Foot Odor - Smelly Feet Problem
Foot odor is a kind of thick, often ‘cheesy’ body odor affecting the feet. In some cases, the smell can be similar to the smell of ammonia.
Smelly feet are generally caused by brevibacteria, which consume the feet’s dead skin. Brevibacteria is especially active between the toes and on the soles of the feet. They convert methionine (an amino acid) to methanethiol (which is characterized by a sulfuric odor). Brevibacteria is the same bacteria that cause some kinds of cheese to be pungent.
Sweaty Feet Signs and Symptoms
Sweaty feet are not always smelly, but they are more prone to being so. The feet of a person with foot odor usually produces more sweat than a regular foot does. But because sweat is only water and salt, it does not smell on its own. It is when bacteria is attracted to the sweat that odor begins to emanate.
Causes of Foot Odor
Foot odor is a common problem among males, but female smelly feet are also ordinary. Everyone who wears shoes or socks that do not allow the feet to breathe for a long time can develop foot odor.
The human feet have about 250,000 sweat glands. If they are fully covered for hours, they may perspire excessively. The moisture and sweat together create an ideal environment for brevibacteria and other fungi to grow, ingest dead skin cells, and consequently generate odor-causing waste material. People who engage in physical activities that cause the feet to sweat are especially prone to sweaty feet, and therefore to smelly feet.
Certain kinds of socks can also make foot odor worse. Nylon, for example, does not allow the feet to breathe as much as cotton does. Nylon also does not absorb sweat as effectively. Female smelly feet may be caused by wearing nylon pantyhose.
Tests & Diagnosis
Unless the smell is very severe, no professional help is necessary. Foot odor can be reduced and even eliminated by a few changes in foot care habits (see below). Once the smell becomes serious and other symptoms such as itching and redness develop, though, patients are advised to seek the help of podiatrists.
How to get Rid of Smelly Feet?
There are two ways to combat foot odor: one is to reduce bacteria on the feet, and the other is to reduce sweat that collect on the feet.
Washing the feet regularly with anti-bacterial soaps, wearing clean and well-ventilated socks, and allowing shoes to completely dry before wearing them again can all help decrease bacteria population.
To reduce sweating, patients are advised to only use shoes that let the feet breathe. Stay away from boots and other constrictive footwear. Cotton socks also help absorb sweat. Some even have moisture-wicking properties to keep the sweat away from the feet.
People with smelly feet should also invest in absorbent shoe inserts that ‘eat away’ odor. If the smell is persistent, doctors may prescribe strong anti-perspirant creams or powders, and sometimes even prescription drugs designed to combat bacteria and reduce sweat.
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