If you have smelly feet, you know it’s not a joking matter. At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we know that foot odor is embarrassing and it can also be a sign of a medical condition. People with sweaty feet often have a foot odor problem. It’s not the sweat, however, that smells bad, it’s when the sweat mixes with bacteria present in your socks and shoes that the foul smell occurs. Here are some ways that you can try to eliminate foul foot odor:

1. Practice good podiatric hygiene. This means washing feet daily with warm water and a mild soap. (Be sure to dry completely, especially between your toes to prevent athlete’s foot from developing.) If you tend to sweat excessively, applying a talcum or anti-fungal foot powder may also be helpful.
2. Wear cotton socks or those made of a natural material that wicks the sweat away from your skin rather than traps it. Ditto for your shoe choices. Plastic shoes and nylon socks do not encourage air circulation which is essential for preventing stinky feet.
3. Change socks daily and more than once a day if your feet get wet or become sweaty.
4. Don’t wear the same shoes two days in a row. Allow at least 24 hours for shoes to air out between wearings.
5. Do not share socks, flip flops, pedicure tools, wash cloths or anything else that touches someone else’s feet directly—this is how bacterial and fungal infections are spread.

If these steps fail to get rid of foot odor, make an appointment at our Long Beach office. Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas will examine your feet and look into your medical history. Once the source of the foot odor is determined the foot doctor will prescribe the correct treatment to eliminate it and get your feet smelling sweet again.