It's that time of year again. Time for tanktops and short pants and swimsuits and sunscreen and sandals and . . . oh god, what's that smell?
If you are one of many people who suffer from foot odor (smelly feet), don't worry -- you're not alone. If you are one of many people who have to be around people with foot odor, don't worry -- you're not alone, either. Whatever you do, whoever you are, when it comes to foot odor and smelly feet, please don't think you have to hide your toes in thick socks and monster shoes, or drown your feet in heavy odor-masking perfumes. After awhile, "peach banana sunrise" doesn't smell much better than "rotten toe funk". I am a firm believer in bare feet and happy toes, and I will do my best with the following advice to help you free your feet from the burden of foot odor . . . just in time to slip on that new pair of flip-flops and head for the beach.
Dealing with Foot Odor
Wash your feet with antibacterial soap every day to get rid of foot odor. Because the main cause of smelly feet is the bacteria that grow in perspiration, it's important to keep your feet clean and bacteria-free. Adding a simple anti-bacterial soap to your daily hygiene regimine will help to eliminate bacteria from your feet and get rid of your foot odor.
Always dry your feet thoroughly after washing and before putting on footwear. The odor-causing bacteria thrive in the warm, wet environment of sweaty feet, so making sure your feet are dry before putting them in socks or shoes (including sandals) gives you a head start in the fight against perspiration odors. If your feet get especially sweaty (or stinky), try putting on a little baby powder after drying. The baby powder will help wick perspiration and get rid of your foot odor.
Wear only clean, absorbent socks to get rid of smelly feet. Just because yesterday's gym socks smell clean doesn't mean they are. One wear is enough to leave behind enough foot perspiration for odor-causing bacteria to live off of, and more than enough to leave your feet stinky and dirty the second time around. Always use a clean pair of socks, preferably absorbent cotten or specially-designed synthetic perspiration wicking fabric, to get rid of your foot odor.
Keep your shoes as clean as possible to get rid of foot odor. For the same reasons you should wear clean socks, you should make sure you shoes are clean -- to cut down on residual bacteria and foot odor. If you are athletic, consider investing in multiple pairs of tennis shoes and rotating them to give each pair time to dry out after each use. Leather shoes are also considered better to wear than synthetic materials, for leather's ability to let your feet breathe, cutting down on moisture and odor.
Let your feet breathe as much as possible to get rid of foot odor. As much as your environment permits, keep your feet open to the air, or wear breathable shoes (see the recommendations above for reducing odor in shoes). Confining your feet in shoes and socks allows perspiration and bacteria to build-up, in turn causing stronger and more persistent odor, so going barefoot, wearing sandals, or investing in moisture-wicking and breathable footwear will help you get rid of foot odor.Further Treatment for Foot Odor
If you've tried everything and you still can't rid of your smelly foot odor, it's probably time to visit a podiatrist -- a doctor who specializes in foot, ankle, and sometimes lower leg care. A podiatrist can help you diagnose your foot odor problem and identify any biological sources of odor or infection, as well as help you develop a treatment plan to get rid of your foot odor for good.
