dead skin cells and oil that are on your feet. As the bacteria breaks down, it releases a smelly odor.

Why do my feet smell even after I wash them?

It’s due to a buildup of sweat, which results bacteria growth on the skin. These bacteria cause bad odors. Fungal infections like athlete’s foot can also lead to bromodosis. The good news is that bromodosis is easy, quick, and inexpensive to treat.

How do I stop my socks from smelling?

  1. Keep them clean. Scrub your feet each day. …
  2. Have a soak. If soap and water just aren’t enough, try soaking your feet once a week for up to 20 minutes. …
  3. Stay dry. …
  4. Air them out. …
  5. Use disinfectant. …
  6. Try essential oils.

How do you get rid of stinky feet overnight?

When untreated foot odor takes over favorite shoes, freshen them up by sprinkling a little baking soda on the insoles to dry up any residual moisture. Leave the baking soda in overnight, and then pour it out in the morning. Newspapers rolled up and left in a stinky shoe is also known to work well at absorbing odors.

Can I use deodorant on my feet?

Antiperspirants are considered the first line of treatment for excessive sweating and can be used nearly anywhere on the body where sweating is a problem. That’s right, antiperspirants are not just for your underarms – you can use them on your hands, feet, face, back, chest, and even groin.

How do I stop my feet from smelling in the winter?

Be sure to change your layers of socks often if you tend to sweat a lot and wear socks that will wick moisture away, keep your feet cool and neutralize odors. Exfoliate your feet using a pumice stone, dry brush, or loofah to remove dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin to keep your feet clean and odor-free.

Article first time published on

Why do my feet smell like poop?

“The primary cause is from a lack of ventilation for your feet. There are thousands of sweat glands in feet, which produce quite a bit of sweat each day. The unpleasant smell comes when the perspiration isn’t allowed to evaporate.”

Does everyone's feet smell?

Not everyone grows out of it, but many do,” Dr. Andersen says. Those who haven’t outgrown smelly feet likely won’t cure the problem, but they can hold the stink in check.

How do you get rid of shoe odor fast?

Fill two socks with baking soda, tie them off at the top, and slip one sock in each shoe. Let them sit overnight. To get rid of odor-causing bacteria and fungus, spray the shoe’s interior with disinfecting spray like Lysol. You can also sprinkle foot powder or baking powder inside for similar effects.

What home remedy is good for sweaty feet?

Baking soda can prove to be an effective remedy for sweaty hands and feet because of its alkaline nature. Take two to three tablespoons of baking soda and mix it in warm water. Now, dip your hands or feet in it for 20 to 30 minutes.

Does baking soda help smelly feet?

Baking soda Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is used in many beauty hacks. It reduces the bacteria and gets rid of the smell. Add one tablespoon of soda for every liter of water. Soak your feet in this solution for about 20 minutes.

What kind of socks are good for sweaty feet?

“Moisture-wicking fabrics include polyester, merino wool, and nylon [and they] allow the sweat to evaporate so the socks can dry faster.” Other moisture-wicking materials include Lycra and CoolMax technology fabrics, which are a combination of spandex, wool, or cotton.

Why does it smell when I open my legs?

Sweating. Sweating in the groin area can attract fungus and bacteria that can lead to a bad smell. Showering after exercise or athletic activity can help reduce the bad-smelling effects of smells related to sweating. Putting on clean, dry clothes after a sweat session can also help.

What makes your feet smell like cat pee?

The source of the nasty smell in cat urine is volatile sulfur compounds. Bacteria that colonize some people’s feet also produce sulfur compounds.

Why does my husband smell like metal?

Key takeaways. A metallic smell on your body is typically a type of body odor triggered by handling copper or other metals. It can also result from your body burning protein rather than glucose during a workout.

What is the best shoe deodorizer?

  • Best Overall Shoe Deodorizer: Poo-Pourri Shoe Odor Eliminating Spray.
  • Best Value Shoe Deodorizer: Arm and Hammer Pure Baking Soda Shaker.
  • Best Charcoal Shoe Deodorizer: Marsheepy Charcoal Shoe Deodorizer Bags.
  • Best Shoe Deodorizer Balls: Arm and Hammer Odor Busterz Balls.

Can I wear my shoes with baking soda in them?

To minimize shoe odors, after each wearing, put a sachet of baking soda inside each of the shoes to absorb the odors until you’re ready to wear them again.

How do you stop your shoes from smelling?

  1. Wash Your Shoes and Insoles. …
  2. Wear Sweat-Wicking Socks to Keep Feet and Shoes Drier. …
  3. Dry Your Shoes Between Wearings. …
  4. Copper Sole Socks Inhibit Smelly Microbes. …
  5. Medicated Foot Powder. …
  6. Shoe and Sandal Disinfectant. …
  7. Sole Socks or Washable Insoles.