Bromhidrosis – Smelly Feet

Bromhidrosis – Smelly Feet
Bromhydrosis, the medical name for smelly feet, can occur even if you are not sweaty or exercising and it doesn’t just affect teenagers. The problem is actually caused by increased sweating and the excreted waste products of bacteria and fungus that live in your shoes.

These micro-organisms not only smell bad, causing frequent embarrassment, but can lead to athlete’s foot, onychomycosis (fungal toenails), itchy blisters and other rashes from fungus, and potentially serious infections in diabetics and other immunosuppressed people.

Each foot has over 250,000 sweat glands producing 300-400 mL of sweat per day, leading to a very warm, moist environment inside your shoes and a perfect place to harbor these bugs.

Symptoms
– Malodourous feet – some say like mouldy cheese
– Moist, wet feet
– Rashes
– Infection

Treatment
The most important way to relieve bromhidrosis is to keep your feet clean and dry.
– Shower regularly with anti-bacterial soap.
– Use foot powders and sprays specifically designed to keep feet dry.
– Change your shoes and socks often.
– Rotate your shoes (especially athletic shoes).
– Use insoles that can be changed frequently to prevent the odor from staying in your shoe.
– Wear sandals during warm weather.
– Launder, disinfect or discard foul smelling shoes.

If foot odour persists, and excessive sweating also becomes a problem please call Mint Foot Care Podiatry today on 1300 975 980 and book an appointment with our podiatrist today.