Then I read in Prevention magazine that smelly feet with cracks between the toes and wrinkled white toe pads could be caused by a
Many of the remedies for unpleasant foot odor are topical: soak the feet in a solution of baking soda, vinegar, Epsom salts or very strong tea. Any of those approaches may be quite helpful, but here is one that is less obvious: take zinc supplements.
It's a perpetuating cycle that can be compounded by how much you sweat, the type of footwear you choose, and the presence of other foot issues like fungal infections. So while foot odor doesn't necessarily signify a health problem, in rare instances, it can be a sign of a medical issue.
Causes of Stinky 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. Fungus grows and thrives in warm, moist areas.
There are numerous bacteria that live on feet, which feed off the sweat, producing an acid that actually causes the odor. If that's not enough, fungus also thrives in warm, moist environments like what sweaty feet provide. So, if the bacteria on your foot isn't what causes foot odor, fungus might be the culprit.
Sweat causes your skin to break down and also creates a moist environment that encourages bacteria and fungi to grow. As bacteria and fungi grow, they release chemicals that smell bad, leading to smelly feet. Everyone has bacteria and fungi on their skin. And everyone's feet sweat.
Watch your intake of: Sulfur-rich foods - and not just eggs e.g., onion, garlic, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, beer, tea, and coffee. Spicy foods. Greasy foods such as fast foods.
If you've tried everything to avoid foot odor and are still experiencing it, it's uncomfortable and makes you self-conscious. Visit a podiatrist, they can help with your foot odor.
Apply disinfectant spray, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, or bleach to eliminate infectious diseases from dirty or secondhand shoes. Make sure to leave the shoes wet with the product for at least five minutes or follow the directions on the label. Allow your shoes to dry completely before wearing them.
Over time, this sweat builds up and creates the ideal environment for bacteria, fungi, and other foot odour-causing agents. Some other factors that could contribute to a bad-smelling odour from your feet are: Bad hygiene. Bad circulation of your blood flow.
Use a surgical-grade antibacterial soap found at your pharmacy. We recommend Betadine Skin Cleanser, pHisoderm® or Hibiclens. Dry your feet thoroughly, especially between your toes.
Baking soda/corn starch: Both do reduce foot odor for many people, although again, there is no research to support their efficacy. Remember to change your socks and shoes after applying it. Adding either to your shoes may help absorb additional moisture where germs can breed.
In anecdotal information, the writer to “Dear Annie” reports that taking zinc supplements eliminated foot odor. The Graedons at the People's Pharmacy have heard 50 to 100 mg zinc daily made a dramatic reduction in foot odor within 30 days.
My toe pads were wrinkled and pure white, and of course my feet smelled bad. I tried a lot of fixes. Nothing helped. Then I read that smelly feet with cracks between the toes and wrinkled white toe pads could be caused by a zinc deficiency.
Another mineral that can play a role with your body odor is Magnesium. While magnesium deficiency doesn't exactly result in you acquiring bad odor having the proper amount of magnesium intake can help your body eliminate odors more effectively.
If your foot odor is accompanied by itching and skin changes, you should definitely see a specialist. If you're not sure if your foot odor needs help but you're sick of living with it anyway, make an appointment. It's time. Smelly feet are treatable.
A person living with a health condition such as diabetes or kidney disease may also have sweat that smells like ammonia.
“Feet smell like vinegar when they sweat too much, and the moisture interacts with bacteria on your skin,” explains podiatrist Joy Rowland, DPM. “The bacteria actually eat your sweat, and this creates an acidic byproduct that smells like vinegar.”
Soak your feet in a mixture of Epsom salts and water, or vinegar and water. With Epsom salts, combine half a cup in a tub of warm water and soak your feet for 15 minutes. The salts will pull the moisture out of your skin, which makes for a less than ideal environment for the bacteria.
A simple smelly feet remedy is to use an antiperspirant on your feet. The deodorant you use on your underarms to keep them dry can be every bit as good on sweaty feet. Spray deodorants can be easiest for this, although roll-ons allow you target the area more accurately.
Baby powder is a fantastic way to eliminate shoe odor fast and keep your socks dry and comfortable. Use it as a moisture absorber and deodorizer in your shoes at night when you aren't using them, and sprinkle it in each sock for dry, fresh feet all day long.
Myth 3: Baby powder stops sweaty feet
This has the dual effect of soaking up a limited amount of moisture as well as temporarily constricting the outer body tissue, making skin feel soft and dry. Some powders can help absorb sweat, but this does not stop the accumulation of the bacteria which leads to body odor.