Smelly Feet!

Whew! What’s that smell? I hope that’s not MY feet? UGH!

Panic sets in. Many of us have been in these ahem… shoes. The odd case of bromodosis— yep, foot odor even has its own very official name—is usually nothing to worry about.

Smelly feet - the medical name is bromodosis - can affect anyone. It can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. The main cause is sweaty feet.

People get smelly feet when the perspiration has nowhere to evaporate – but it is not the sweat that causes the foot odor. Bacteria that lives on the skin eats the feet's sweat, producing isovaleric acid, causing the odor. Athlete's Foot, which is a skin infection caused by a fungus, can also cause smelly feet.

The best way to fight sweat-related stink is to change your socks on the regular, especially when they're moist.

If dry socks don't do the trick, try an antiperspirant on your feet. Yes, really. Your regular old stick can work (although we can't personally vouch for putting it back in your armpit after a toes-ward trip). You can also apply prescription-strength antiperspirants a couple times a week at night,

Just like your socks, your shoes shouldn't stay warm and moist, either, which is why many podiatrists will recommend that you don't wear the same pair day after day.

Foot hygiene becomes even more important if you're always in the same pair of shoes. Clean and scrub your feet, and use a pumice stone or PedEgg to scrape off dry skin, he says. The type of shoe you wear can help, too. "If you're known to have foot odor, wear something that breathes.”

Get Checked. Get Fit . Get Moving! ™

http://www.webmd.boots.com/foot-care/smelly-feet

http://www.prevention.com/health/why-your-feet-smell