Smelly feet aren't much fun for anyone but there are some simple things you can do to make sure your feet stay fresh.
Medically known as bromidrosis, stinky feet can be a bit embarrassing and unpleasant for you and everyone around you. But there are simple things you can do to stop your feet from getting smelly in the first place, or to clear up the problem.
What can I do to prevent it?
- Change your socks on a regular basis.
- If you do get sweaty feet, a cheap and easy home remedy is to wipe them clean with cotton wool dipped in surgical spirit.
- Allow shoes to dry out between use and don't wear the same pair of shoes on consecutive days.
- Bathe your feet daily in lukewarm water, using a mild soap, and dry thoroughly.
- Avoid wearing nylon socks.
- Check for fungal infections between your toes and on the bottom of your feet. If you spot redness or dry skin, use an athlete's foot preparation, available from your local chemist.
Why do your feet smell?
Your feet smell for two reasons: you wear shoes and your feet sweat.
Every day your feet produce an eggcup's worth of sweat, which is absorbed by your shoes. At the end of the day, you take your shoes off and store them in a dark cupboard, where bacteria and fungi break down that sweat. The next day you put your shoes back on, complete with all that decomposed sweat, so it's no wonder your feet get a bit smelly.
Smelly feet aren't much fun for anyone but there are some simple things you can do to make sure your feet stay fresh.
Medically known as bromidrosis, stinky feet can be a bit embarrassing and unpleasant for you and everyone around you. But there are simple things you can do to stop your feet from getting smelly in the first place, or to clear up the problem.
What can I do to prevent it?
- Change your socks on a regular basis.
- If you do get sweaty feet, a cheap and easy home remedy is to wipe them clean with cotton wool dipped in surgical spirit.
- Allow shoes to dry out between use and don't wear the same pair of shoes on consecutive days.
- Bathe your feet daily in lukewarm water, using a mild soap, and dry thoroughly.
- Avoid wearing nylon socks.
- Check for fungal infections between your toes and on the bottom of your feet. If you spot redness or dry skin, use an athlete's foot preparation, available from your local chemist.
Why do your feet smell?
Your feet smell for two reasons: you wear shoes and your feet sweat.
Every day your feet produce an eggcup's worth of sweat, which is absorbed by your shoes. At the end of the day, you take your shoes off and store them in a dark cupboard, where bacteria and fungi break down that sweat. The next day you put your shoes back on, complete with all that decomposed sweat, so it's no wonder your feet get a bit smelly.