Yes, I know, a gross topic for a blog. It’s kind of taboo, it doesn’t often get talked about because it’s embarrassing. The fact of the matter is that foot odor can affect us all. In this blog I will talk about what causes foot odor and how we can reduce this odoriferous offense.
So, what causes SFS (smelly foot syndrome)?
There are several potential causes:
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The feet have many sweat glands and although it doesn’t seem that feet ‘sweat,’ they do. This perspiration within the confined space of shoes can equal odor.
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Athlete’s foot or fungus. Various types of fungal infections and their effect on the skin of the foot can cause odor.
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Bacteria. There are certain types of bacteria that can inhabit the skin of the foot, in living there they create byproducts and waste, which unfortunately can create malodor. In some cases, toenail fungus may also be present and contribute to persistent odor, especially when moisture is trapped inside shoes.
What can one do about these unpleasant symptoms?
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Wash your feet. Sometimes we forget to do this or sometimes it is hard to do, say in a shower, but for obvious reasons this helps.
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Keep the feet dry: Wear synthetic or breathable socks, change socks frequently, dry well between the toes after bathing, and use a foot powder if the feet are excessively moist. Soaking in a salt solution, like Epsom salts, also helps.
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Eliminate shoes that are already ‘stinky,’ they are probably colonized with bacteria or fungus and will continue to negatively affect efforts to reduce foot odor.
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Remove dead skin with a pumice stone-this is because some bacteria actually ‘feed’ off of dead skin and this creates odor (I know, gross right?).
If you or a loved one try these suggestions and the symptoms continue, please realize that these problems can be treated. Please give us a call at 406-721-4007 so we can eliminate this embarrassing problem and restore your confidence.