What causes smelly feet (and what to do about them)

If you’ve ever noticed a bit of a ‘whiff’ when you slip off your shoes, you’re not the only one. Smelly feet – aka ‘foot odour’ or ‘bromhidrosis’ if you want to get technical – isn’t something most of us enjoy talking about, but it’s a fairly common problem.

So we asked dermatologist Dr Liz Dawes-Higgs to help us understand the causes of smelly feet, and share her top tips to reduce any odour.

What makes feet smell?

While foot odour can have different causes, the leading issue is sweat.

Did you know that each of your feet has around 250,000 sweat glands, and may produce up to a cup of sweat each day?

That’s not necessarily a problem if you ‘air out your toes’ to allow the sweat to dry off. But Dr Liz says that in the wrong conditions, “this sweat can make your feet a breeding ground for certain kinds of odour-causing bacteria.” 

She explains that, “regularly wearing closed-in shoes or boots, especially in hot, humid conditions, can trap the sweat and bacteria.” When the bacteria flourish, they begin to create that characteristic odour we all want to avoid.

Another common cause of smelly feet is a fungus called Tinea pedis – aka athlete’s foot - which also thrives in warm, moist environments.

If you think you have Tinea speak to your pharmacist or doctor, so you can seek appropriate treatment. 

Wear socks or open shoes, and avoid wearing the same shoes two days in a row

Tips to reduce the odour of smelly feet

1. Help your feet to beat the heat

Dr Liz’s top tip for reducing odour is to keep your feet cool and dry. This might include:

• towel-drying them thoroughly after every wash
• wearing open shoes (eg. sandals) when it’s warm
• using sports socks that are specifically designed to keep feet dry if you need to wear closed shoes

2. Swap out your footwear regularly

Dr Liz’s second suggestion is to change your shoes often. 

Swapping out shoes gives them time to air out, so aim to never wear the same pair two days in a row. (And if you needed an excuse to go shoe-shopping, you’re welcome!)

3. Consider using an antiperspirant

Because sweating is such an intrinsic factor in foot odour, Dr Liz says that, “some people can also benefit from using antiperspirant on their soles.”

Try applying one to towel-dried soles in the evening, and then washing it off in the morning.

Keeping your feet cool and dry may help to reduce the odour of smelly feet

Get help to put your best foot forward

Nobody wants to admit out loud that they have a ‘smelly feet’ problem. But if none of Dr Liz’s tips work for you, perhaps more specialised personal advice from a health professional will help. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out to your GP or a dermatologist – your feet (and nose) will thank you!

Related:

• Why do I have adult acne and how do I get rid of it?
• How your life stage impacts your skin (and what you can do about it)
• How to help your teenager with pimples

Dr Elizabeth Dawes-Higgs is an award winning dermatologist with extensive experience in the world of medicine, business leadership and education. She is passionate about a range of topics including laser dermatology, the treatment of scarring and skin cancer management.

Reviewed by the healthylife Advisory Board October 2021.