Demystifying Foot Odour

04/09/2024

Katie will always remember one particular Christmas when she was a teenager, and five separate friends gave her scented foot cream! Thankfully, Katie saw the funny side, but it made her think about how to look after her feet.

As any parent of teenage boys can attest, smelly feet (bromodosis) are very common. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent and manage foot odour. Understanding what causes it is a good place to start.

What causes foot odour?

Foot odour is often caused by a build-up of sweat and bacteria.

Your feet may sweat due to:

Hot, humid weather – which describes most days in Hong Kong!
Exercise
Socks and shoes that don’t allow sweat to evaporate
Stress – anxiety increases sweating
Infections like:
- Pitted keratolysis is a bacterial infection that may affect the soles of your feet.
- Tinea is a fungal infection nicknamed athlete’s foot.
Being overweight (it makes you sweat more)
Hormonal changes in puberty, pregnancy or menopause
Some medications
Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive sweating.

Sweat itself doesn’t smell, but it does provide a warm, moist environment that encourages the growth of bacteria – and those bacteria can most definitely smell.

Bacteria love to eat the sugars and fats in the sweat on your feet or the dead skin they find there. During that process, those bacteria produce chemicals like:

Isovaleric acid, which has a cheesy smell.
Propionic acid, which smells sour.
Brevibacteria is a sour-smelling bacteria that cheesemakers use to ensure texture and flavour.

How can you prevent or manage foot odour?

Preventing a build-up of sweat is one of the best ways to prevent foot odour.

You can do that by:

Washing your feet daily using an antibacterial soap – make sure you dry your feet thoroughly, as dampness between your toes can lead to bacterial growth.
Removing hard skin with a foot file – hard skin gets soft and soggy when wet, encouraging bacterial growth.
- If you have diabetes, please ask your podiatrist to remove hard skin – don’t try to do this yourself, as diabetes can reduce sensation in your feet.
Keep your toenails short and clean.
Change your socks every day – more often if you’re exercising or in a hot environment.
Keep your shoes dry – you need more than one pair so you can alternate your footwear.
Choose breathable footwear whenever possible – sandals, trainers or shoes made from natural materials that allow your feet to breathe.
Choose socks that absorb moisture – sports socks are a good choice.
Use an antifungal spray or a medicated foot powder on your feet each day.

When should you see a professional?

While we all have smelly feet from time to time, foot odour may be a more significant problem if it:

Persists despite your attempts to prevent or treat it.
Starts attracting comments and affecting your relationships.

Persistent foot odour can indicate an underlying health problem that requires medical treatment. That could be:

A bacterial or fungal infection like an athlete’s foot.
Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive sweating.
A diabetic foot ulcer – if you have diabetes with persistently high blood sugar levels, you may experience poor circulation and nerve damage, which can lead to an ulcer. If it festers or becomes infected, it can cause foot odour.

How can we help?

Podiatrists play a vital role in all aspects of foot health.

The experienced podiatrists at the Hong Kong Foot Clinic are used to dealing with feet of all shapes, sizes and smells!

We can show you how to look after your feet and recommend moisture-wicking socks and footwear. We can also diagnose and treat underlying foot conditions, helping you to treat the cause of your foot odour rather than just mask the symptoms.

Please book an appointment today.

Disclaimer

All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice.