Foot Odor Treatments

• Dr. James Christina, D.P.M., president of the Maryland Podiatric Association recommends sweet smelling cedar to help freshen shoes while not in use.
• Associates such as Steve Guida, D.P.M., a Fort Lauderdale, Florida podiatrist recommends synthetic socks to reduce moisture buildup around the feet. The feet tend to accumulate moisture there as opposed to other areas where cotton may be more appropriate. Less moisture means fewer fungi and bacteria that can develop around the feet.
• Watch what you eat. Do you have an affinity for hot and spicy foods? For some people, certain spicy foods result in excess sweating of the feet. Try to wash your feet quickly after a meal of spicy food if you have observed this cause over time.
• Insert an odor controller such as a charcoal insert into your shoes. Charcoal inserts work to lower sweating of the foot. Most pharmacies have a stock of charcoal inserts.
• Go the organic route in your shoe purchase. Shoes made with natural material like leather allow for better circulation than synthetic materials, like plastics.
• Try to apply powders like Tinactin to the feet as a proactive means of reducing sweating in the feet. Make sure to apply these powders before sweating has begun. Powders like Tinactin can help kill odor-causing fungus.
• Make frequent changes to your socks and shoes. Bacteria and fungi have a harder time growing in clean dry areas. If you are participating in physical activities like sports, try bringing along and an extra pair of shoes and socks. Try to change your shoes and socks a couple of times during the day if they are getting warm and moist.
• One remedy that has stood the test of time has been a foot bath in a mixture of warm water and Domeboro.
• Try to treat severe foot odor with Drysol. Drysol is prescribed in the more severe cases where other treatments have failed. The medication will actually plug up some of the sweat glands.
• Consumption of tea has been known to help lessen foot odor due to its ingredient, tannic acid. To treat foot odor, fill a trey with a mixture of water tannic acid containing tea, and soak your feet for 15 minutes. Dry the area thoroughly after cleaning.
• Try to find a solution with an antiperspirant. The primary cause of foot odor is sweating. An antiperspirant should be the first line of defense against excessive sweating. Except in the most extreme of cases, an antiperspirant cream or spray will work effectively.
• In some cases of excess sweating, you can wrap your toes with small pieces of lamb's wool, which are available in most pharmacies. Lamb's wool can work its way around the toes and foot and absorv most of the moisture. Kame sure to exchange the pieces a couple of time daily.
• Formaldehyde -10 spray may be applied in some of the most severe cases of foot odor and sweaty feet. Formaldehyde is a spray obtained by physician prescription that contains both mint and formaldehyde and is designed to alleviate even the most smelly feet. Though the stuff is used in the most severe instances, it does produce results.