7 helpful hints to Save Smelly Feet
by Camille Ciottariollo (Feetology Podiatrist)
Beat the stink. It can be embarrassing to have smelly feet, but how do you stop the stink or prevent it from happening?
Sweaty, smelly feet (Bromhidrosis) are not uncommon for many Queenslanders. In our warmer climate, increased sweating can cause the skin’s natural bacteria to overgrow causing a bit of a stink. Sometimes, it is not even your feet that smell, but your shoes and socks that absorb the sweat and harbour the bacteria!
These helpful hints can make a big difference to smelly feet, shoes and socks:
- 1. Wash your feet at least daily with an anti-bacterial soap, making sure to wipe dry all foot surfaces (don’t forget between your toes too)
- 2. Discard all socks and start again, or soak and wash all socks in an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal wash. These are available from the supermarket in the laundry aisle. Tea Tree Oil is also a good, natural, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal product that can easily be added to washing
- 3. Replace your socks with “moisture management” ones. These have silver or anti-bacterial properties and can usually be purchased from The Athlete’s Foot, Rebel Sport, or anywhere that has a big sock/hosiery department. Look for brands like Light Feet, Thorlo, X-socks and Experia. They may be a bit more expensive, but they can make a big difference
- 4. Change your socks as often as you can. Keeping a couple of extra pairs in handy places can assist with changing them regularly. At least daily is advised, but more often in the warmer months, or if you have been exercising. Washing your socks in anti-bacterial and anti-fungal products is also advised whenever you can.
- 5. Discard the removable innersoles in your shoes, and replace with new ones. This can help remove a lot of smell from stinky shoes, without necessarily having to discard the shoes themselves. New innersoles can be purchased from chemists or supermarkets.
- 6. If replacing the innersoles does not remove the stink from shoes, discarding them and particularly old shoes is the next alternative.
- 7. Spray smelly feet with a tea tree oil spray from your supermarket or chemist at least daily, or with each sock change. Tea tree oil spray is more diluted than its antiseptic/pure form, which is much friendlier on your skin long-term!
Try these tips to beat the stink this summer! If you have tried these remedies with no success, be sure to make an appointment with one of our Podiatrists to sort out your issue. Call Feetology Podiatry Centre on 3820 6326 to make an appointment.