What causes foot odour and sweat?
Sweaty, smelly feet are very common, and nothing to be embarrassed about. Your feet have a huge number of sweat glands. When sweat is trapped inside shoes and socks, bacteria grow — and that's what causes the odour.
Some people sweat heavily all over, which can be linked to other health conditions. For most, though, the problem is limited to the feet and responds well to simple changes.
Common culprits
Common culprits include:
- Heavy sweating combined with bacteria
- Pantyhose and nylon socks, which hold in sweat
- Cotton socks, which dry slowly and give bacteria time to grow
- Shoes made of synthetic materials
What you can do at home
Try these everyday habits:
- Wash your feet daily with an antibacterial soap.
- Wear wool, acrylic or polypropylene socks with shoes.
- Choose leather or other breathable shoes.
- Alternate pairs so each can air out for a day.
- Change your socks often — more than once a day if needed.
- Replace worn insoles.
- Use a spray or roll-on antiperspirant on your feet.
If the odour comes with changes in skin colour, see a podiatrist right away.
How a podiatrist helps
If home care isn't enough, we'll check for an underlying cause. Dr. Rosenfeld can:
- Examine your feet for other causes, such as athlete's foot, skin conditions or a wider health issue
- Prescribe medication to apply to the skin
- Prescribe anti-fungal pills or antibiotics when needed