How To Fix Sweaty, Smelly Feet

Do your feet seem to sweat more than others? Do they regularly carry an unpleasant smell? Having sweaty and smelly feet on an almost daily basis is frustrating, and if that’s the case, today’s article is for you.

When you understand the causes, solutions and prevention steps, you can make better decisions about how to care for your feet and manage the problem. Here’s the low-down on sweaty, smelly feet from our podiatry team here at Masterton Foot Clinic.

Why Do My Feet Sweat So Much?

The soles of our feet have a very high concentration of sweat glands, so sweating from the feet is completely normal. Sweating helps our body regulate temperature and maintain normal skin function.

For some people, however, sweating goes well beyond what is needed. Excessive sweating of the feet is known as plantar hyperhidrosis, a form of hyperhidrosis that specifically affects the feet.

Common causes of excessive foot sweating include

• Genetics: excessive sweating often runs in families.
• Hormonal changes: puberty, pregnancy and menopause can affect sweating.
• Stress or anxiety: emotional stress can stimulate sweating.
• Activity and environment: exercise, hot weather and prolonged periods in enclosed footwear can naturally increase sweating.
• Medical conditions and medications: excessive sweating can sometimes be associated with conditions such as an overactive thyroid or be a side effect of certain medications.

If excessive sweating has started suddenly without an obvious reason, is occurring all over your body rather than just your feet, or is associated with other symptoms such as night sweats, it is worth discussing this with your GP.

Why Do My Feet Smell?

Sweat itself is essentially odourless. Foot odour develops primarily when bacteria living on the skin break down components of sweat and dead skin, producing the compounds responsible for the smell.

Warm, damp feet enclosed inside shoes create an ideal environment for these bacteria to multiply.

One condition we particularly look for in people with persistently sweaty and smelly feet is pitted keratolysis. This is a superficial bacterial infection that typically affects the pressure-bearing areas underneath the foot. Alongside a strong odour, you may notice white, soggy-looking skin and numerous small pits or crater-like holes, particularly around the heel or ball of the foot.

Pitted keratolysis is strongly associated with sweaty feet and enclosed footwear, but importantly, it is very treatable.

Foot odour can be worsened by

• Wearing shoes that retain heat and moisture
• Not allowing shoes to dry properly between uses
• Remaining in damp socks for prolonged periods
• Excessive foot sweating
• Pitted keratolysis and other bacterial skin infections
• Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) and other skin conditions

How Do I Know If My Foot Sweating Is A Problem?

Together with excessive sweating and odour, look out for:

• White, soggy skin: prolonged exposure to moisture can cause maceration, in which the skin becomes pale, soft, and more vulnerable to damage.
• Small pits in the soles: particularly when accompanied by a strong smell, which may indicate pitted keratolysis.
• Repeated skin infections: constantly warm, damp skin provides an environment in which bacteria and fungi can thrive.
• Blisters and irritation: damp skin and footwear can increase friction, making blistering more likely.
• Peeling, itching, or scaling may indicate Athlete’s foot rather than simply sweaty skin.

How to Fix Sweaty Feet

Managing sweaty feet involves controlling the sweating itself while reducing the warm, damp environment that encourages bacterial and fungal growth.

Our podiatrists recommend:

• Wash and dry your feet thoroughly each day, paying particular attention to drying between the toes. A gentle cleanser is usually sufficient. An antiseptic or antibacterial wash may be recommended when there is a specific reason to use one.
• Choose socks that manage moisture well. Wool and moisture-managing synthetic fibres can work well. The important thing is that socks don't remain saturated against the skin for prolonged periods.
• Change your socks when they become damp. If you have significant hyperhidrosis, taking a spare pair to work or school can make a big difference.
• Rotate your shoes. Avoid wearing the same damp pair day after day. Allow shoes and insoles to dry thoroughly in a well-ventilated area between uses.
• Choose breathable footwear where practical, particularly if you spend long periods in enclosed shoes or work boots.
• Use an antiperspirant rather than simply a deodorant. Antiperspirants containing aluminium salts can reduce sweat production, whereas deodorants mainly help control or disguise odour. Foot-safe antiperspirants are available specifically for this purpose.
• Consider absorbent insoles or foot powders where appropriate to help manage moisture inside footwear.

The aim isn't to keep your feet completely sweat-free, that's unrealistic. It's to keep sweating and moisture at a level where your feet stay comfortable and your skin stays healthy.

When Should I See A Podiatrist?

If excessive sweating, strong odour or skin changes persist despite good foot care, it is worth having your feet assessed.

At Masterton Foot Clinic, we can:

• Check for conditions such as Athlete’s foot, pitted keratolysis or other skin infections that may be contributing to the problem.
• Recommend appropriate antiperspirants, skin-care products and footwear strategies.
• Help treat skin problems that have developed because of excessive moisture.
• Advise when further medical investigation may be appropriate.

For more significant plantar hyperhidrosis, iontophoresis is an established treatment option. This involves passing a mild electrical current through water in contact with the feet to reduce sweat production and may be considered when topical antiperspirants aren't providing enough control.

Other medical treatments, including prescription medications and botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, may sometimes be considered for severe hyperhidrosis. These treatments aren't required for most people and would generally involve referral to an appropriate medical specialist.

Need more information or help? Book your appointment with our podiatrists in the Wairarapa by calling us at 06 370 4057 or book your appointment online here.