How to Fight (and Fix!) Foot Odor

SPECIAL OFFER: - Limited Time Only!
(The ad below will not display on your printed page)

SAVE EVEN MORE! Say "Yes" to Fitness® Magazine today and get a second year for HALF PRICE – 2 full years (20 issues) for just $15. You also get our new Fitness Band and Total Body Express Band Workout ABSOLUTELY FREE! (U.S. orders only)

Email:

First Name:

Last Name:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

100% Money-Back Guarantee: You must be pleased, or you may cancel any time during the life of your subscription and receive a refund on any unserved issues – no questions asked. Fitness® Magazine is currently published 10 times annually – subject to change without notice. Double issues may be published, which count as 2 issues. Applicable sales tax will be added. E-mail address required to access your account and member benefits online. We will not share your e-mail address with anyone. Click here to view our privacy policy.

« Back |

How to Fight (and Fix!) Foot Odor

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.