The tradition rooted in Western countries of not taking off your shoes when entering the house also has a medical basis, namely, to save the hosts from a possible unwanted “perfume”.
Bad feet odor PHOTO drfootpain.com
Unpleasant foot odor, also known as bromodosis, has multiple causes, including excessive sweating – feet produce approximately 20 liters of sweat per year in a closed environment creating a moist environment favorable for the development of bacteria, inappropriate and poor footwear quality, but also poor hygiene.
Basically, sweat “is usually odorless,” Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, APRN, a board-certified physician in dermatology and family medicine, tells prevention.com.
What causes sweat to become “something else” is overactive sweat glands and their secretions mixing with bacteria on the skin.
The medical term for chronic foot odor is localized “bromhidrosis,” which is diagnosed in people whose foot odor “is extremely noticeable and has a negative effect on the individual's life.”
“Bromhidrosis can affect one's self-esteem, social interactions, and quality of life“, say the specialists.
Other factors that can worsen foot odor are fungal infections such as athlete's foot, damp or ill-fitting shoes and socks that prevent proper ventilation, and poor hygiene habits.
How to get rid of bad foot odor
The most important thing is to keep the area as dry and clean as possible. Useful advice:
-Change your socks daily or even twice a day.
-Wear shoes with adequate ventilation and socks made of moisture-wicking material.
-Bathe daily and wash your feet with antibacterial soap.
-Remove sweaty socks as soon as possible.
-Exfoliate your feet regularly using a pumice stone or scrub.
-Use a topical antiperspirant that contains aluminum salts, which help balance the skin's pH.
-See a dermatologist for Botox injections, which can help control sweat gland activity.
-Trim your toenails regularly to reduce the risk of infection.
