Smelly socks? Here's how to treat stinky feet
Nobody relishes the thought of having smelly feet. In fact, bromodosis (the medical term for foot odour) often strikes at the worst possible time and can be downright embarrassing.
So if you’ve noticed a nasty pong from your feet or shoes, how can you fix it and are stinky feet ever a sign of something more serious?
Dr Daniel Cichi, a GP with iMeds, looks at the various causes of bromodosis, and shares expert tips on how to treat and prevent bad foot odour:
What causes smelly feet?
Your feet have more sweat glands than any other part of your body – even more than your armpits. In fact, it’s completely normal for your feet to produce more than a pint of sweat in any given day.
But contrary to popular belief, it’s not actually the sweat that causes bromodosis. When they begin to become pungent, what you’re actually smelling is the result of the bacteria, which live on the skin of your feet. As this bacteria ‘eats’ the sweat, the process produces chemicals including isovaleric acid, which is thought to be the cause of the smell.
Can you prevent smelly feet?
When it comes to smelly feet, the issue isn’t really how much your feet sweat, but more about how much sweat is trapped in your footwear. If your feet aren’t ventilated, then the sweat has nowhere to go. In the winter, we’re more likely to wear thicker, more insulated shoes and socks, which can restrict ventilation and trap sweat, allowing the bacteria to thrive.
Heat isn’t the only thing that causes feet to sweat, either. Stepping out into the cold, or a sudden change in temperature, can also cause our feet to sweat. Bromodosis can be pretty common, especially if you wear the same shoes every day, lace them tightly, or are on your feet a lot.
Hormonal changes that occur in puberty and pregnancy can make your feet sweat more than usual. There's also a medical condition called hyperhidrosis where affected people regularly sweat excessively; the palms of the hands and soles of the feet are particular problem areas.
Medical causes of smelly feet
Smelly feet can sometimes be a sign of other, less common issues. These include:
• Athlete’s foot
A fungal infection that can cause the skin to crack, flake, blister and itch, athlete's foot can contribute to the smell of your feet.
• Pitted keratolysis
A condition in which bacteria ‘eat’ the skin on the soles of the feet, pitted keratolysis causes a white, ‘pitted’ appearance and cheesy smell.
• Medication
Certain medications can also lead to foot odour, as can poor hygiene.
But, despite these possible causes, the biggest culprit is usually over-wearing the same shoes, without giving them adequate time to air.
How to treat and prevent smelly feet
To help prevent and treat sweaty or smelly feet, here are a few things you can try:
✔️ Keep your feet clean and dry; take extra care to dry between your toes.
✔️ Try to alternate between two pairs of shoes and avoid shoes made of synthetic materials.
✔️ If you can’t alternate, take your shoes and socks off as soon as you get home, to give them a chance to air out.
✔️ Avoid nylon socks, as they trap sweat. Cotton and wool socks are the best at absorbing and eliminating sweat.
✔️ Try using a deodorant/antiperspirant for your feet.
✔️ Try other specialist products for sweaty feet, such as medical insoles, foot powder or specialist socks, all of which may help.
When to see your GP about smelly feet
Having smelly feet is not an issue that’s usually anything to be majorly concerned about.
However, if none of the above methods work or you have a rash, blistering or painful feet, then it’s worth visiting your GP. They can rule out any underlying hyperhidrosis, fungal or bacterial infections and arrange any necessary treatments. If fungal infections of the skin are left untreated, as well as being unpleasant, they can lead to a fungal infection of the toenail which can take longer to treat.
Last updated: 29-01-2020
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