Stinky Feet No, it's not the most glamorous topic to speak on, but I have been bombarded with questions about stinky feet.  It is annoying, embarrassing and some people have to deal with it every single day.  Occasional foot odor is not what I am talking about here.  I want to speak to chronic foot odor.  Those of you who have it, know exactly what I am talking about.

Smells are triggers and I am very sensitive to foot odor.  I have this memory that I cannot shake of my grandmother coming home from work, talking off her shoes and clearing the room.  It was such a specific, unpleasant smell that I can still remember to this day.  Oh, grandma!

What causes foot odor?

Well, it all comes down to bacteria.  Bacteria love a moist environment and thrive in a dark, damp place like the inside of your shoes.  These bacteria feed on sweat and then turn that sweat into organic acids which have a very strong odor to them.  Couple this with a person who tends to produce a lot of sweat whether it be from their physiology, excessive anxiety, medications or other skin conditions and you have a prime situation for feet that smell out of control.

The causes of foot odor are not hazardous to your health, BUT they do create an environment that can cause proliferation of bacteria and other micro-organisms which can lead to bigger issues such as infections and other skin issues.

I have compiled some home remedies I know to work.  However, please contact your physician if you are continuing to struggle with chronic foot odor and let them know what remedies you have tried on your own. 

Josh's Stinky Feet Tips

• Wash those feet daily, two times a day when possible.  Be sure to get in between the toes.  Use a gentle nail brush to wash the tops of the nails and the area underneath the nail that is exposed.  DO NOT get carried away with using a nail brush.  Use it as a tool to help you keep your toes clean, don't want to rub your feet raw or break the skin.  After cleansing your feet, dry them off completely.  If you have sandals, put them on to allow your feet to air-dry before putting shoes on.
• While at home, go barefoot or wear sandals.  The less confined your feet are, the better.
  
• Wear socks.  I am not even going to elaborate on this one more than this...sweating directly into your shoes is only going to shorten the life of your shoes by quickly creating a hostile environment for your feet.  Don't go sock-less. 
  
• Wear cotton socks.  Not synthetic socks.  Cotton is absorbent and will help draw moisture away from your feet.  If it is feasible, change your socks mid-day.  Put your used socks in a bag that seals and keep them in your brief case (just make sure you remember to take them out and put them in the dirty clothes bin when you get home).
• Soak your feet in tea.  Apparently, black tea is best, but you can also use green tea.   [Add two tea bags in a pint of water. Boil it for 10 minutes. Now add two quarts of cool water and soak your feet in the cool solution.]  I have big feet and I do not own a foot bath so I use a small plastic storage bin as a foot bath.  If you do not have time for a full-on soak, stop up the drain while you shower and put a tea bag in the shower basin.  Just test it out to make sure the tea doesn't stain the often porous material used to make showers.  Green Tea might be the best alternative for this because it is lighter in color.
• Have alternate shoes.  Try to not wear the same shoes two days in a row.  This goes for gym shoes, as well as work shoes.  I know that sounds like a bit of luxury, but it will seriously make a difference allowing your shoes to completely air-out and dry between wears.  When I am in the city running around all day, I always put my shoes in front of the air vent when I get home or to my hotel when I travel - even if they don't stink.  I want my shoes to last so I do this to make extra sure everything gets dry before the next wear.  I am not just talking about construction boots.  You don't want your expensive dress shoes to become so stinky you can't wear them for more than a month.  And if your shoes smell bad after you dry them out, you must discard them.  It is a shame, but true.
  
• Use a foot powder or foot deodorant.  Just don't over do it.  More is definitely more and can be too much.  You want your feet to be dry before you put them in socks and then into shoes. 
  

Neglecting foot odor is not a good option.  Foot odor is a sign that something is out of whack and you have to take steps to make things better ASAP or else it could snowball and lead to worse things.

I hope you find these tips helpful.  I am definitely speaking from experience, but if you have other tips, please comment below and share them with the fellas. 

Here's to fresh-smelling feet in the future.

Take care of you!

Josh