Foot odor is a type of body odor that affects the feet. and is generally considered to be an unpleasant smell.
The main cause of this unpleasant odor is foot sweat.
While sweat itself is odorless, it creates a beneficial environment for certain bacteria to grow and produce bad-smelling substances.
The front part of the foot produces the most sweat and the most odor.
Wearing closed-toe shoes for many hours. Increases sweating and odor.
Socks when worn along with shoes, can help to trap the hair on the feet may contribute to the odor’s intensity by adding increased surface area in which the bacteria can thrive.
The composition of sock material can have an impact on foot odor so that polyester and nylon provide less ventilation than cotton or wool and may increase the amount of perspiration intensifying foot odor.
Cotton’s natural antibacterial properties can reduce odors better than synthetics.
Wearing closed-toe shoes without socks increases the amount of sweat and enable bacteria to grow.
Closed-toe shoes do not receive adequate air ventilation, and the sweat cannot evaporate while the shoe is being worn.
The toe area produces the greatest amount of sweat,
Dead skin cells, dirt and oils can also increase odor inside the shoe.
Mold and fungus are also more likely to form if socks are not worn which can increase odors and other foot issues.
When wearing closed-toe shoes without socks to prevent foot odor requires slipping the shoes off momentarily to allow sweat to evaporate and to use foot powders to reduce moisture.
Brevibacteria are considered a major cause of foot odor.
Brevibacteria ingest dead skin of the feet, converting the amino acid methionine into methanethiol, which has a sulfuric aroma.
The dead skin is common on the soles and between the toes.
Propionic acid is also present in foot sweat samples and is a breakdown product of amino acids by Propionibacteria, which survive in sebaceous glands and can cause the smell of vinegar.
Additional agents associated with include Micrococcaceae, Corynebacterium and Pityrosporum.
Foot odor can be alleviated by either aromatic deodorants or by absorbers of the odor.
Maintaining good foot hygiene is the best way to prevent foot odor.
Good hygiene eliminates odor causing bacteria, removes dead skin cells and sebum.
Feet should be clean, and socks should be clean when wearing shoes.
Socks should be changed daily or more frequently.
Cotton/synthetic blends of sock are pref2242ed and those highly synthetic avoided.
Use of sodium bicarbonate and swabbing feet with isopropyl alcohol, drying powders, activated charcoal inserts, boric acid powder are effective treatments.