What Causes Smelly Feet Foot Odor?

Feet are one of our most important body parts, mainly because they support us for
standing and to facilitate our walking on legs will potentially carry us into old age.

Therefore we have to take good care of them so that they are in top functioning
condition for as long as we live.

One of the most common problems that people have with their feet is “foot odor.”

Smelly feet should serve as a warning sign that a problem could be brewing that
may challenge the overall health of your feet.

Smelly feet are generally caused by bacteria that live inside shoes and in-between
sweaty toes. There are also many complications, which can come from these bacteria.

The bacteria eat skin cells that have died and are just waiting to be eaten because of
poor hygiene or tight non-breathable footwear. These bacteria also consume the oils
and then after all of the eating is done the bacteria expels a byproduct that consists
of Isovaleric Acid which is what causes the odor and boy does it smell bad!

The feet have more sweat glands than any other part of the body and unlike other
parts of your body they are trapped in an environment where they don’t get a chance
to dry out while we are wearing shoes during the day. And many of the synthetic fibers in less expensive shoes or synthetic socks can make the situation even worse.

Another major contributor to smelly feet is Athletes Foot or Tinea Pedis. This is
actually a skin infection that comes from a fungus called Trichophyton. When
areas of the feet stay hot and moist they become very irritated. The Fungus
is spread in showers, locker rooms and with clothing and socks. So great precautions
should be taken when you are in any public place where you or your clothing
might become infected.

Once the skin becomes injured by the fungus it can be invaded by bacteria that can
cause all kinds of nasty complications that included dryness, cracking, and
severe itching and can also include, intense “smelly feet.”

The first step to keeping your feet smelling fresh and free of bacteria is to wash
them in the morning and at night, especially if you wear tight fitting shoes with
synthetic socks (for men) or tight fitting shoes with nylons (for women).

It is also a good idea while your sitting at your desk working to slip you shoes
off and let your feet breathe during the day so that at least some of the perspiration
has a chance to evaporate.

Just these two simple steps will be a major factor in ridding yourself of smelly feet and enjoying better overall foot health!