Your feet contain about 250,000 sweat glands each, which is way more than any other part of your body, so it’s no wonder that moisture-related foot odor is a major cause of trips to your foot doctor’s office. Bacteria and fungi love the moist environment inside your shoes so taking steps to keep your feet clean and dry will help decrease foot odor.

Foot odor can be caused by the following: 

  • Bacteria feeding on your sweat—The liquid produced by your sweat glands doesn’t have any odor until bacteria on your skin start feeding on it. Allowing your shoes to air out between wearing will help kill the bacteria and decrease the odor. An antimicrobial spray can be applied to your feet and inside your footwear.
  • Toenail and skin fungus—Athlete’s foot infections and fungal toenail infections are caused by a fungus that emits a powerful odor. Laser surgery can be used to attack toenail fungus with a minimum of disruption and discomfort.
  • Hyperhidrosis—This is a condition that causes extreme sweating that can affect the whole body or just specific areas. It often affects the palms, underarms, and feet. Each foot contains many thousands of sweat glands. Wearing moisture-wicking socks can help control it.

    • For help treating foot odor and to find out if it’s caused by some underlying condition, contact your foot doctor for the proper care. At Atlantic Foot and Ankle Specialists, Dr. Melissa Robitaille and Dr. Todd Newsom treat virtually all types of foot and ankle disorders including bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and heel pain. Equipped with leading-edge technologies such as extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and laser surgery for toenail fungus, we provide specialized, compassionate service for patients in the Pooler, Georgia area of Chatham County. For any pain and discomfort you are experiencing with your feet and ankles, contact us today at (912) 988-3323.