How to get rid of smelly feet?

Alright, look—I’m 25, which means I’m living my life just like anyone else my age. But I have a massive, humiliating problem with my feet. They smell absolutely terrible. And I don’t just mean after a long day grinding in sneakers; I mean I can wash them, spray them down, put my shoes on, and within thirty minutes of walking somewhere, the stench is back. It’s constant. Honestly, I’m beyond embarrassed about it.

On top of that, since I’m basically living in shoes all day lately, I’ve noticed my feet are sweating like crazy, and the skin on my soles and between my toes has become incredibly dry and cracked.

I am being diligent—I wash my feet regularly and I use sprays—but nothing works. Does this require a dermatologist, or is there some other specialist I should be seeing? I really don't know where to start here.

Please, if you have any suggestions for some kind of first aid until I can actually get to a doctor, let me know. Because right now, it’s genuinely gross.

Megan Wilson8 said:So, I’m 25 and living my life just like any other young person. But I have a massive issue with my feet. They smell absolutely terrible. And it isn't just after wearing sneakers all day; even if I wash them thoroughly, put them on, and walk for just half an hour, the smell comes right back. It’s honestly embarrassing.

Also, since I've been spending most of my time in shoes lately, I've noticed my feet sweat even more, and the skin on my soles and between my toes has become incredibly dry and cracked.

I wash my feet regularly and use various sprays, but nothing works. Should I see a dermatologist or someone else for this? I’m really not sure who handles this kind of thing.

And please, recommend anything for immediate relief until I can actually get to a doctor, because right now, it's pretty gross.

You probably have athlete's foot. You're going to need an antifungal, so go see a doctor so they can prescribe something specific.
Pick up some pure lavender oil—it's a fantastic natural antiseptic—and try doing foot baths. Just drop about 5 or 6 drops into a basin of warm water mixed with a spoonful of baking soda. Also, once you've soaked your feet, dry them off with a clean towel that goes straight into the laundry immediately afterward. Apply some Nivea lotion, maybe mix in a few drops of that lavender oil, and massage it gently into your skin, making sure to get between your toes. Your footwear absolutely has to be made from natural materials—think leather or canvas—that actually breathe. Forget those plastic-heavy sneakers and synthetic shoes. Grab some leather sandals or canvas flats for the warmer days. Same goes for socks: stick to cotton. Throw away all that synthetic stuff; it’s basically a breeding ground for whatever you're dealing with.
I'm afraid you might have to toss your old shoes, at least the ones you can't sanitize in a high-heat washing machine cycle or disinfect some other way.
Oh, and you can also drop some lavender oil onto the insoles of your shoes.👍

Hi everyone,

I have a question regarding an issue that's been bothering me for years—I was actually on the verge of finding a permanent fix until security at the airport confiscated my solution for safety reasons... quite frustrating.

Foot odor and bacteria are massive issues for me. I once found a specific spray at a Dick's Sporting Goods in the USA that killed bacteria effectively and actually smelled decent. I tried tracking down the exact same one through their online store, but no luck there.

Does anyone have recommendations for a product that handles odor and bacteria that I can pick up here in the States? If you do, please let me know which brand it is, where to find it, the price point, and whether it’s actually worth the investment... I'd love to hear if you're satisfied with it.

Regards,

stormycobra42