How to Fight (and Fix!) Foot Odor

Print
Share
Comment
Recommmend

When your stinky feet clear out the locker room, it's time to get to the "sole" of the problem. Here, expert advice on diagnosing foot odor, foot fungus, athlete's foot and more.

By the Editors of Fitness Magazine

Question: "I have bad foot odor, and nothing seems to help. Could I have some sort of fungus?

Answer: It depends on what your feet look like. If you also have scaling or peeling on the soles or between your toes, you probably have athlete's foot -- the most common foot fungus, according to Dr. Jaliman. Try using an over-the-counter antifungal powder, and if you work out, change your sweaty socks immediately afterward (you can also keep feet drier by wearing socks made of a wicking fabric like CoolMax). Also, make sure that your shoes fit properly -- if they're too tight, you may get blisters, which can increase the chance of a fungal or bacterial infection. If that doesn't help, talk to your doctor about a prescription antifungal medication, either topical or in pill form. If your feet look perfectly fine but just smell bad, it's probably due to an overgrowth of bacteria-try an antibacterial soap (like Dial) and wash them well with a washcloth.

Originally published in Fitness magazine.