Ever go for a pedicure and wonder if your nail tech can smell your feet? Now we are getting personal! As colder weather arrives, your toes go back in to socks and closed shoes. Add a little sweat and here we have the ingredients for a classic case of foot odor. But really, what can we do for that? Does anything really work? What is causing the odor in the first place? Step in for a stinky ride and let’s jump in to this embarrassing topic feet first!

When your feet are in socks, inside shoes, stuffed up, they can’t breathe! It is like they are in a sauna, and when moisture gets trapped and has the inability to dry properly, bacteria forms. What are bacteria?

Bacteria are microorganisms too small for the naked eye to see.

They aren’t friendly little guys either, which is why they make your feet smell bad when/if they form inside your socks or on your skin. If not taken care of, they can cause disease. So what can you do about this? Sure, you’ve washed them, scrubbed them, maybe even used a special kind of soap, multiple times a day. This seems like the answer but just because you wash them does not mean that the bacteria is gone. When you put your feet in your shoes the next day, the odor comes back. To put your mind to rest, we have 4 tips to reduce and prevent foot odor.

1. If you wear closed-toed shoes, pick a pair of socks that are made of wicking material. Cotton socks trap moisture.

2. Don’t ever wear the same pair of footwear two days in a row. If your feet sweat, not only are your socks filled with moisture but your shoes are too, and they need a day at least to dry out.

3. Use deodorant! Your feet when in shoes is a dark, moist place. So like other areas of the body where you may use it, don’t forget to include your feet! You can even spray your insoles with deodorant.

4. Washing them does help, but make sure your feet are completely dry before putting them into any closed item. This is especially affective for people who tend to shower in the morning.

If you follow those 4 steps and you find that it is still a potent problem, or if you find yourself excessively sweating and not just on your feet, you should visit a doctor. There is a condition for people who produce an overabundance of sweat called hyperhidrosis, and it is treatable.

Lastly, do not be afraid to talk to your nail tech about this!

They are more than willing to assist you in finding a helpful product, give you tips on what to do, or simply just relate. This problem is common, so remember you are not the only one!