3 Reasons Why You Have Foot Odor
Summer is finally here! Are you worried that sweaty, smelly feet will get the best of you? One of the primary factors in developing foot odor is excessive moisture on your feet and inside your shoes. Your feet have many sweat glands, which makes it more challenging to keep dampness under control.
Let’s look at what could be behind your foot odor:
Infection
The same microscopic fungi that cause athlete’s foot infections and odor also cause fungal toenail infections. Either one of these conditions can be a significant source of foot odor, and they often co-occur, so see your foot doctor for comprehensive care.
Bacteria
While many people believe their sweat is the cause of foot odor, this isn’t exactly the case. Bacterial and fungal organisms emit offensive odors as they feed on your sweat, so you can help avoid foot odor by controlling the sweat.
Shoes
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes severe sweating under the arms, on your palms, and from the many sweat glands on your feet. The additional moisture this creates in your shoes is an ideal environment for bacteria and fungi to grow and produce terrible foot odor. By wearing shoes made from a breathable material like canvas or Gore-Tex, excess moisture will evaporate more quickly. Moisture-wicking socks will also help.
You can control terrible foot odor with your foot doctor's help. If you have pain in your foot or heel, problems with your ankle, an injury, ingrown toenails, or any other issues with your feet, our experienced team of podiatrists is here to help!
At The Center for Podiatric Care and Sports Medicine, Dr. Jonathan Levy, Dr. Nadia Levy, Dr. Diane Castro, Dr. Josef Geldwert, Dr. Katherine Lai, and Dr. Vera Malezhik treat various conditions. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, we offer cutting-edge care for patients in Midtown East and Manhattan. Contact our office at (212) 980-6487. Our office is at 120 E 56th Street, Suite 1150, New York, NY 10022. We continue to offer telemedicine appointments.
