There are approximately 250,000 sweat glands, in the human foot. Many people automatically assume that sweat is the number one culprit, when it comes to causes of foot odor. Surprisingly, this assumption is incorrect.
Sweat is actually odorless. There are a variety of other issues that cause foot odor. Here are three of them.
Shoes and Socks
The improper use of shoes and socks is a common cause of stinky feet. What this boils down to is wearing socks made out of synthetic material and wearing shoes without socks.
Choosing to wear polyester or nylon socks is not recommended. These two materials don’t breathe as well as cotton. This causes feet to perspire more. Another benefit of cotton is that it has natural antibacterial properties, which generally help to reduce odors.
When you wear closed-toe shoes without socks, sweat only accumulates in your actual shoe. Dirt, oil, and dead skin cells are also left behind.
Because the inside of your shoes typically don’t get washed frequently, this area turns into a breeding ground for bacteria. Proper ventilation is the key to reducing bacteria and the smell associated with it.
Diet
What you do and do not eat plays a major role in the causes of feet odor. Believe it or not, over-consumption of several types of nutrients causes the issue.
Foods high in sulfides and other organic compounds cause problems because as these compounds breakdown in the body they are released through the skin. This causes a bad smell.
Foods to watch out for include but are not limited to:
- onions
- beans
- asparagus
- mustard seed
- red meat
- egg yolks
- seafood
- yogurt
- garlic
Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is another common problem in relation to the causes of feet odor. In fact, smelly toes and yellowing nails are two symptoms of the condition.
As a rule, a fungal nail infection starts out slowly. It is extremely important to begin treatment at the sign of the first symptoms. Left untreated, toenail fungus only gets worse. It never goes away on its own.
The good news is that this condition can be easily treated with laser technology. Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information and to book a consultation. We are ready and waiting to help you make toenail fungus a thing of the past.
In conclusion, washing your feet on a daily basis goes a long way in helping combat stinky feet. Using your favorite antibacterial soap will generally make a remarkable difference.
