“Could foot odor be a sign of an infection?”
My feet really smell and I can't seem to get rid of it. Could this be a sign of a foot infection? How do I fight it from the source?
24 Answers
Need an eval.
Hi, malodor of the feet can bee from infection but it can also be from fungus, and sweat glands. Some people just genetically have that issue with their sweat glands. I would recommend soaking feet in EPSOM salt water for about 10 minutes a day. Also keep feet dry and clean. Dry out shoes if you were them for long period of time. I would recommend you seeing a Podiatrist or even a dermatologist for further help and full exam. Have a great day!
Usually develops from excessive perspiration. Use drying powders.
Yes, Fungal, bacterial or viral infections will break down the normal healthy tissue. Any malodorous smells should be treated for the underlying disease. You owe it to yourself and other people around you to address the odor.
Not necessarily. Some people have hyperhidrosis (excess sweating) which can lead to odor. Dry feet well, change socks during day, and try spray or powder for shoes.
You may very well have a foot infection, however the most common condition is called dshidrosis feet sweaty secondary to the active sweat glands. On the lower extremities.
Could be a sign of Hyperhydorsis or too much sweating, which can lead to athlete's foot(fungus). You can try antiperspirant spray once every 2 to 3 days if you apply too often can dry out too much. If that doesn't work can try an antifungal cream. A bacterial infection needs a portal of entry and is very mal odorous usually present in diabetic ulcerations.
Chances are that the odor you are experiencing is more from excessive sweating rather than an infection. Typical fungal infections, Athlete's Foot, do not usually present with odor.
The greatest factor in removing odor is to create a dry enviornment, the bacteria that typically create odor come from a moist enviornment, and our shoes are just that.
I have had great success with patients using an antiperspitant, such as Certain Dry (available over the counter) on their feet daily, combined with some powder in your shoes and the use of cotton or silk socks, and if necessary changing your socks half way through your day to reduce moisture to help. If you try these steps and it doesnt change things then I recommend an visit to your doctor for a prescription for a topical antibiotic solution, such as gentamyacin to be added to your regimen. More times than not the antiperspirant and measures to dry the enviornment do the trick.
Another thing to help is to run your sneakers through a cycle in the washing machine and to leave other non washable shoes outside your closet and in a well ventilated room for 24 hours after wearing.
This should be a good stepping off point for you, give it a week or two and you should see improvement.
Take care,
Dr. Michael Kowalski
The greatest factor in removing odor is to create a dry enviornment, the bacteria that typically create odor come from a moist enviornment, and our shoes are just that.
I have had great success with patients using an antiperspitant, such as Certain Dry (available over the counter) on their feet daily, combined with some powder in your shoes and the use of cotton or silk socks, and if necessary changing your socks half way through your day to reduce moisture to help. If you try these steps and it doesnt change things then I recommend an visit to your doctor for a prescription for a topical antibiotic solution, such as gentamyacin to be added to your regimen. More times than not the antiperspirant and measures to dry the enviornment do the trick.
Another thing to help is to run your sneakers through a cycle in the washing machine and to leave other non washable shoes outside your closet and in a well ventilated room for 24 hours after wearing.
This should be a good stepping off point for you, give it a week or two and you should see improvement.
Take care,
Dr. Michael Kowalski
Yes. Should see a specialist for an evaluation
Dr. Jay Mermelstein
Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist) | Primary Podiatric Medicine
Mount Vernon, NY
Yes Another possibility is bromhydrosis which are sweaty feet that delelop an odor from bacteria. Either condition can be treated. The accurate diagnosis with proper treatment is the key.
It could but there are other causes for malodorous perspiration.
Yes, foot odor can definitely be a sign of infection. Both bacterial and fungal infections produce odor. Please visit a local podiatrist for an evaluation.
Secondary to sweat, bacteria causes the odor. I suggest spraying your feet each morning with an antiperspirant.
It could be a hyperhidrosis condition, where your sweat pores release too much fluid, and bacteria break down the salts, releasing an odor. Have you tried applying a clear gel anti-perspirant to the bottom of your soles and using an anti-fungal spray in your shoes daily? This can also be a fungal infection. See your doc for treatment options.
Foot odor is usually due to too much moisture on the feet. If you sweat a lot, this can contribute to the odor. I recommend you be evaluated by a podiatrist so the correct diagnosis can made and a treatment plan initiated
Yes, usually odor is due to fungal or bacterial contamination on the skin. Everyone has a certain "flora" of bacteria, some cause more odor than others. May be due to a condition called hyperhydrosis
Most of the time the odor comes from excessive sweating of the feet. See a Podiatrist and they can give you a prescription for formalin in rose water. Works great for the sweating and odor
Foot older if there is drainage could be the site of infection. If it is just from sweaty feet you can use a over-the-counter antiperspirant on the bottom of your feet each evening before bedtime
The foot odor could be caused by a fungal infection of the skin on the bottom of your feet. You will want to keep your feet as dry as possible and to use an over-the-counter antifungal medication on a daily basis.
Foot odor can be a bacterial infection, a fungal infection, or could be from the proliferation of bacteria and fungus inside your shoes. It usually comes hand-in-hand with hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). You can try over the counter high strength antiperspirant like 'Certain Dry,' and you can spray your shoes with Lysol once a week to kill microorganisms living in your shoes. You can also change your socks twice a day. But if it continues, see a specialist
Usually an infection cannot occur unless there is a break in the skin. Diabetic ulcers are almost universally infected as are ulcers caused by poor circulation.
Foot odor can occur without an infection and is usually called Bromhydrosis. This can be treated with a medication. In any case you should be seeing someone who is well-versed in foot path allergy.
Foot odor can occur without an infection and is usually called Bromhydrosis. This can be treated with a medication. In any case you should be seeing someone who is well-versed in foot path allergy.
Foot smell may be secondary to a fungal infection (Athlete’s foot). The best place to start would be by using a topical antifungal cream twice/day x 6 weeks. I would also apply antifungal powder to your shoes daily and make sure to swap shoes every other day.
Place 1/3 cup of Baking Soda + 1/2 gallon of warm water in a pan, then soak your feet for approximately 8-10 minutes, Pat Dry. Next, apply daily either "Certain Dri Clinical Strength Anti-Perspirant Roll-On, the strongest anti-perspirant you can get without a prescription" or Clinical Strength Anti-Perspirant of your choice to your feet daily. Allow the solution to air dry before putting on your socks and shoes. Once you notice the odor and/or sweating has resolveof the feet then, you can apply the clinical strength anti-perspirant every other day, or twice weekly to help keep this issue under control.
Yes, foot odor is often caused by infection. This should be evaluated by a podiatrist.
