Why do we get smelly feet?

Sometimes, feet are smelly.

Have you ever been embarrassed to take off your shoes, due to the unpleasant odour? Don’t worry, you are not alone, and there are some simple tricks to help you.

Our feet have over 250,000 sweat glands producing over 500ml of sweat daily. That’s about 2 cups of fluid!

Although sweat itself has no odour, it provides a perfect breeding ground for the naturally occurring bacteria on our feet, and it’s this combination of bacteria and sweat that cause that well-known smell - foot odour.

So, now we know that the lovely soup of sweat and bacteria causes the odour on our feet and in our shoes, what can be done about it?

6 ways to reduce the odour of smelly feet

Wear cotton socks, they are the best absorbers of sweat

Choose leather shoes, they are usually a more natural and breathable material

Rotate your shoes, so they get a chance to dry and air out between wears

Practice good foot hygiene, like anywhere on our body, they need a wash

Use an antiperspirant if required, available from your pharmacist

Use an antibacterial spray on your shoes, then let them air dry.

It's important to remember that although we all sweat, and all have bacteria on our feet, there are some medical conditions that result in excessive sweat or bacterial growth.

If the remedies above aren’t working for you, then come and see us to help find a solution.

Book an appointment for your feet