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If you deal with sweaty, stinky feet, you’re not alone! Foot odor is a super common problem, especially if you live in a hot or humid environment. Fortunately, there are a few different things you can do to address bad foot odor.
Here are 10 ways to eliminate foot odor for good.
Steps
Expert Q&A
- QuestionI have really bad foot odor and everyone complains about it. Even when I just sit all day my feet smell like I have been running all day! I can't even wear sandals. What do I do?
Sarah Gehrke, RN, MSSarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
Registered NurseIf you've tried all of the remedies listed above but still have foot odor, then you may need to talk to a healthcare professional. They can help determine what is causing your foot odor. This is especially important if the foot odor is affecting your quality of life. - QuestionWhy doesn't scrubbing my feet in the shower with soap and water do much?Sarah Gehrke, RN, MSSarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
Registered NurseAlthough you may be washing the bacteria off of your feet in the shower, your shoes could still be harboring bacteria that cause odor. When you put your shoes on and get sweaty, the conditions breed more bacteria. This causes your foot odor to return. Additionally, you may need to try an antibacterial soap. - QuestionWhat kind of deodorant can I use to prevent bad foot odor?
Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MSLuba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
Board-Certified Family Nurse PractitionerI recommend that you purchase Dr. Scholl’s Odor-X odor fighting spray powder.
Tips
- Sometimes foot odor needs to be treated by a medical professional. If none of these methods make a difference, get an appointment with your doctor to talk about your options.[8]Thanks
Tips from our Readers 
- If your feet tend to smell, try sprinkling some baby powder on your feet and in your shoes before putting on socks. I've been doing this for years, even in my construction job and playing sports, and it has worked incredibly well to keep odor away. The powder absorbs moisture to prevent bacteria growth. It may sound odd but give it a shot — it really does the trick!
- When first starting a foot odor treatment, I'd recommend washing your shoes thoroughly beforehand for best results. Also, scrubbing off dead skin with a pumice stone creates a clean slate. Otherwise, you'll likely be peeling off layers of skin during the initial few days.
- If needing to remove shoes around others, duck into the bathroom first. Swap out your socks and use a wipe to freshen your feet. It's a quick fix to contain odor until you can fully wash at home.
- To avoid foot odor, be sure to wash your feet daily. Also, having multiple pairs of shoes and rotating them allows each pair to fully dry out between wears, preventing bacteria buildup.
References
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/how-to-avoid-smelly-feet/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/how-to-avoid-smelly-feet/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/4-sure-fire-ways-you-can-avoid-stinky-feet/
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/feet-stink.html
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/feet-stink.html
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/how-to-avoid-smelly-feet/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/4-sure-fire-ways-you-can-avoid-stinky-feet/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/how-to-avoid-smelly-feet/
About This Article
An easy way to get rid of foot odor is to exfoliate your feet with a washcloth and antibacterial soap every time you shower. When you're finished, dry your feet completely and, if you have no cracked skin, rub hand sanitizer on them to kill any leftover germs and bacteria. Wear open-toed shoes if you can. If your shoes are smelly, sprinkle baking soda into them to help absorb moisture and odor throughout the day. If you're a diabetic or have poor circulation, you should speak to your healthcare provider before trying these remedies. For more ways you can get rid of foot odor, like using wooden insoles or talc-free powder, keep reading!
Reader Success Stories
"I've had smelly feet for 20 years. This caused me a lot of embarrassment and humiliation in front of other people. I used bleach to get rid of the problem. It worked right away, and it only took 5 minutes a day for a week or so to get rid of my smelly feet. I just hope that the problem won't recur when I stop using the bleach. If the problem does recur, I will soak my feet in bleach and warm water whenever I have to go out and mingle with people. I'm very grateful to the people on this site!"..." more
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