Winning the Fight Against Smelly Feet

Smelly feet have been the cause of embarrassment for many people. If you are hesitant about taking off your shoes in public places, you are not alone. If you have had to throw shoes and socks away because you can’t stand the stink, there is help for you, too. This fall, we are helping you win the fight against smelly feet.

The doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center know that one of the best ways to fight back against a condition is to remove the risk factors. Prevention is one of the best parts of podiatry. While visits are great, we love to help with maintenance to avoid complications from common conditions.

Here are three ways to fight smelly feet — and win.

Wash your socks

Yep! You have to wash your socks regularly. We also discourage you from wearing the same sweaty pair over and over. Just as shoes need time to breathe and dry, the same is for socks. Always wear clean, dry socks. If you play sports, your sweat amounts have gone up even more. Add a new pack of socks to your gym bag. Wear a new pair after practice, games, and as needed.

Watch out: If your socks are always brown or have holes, toss them.

Wear the right size

There are so many reasons why wearing the wrong size of shoes is bad for your feet. Well, you can add stinky feet to the list. If your shoes are too small or tight, there’s a moisture meet-up happening inside your shoes. The not-so-roomy toe box becomes a welcoming environment for the fungus and bacteria that can cause smelly feet.
Watch out: If you are squeezing into your shoes, add a shoe shopping date to your calendar.

Wash your feet

You’re probably missing a step in your shower or bathtub routine, and it could be the cause of your smelly feet. Please, wash your feet. Wash, dry, and moisturize them. While you are scrubbing, wash between your toes. Don’t forget to trim your toenails and clean them underneath.

Watch out: If you see signs of smelly feet, schedule an appointment with the podiatrist.

Our board-certified team of foot and ankle doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center has experience with addressing foot needs, including bunions and hammertoes, pediatric foot care, custom orthotics, heel pain, diabetic foot care, and more. The team includes Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, and Dr. Laura Vander Poel. We have two locations in Hartford County: 1379 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT, and 1350 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, CT. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.