Smelly feet (2024)

FAQs

Why do my feet still stink after I wash them? ›

“The primary cause is from a lack of ventilation for your feet. There are thousands of sweat glands in feet, which produce quite a bit of sweat each day. The unpleasant smell comes when the perspiration isn't allowed to evaporate.”

Sweat causes your skin to become soft and creates a moist environment that encourages bacteria and fungi to grow. As bacteria and fungi grow and feed on dead skin, they release chemicals that smell bad, leading to smelly feet. Everyone has bacteria and fungi on their skin. And everyone's feet sweat.

A spritz of white vinegar can fight bacteria and neutralize smells in shoes. Get a spray bottle and fill it with equal parts of white vinegar and water. Spray the product into the shoes and let them dry.

Use a ratio of one part vinegar to two parts warm water, and soak your feet in the mixture for about 20 minutes. White vinegar and apple cider vinegar both work equally well. If you just can't take the smell of vinegar, a half cup of Epson salts dissolved in a basin of warm water is also a good deep-soak choice.

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.

Here are a few things that you can try to reduce foot sweat and odor. Let your feet soak for up to 20 minutes once a week. Epsom salt helps to remove moisture from your skin, so bacteria are less likely to hang around. Vinegar also helps to remove bacteria from your feet.

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.

Body odor is caused by bacteria breaking down the sweat from the apocrine glands in your armpits, groin, and pubic area. You may be more prone to body odor if you are overweight, eat certain foods, have certain health conditions, or are under stress. Genetics may also play a role.

“If you start to notice a fishy, rotten, or spoiled smell coming from between your legs, you should get checked out by a doctor,” Deysach says. Those scents are a sign of infection.

Treatment: Treatment options for hard skin on feet include regular exfoliation with tools like pumice stones or foot files, moisturising to keep the skin supple and using creams containing Salicylic Acid to soften the hard skin.

Does shoe smell ever go away? ›

The best way to rid your shoes of a smell is to wash them. For hand-washing, use a detergent and warm water to gently clean the inside and outside. Make sure you rinse thoroughly and allow the shoes to air-dry completely, Sinnathamby says.

If soap and water just aren't enough, try soaking your feet once a week for up to 20 minutes. Experts recommend a solution of warm water and either vinegar or Epsom salt. Stay dry. The bacteria that make their home on your feet and in your shoes thrive in moist places.

Vinegar can also disinfect the feet. This helps eliminate or reduce foot odor by getting rid of the bacteria that make them smell. Before soaking, wash your feet thoroughly with soap and water. Then relax with your feet in a vinegar soak.

Put your musty clothes in a large plastic bag and sprinkle in some baking soda. Give the bag a good shake so the baking soda covers all of your clothes and then leave it to sit for 10 minutes. Then, remove your clothes, brush off the baking soda, and bam—no more musty smell!