The human foot has two hundred and fifty sweat glands secreting about five hundred milliliters of sweat every day. In actual sense, this sweat is the primary cause of foot odor. The following illnesses and conditions also contribute to foot odor.
Toenail Fungus
Toe nail fungus is a kind of an infection that affects the nail and the nail bed. This fungus hides underneath and inside the nail causing a double infection. That makes it one of the most dreadful toe ailments. Just like most fungus, toenail fungus thrives in moist surroundings. Major causes of this fungal infection include heavy sweating; humid surroundings and advanced age. Therefore, older people are at a higher risk of contracting this fungus.
The best treatment for toenail fungus medication can penetrate through the nail and reach the nail bed. Treating the nail and leaving out the nail bed will only cause the infection to recur.
Bacteria
Bacterial infection has a lot to do with foot odor. Brevibacterium is one of the best examples of an odor causing bacteria. This bacterium is found on the feet and it eats dead skin for it to grow. The reason why it causes foot odor is because it has sulfur like smell that resembles that of rotting cabbage.
Skin Infection
Some skin infections can degenerate into a condition known as Keratolysis. The main cause of this infection is wearing of shoes and boots for a long time thereby causing excessive sweating. Keratolysis also has sulfur like smell hence causing foot odor.
Diet
It is always important to watch the kind of food you eat. Compounds like sulfides and other organic compounds produce pungent odors. They are released in the body and finally find their way all the way to the feet. Foods with low carbohydrates and high protein levels tend to cause an odor known as ketosis.
The body breaks down food compounds thus producing a compound known as trim ethylamine. This compound has a distinctive odor similar to the one found in fish. Some of the foods that cause this condition include red meat, garlic, onions, egg yolks and sea foods. Over consumption of these foods eventually causes foot odor among other body smells.
Athletes’ Foot
Athletes’ foot is a fungal bacterial infection that occurs between toes, soles and the sides of the foot. It derives its name from the fact that it is mainly associated with athletes because of excessive work outs causing a lot of sweating and moist feet. This infection causes the feet to burn, have an itchy feeling and the skin around the feet dries up causing a lot of discomfort to the feet. People often describe it as the ringworm of the feet. This infection is highly contagious. Medical attention should be sought immediately an individual notices the symptoms to avoid spreading it around.
Other Causes of Foot Odor
It is important to note that there are other isolated causes of foot odor that one may not even imagine. Such examples include the following:-
• Stress. Anxiety brought about by stress stimulates sweat glands
• Medication. Some medicines react badly to the body
• Alcohol and drugs
Foot odor is a very common problem because even the tidiest people get affected. However, there are simple remedies for treatment:
• Use of mild antiseptics and soaps
• Change shoes regularly
• Avoid synthetic and polyester socks, use cotton instead
• Use prescribed antibiotics, if the situation worsens
• See a podiatrist if everything else fails
