Smelly Feet and Sweaty Feet

(Bromhidrosis and Hyperhidrosis)

Home Treatment and Professional Treatment Options for Foot Odor and Excessive Perspiration

Smelly feet and sweaty feet can be an uncomfortable and embarrassing problem. Fortunately, these problems can usually be treated effectively. On this page we are going to provide some proven self-treatment options. Try them for four weeks. If they don’t work be sure to make an appointment in our Seattle foot clinic or visit your local podiatrist. There are prescription medications and other treatment options that are very effective for those who do not respond to the home remedy below.

The smell associated with sweaty feet is due to the growth of bacteria and fungi that grow rapidly in the moist environment inside a shoe. Our treatment goals are to keep your feet dry and then to combat the growth of the fungi and bacteria. Finally we want to use deodorants to prevent the odor.

For best results, follow this plan religiously for four weeks. If you are not 100% better, make an appointment in our Seattle foot clinic.

7-Step Plan to Combat Foot Odor and Sweaty Feet

1. Every day, wash your feet every day with an deodorizing foot soap. We recommend Dr. Smith’s Deodorizing Foot Wash.

 
2. Every morning, after drying your feet apply a foot antiperspirant and deodorant. We recommend Ostiderm Roll-on Deodorant and Antiperspirant for the Feet. Safeguard against foot odor and excessive foot perspiration with this antiperspirant - deodorant roll-on.
    
3. Use an Ultraviolet Shoe Sanitizer. The new SteriShoe® shoe sanitizer kills the odor-causing germs that reside inside your shoes with an ultraviolet light (UVC). In only one 45 minute treatment, you can destroy up to 99.9% of the microorganisms in shoes, including the bacteria and fungi that cause foot odor, toenail fungus, and athlete’s foot. It is designed for people who have shoe odor, foot odor, athlete's foot (tinea pedis) and toenail fungus.
    
4. Avoid cotton socks – cotton holds moisture next to your skin. Instead, wear socks that wick moisture away from your feet. The Smartknit X-static socks are the best we have found. These socks wick moisture away from your feet and are made with X-Static – a silver fiber. The silver is naturally anti-microbial and these seamless socks safely inhibit the growth of odor causing bacteria and fungi.
    
5. Use a “shoe deodorant” such as Dr. Leo’s Shoe Refresh Shoe Spray in your shoes every day for 7 days straight. Then use it 2 or 3 times per week.
   
    
6. If you have itching you might have athlete’s foot also. If so, every night before bed wash your feet again and then apply Tripod Athlete’s Foot Cream – an anti-fungal that includes Miconasole nitrate, tea tree and sunflower oils, oregano, tannic acid, lavender and garlic extracts.
    
7. Try to alternate your shoes – never wear the same pair two days in a row.
    

All pages on this website © 2005-2010
Douglas Hale, DPM & Lawrence Huppin, DPM
Foot and Ankle Center of Washington, Seattle
The material provided on this web site is for informative purposes only.
If you need specific medical advice, please contact the office for an appointment.