Foot Odor

What is that smell? It couldn't be your, er, your feet, could it? No, no, of course not. That would be so embarrassing. It must be, um, something else. Like maybe a piece of Limburger fell behind the sofa—last month. Yeah, that's it. Cheese. Behind the couch. Been there awhile.

Well, thank goodness that's settled. Now you won't even have to read these odor-eating tips from the experts. Now you can go and do something else.

But first, could you maybe put your shoes back on—and stick around for the following advice?

Wash—often. It may sound elementary, the experts agree, but you should keep your feet scrupulously clean. Use warm, soapy water and wash your feet as often as needed—several times a day if you perspire a lot or notice an odor. Scrub gently with a soft brush, even between your toes, and be sure to dry your feet thoroughly.

Powder your toes. After washing, apply foot powder, cornstarch, or an antifungal spray. Another good method for keeping feet cool and dry, says private practice podiatrist Suzanne M. Levine, D.P.M., clinical assistant podiatrist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, is to treat your shoes—sprinkle the insides with talcum powder or cornstarch.

Use an antiperspirant. The key to controlling odor is to use either an antiperspirant or a deodorant right on your feet. You can buy foot deodorants or simply use your underarm brand. Be aware, however, that although deodorants eliminate odor, they don't stop perspiration. Antiperspirants take care of both problems. Dr. Levine recommends products that contain aluminum chloride hexahydrate.

But don't use an antiperspirant if you have active athlete's foot lesions, says Stephen Weinberg, D.P.M., director of podiatry at Columbus Hospital's Running and Sports Medicine Clinic in Chicago, Illinois, because it will sting. "In addition, I recommend roll-on products rather than sprays because most of a spray's antiperspirant action is lost in the air. Use the product two or three times a day in the beginning, then gradually cut back to once a day."

Change your socks—often. The logical approach to excessively sweaty, odoriferous feet, says Glenn Copeland, D.P.M., a podiatrist practicing at Toronto's Women's College Hospital, is to change socks as frequently as possible—even three or four times a day. And always wear socks made of natural fibers, such as cotton, because they are far more absorbent than synthetic materials.

Double up on them. You may also be able to reduce perspiration by wearing two pair of socks at a time, says Frederick Hass, M.D., a general practitioner in San Rafael, California. At first glance this might seem like a contradiction, but the air spaces that form between the two layers of material actually enhance cooling. Wear cotton socks next to the skin and a woolen pair on the outside. Avoid synthetics because they only encourage perspiration.

Show shoe sense. "Closed shoes aggravate sweaty feet and set up a perfect environment for bacteria to grow, leading to more odor and more sweat," says Dr. Levine. Choose sandals and open-toed shoes when appropriate, but stay away from rubber and plastic shoes, which don't allow feet to breathe easily. And never wear the same shoes two days in a row. It takes at least 24 hours for shoes to dry out thoroughly.

Sleep on it. Maryland podiatrist Mark D. Sussman, D.P.M., recommends this nighttime treatment to help dry up feet: Wash your feet thoroughly with rubbing alcohol to dry and cool them. Then apply a heavy-duty deodorant such as Mitchum to the bottom of each foot. Cover the foot with plastic wrap (to induce sweating so the deodorant can penetrate the foot better). Pull a sock over the wrap and sleep with it on. In the morning, wash off the excess powder. Repeat every night for one week, then once or twice a week as needed.

Take frequent soaks. Various soaking agents can help keep the feet dry, which may also control odor.

Tea. Tannin, which can be found in tea bags, is a drying agent. Boil three or four tea bags in 1 quart of water for about 10 minutes, then add enough cold water to make a comfortable soak, instructs dermatologist Diana Bihova, M.D., clinical instructor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center in New York City.

Soak your feet for 20 to 30 minutes, then dry them and apply food powder. Dr. Bihova says to do this twice a day until you get the problem under control. Repeating it twice a week thereafter should keep odor from recurring.

Kosher salt. For extra-sweaty feet, Dr. Levine recommends soaking in a solution of 1/2 cup kosher salt (which is coarser than ordinary table salt) in 1 quart of water.

Aluminum acetate. Try soaking once or twice daily in a solution of cool water and aluminum acetate, which has drying properties, says Dr. Hass. To use, dissolve either 1 packet Domeboro powder or 2 tablespoons Burow's Solution (both available over-the-counter) in 1 pint of water, then soak for 10 to 20 minutes at a time.

Sodium bicarbonate. This makes the foot surface more acidic, thereby cutting down on the amount of odor produced, says Dr. Levine. Dissolve 1 tablespoon baking soda in 1 quart of water. Soak twice a week for about 15 minutes at a time.

Vinegar. Another acid footbath Dr. Levine recommends is 1/2 cup vinegar in 1 quart of water. Soak for 15 minutes twice a week.

Hot and cold water. Alternate hot and cold footbaths, says Dr. Levine. This procedure constricts the blood flow to your feet, reducing perspiration. Then fix yourself a third footbath of ice cubes and lemon juice. Finally, rub your feet with alcohol to cool and dry them. In hot weather, when your feet perspire a lot, you could probably do this every day. Warning: Diabetics and those with impaired circulation should not use this treatment.

Heed sage advice. Europeans sometimes sprinkle the fragrant herb sage into their shoes to control odor, says Dr. Levine. Perhaps a dash of these dry, crumbled leaves will do the trick for you.

Try inserts. Some shoe inserts, such as Johnson's Odor-Eaters, contain activated charcoal, which absorbs moisture and helps control odor. Dr. Levine says these products have helped some of her patients.

Stay cool. The sweat glands in your feet, similar to those in your armpits and palms, respond to emotions, says Richard L. Dobson, M.D., head of the Department of Dermatology at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine. Stress, whether good or bad, can trigger excessive sweating. That, in turn, can increase bacterial activity in your shoes, leading to extra odor. So try not to get frazzled.

Watch what you eat. As bizarre as this may sound, says Dr. Levine, when you eat spicy or pungent foods (such as onions, peppers, garlic, or scallions), the essence of these odors can be excreted through the sweat glands on your feet. So, yes, your feet can end up smelling like your lunch!

PANEL OF ADVISERS

Diana Bihova, M.D., is a dermatologist in private practice and clinical instructor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center in New York City. She is coauthor of Beauty from the Inside Out.

Glenn Copeland, D.P.M., is a podiatrist with a private practice at Toronto's Women's College Hospital. He is also consulting podiatrist for the Canadian Back Institute, podiatrist for the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team, and author of The Foot Doctor.

Richard L. Dobson, M.D., is head of the Department of Dermatology at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine in Charleston.

Frederick Hass, M.D., is a general practitioner in San Rafael, California. He is on the staff of Marin General Hospital in Greenbrae. He is the author of The Foot Book and What You Can Do about Your Headaches.

Neal Kramer, D.P.M., is a podiatrist in private practice in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Suzanne M. Levine, D.P.M., is a podiatrist in private practice and clinical assistant podiatrist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. She is author of My Feet Are Killing Me and Walk It Off.

Mark D. Sussman, D.P.M., is a podiatrist in Wheaton, Maryland. He is coauthor of How to Doctor Your Feet without the Doctor and The Family Foot-Care Book.

Stephen Weinberg, D.P.M., is director of podiatry at Columbus Hospital's Running and Sports Medicine Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.