Foot odor causes affliction to people. One can easily have the treatment of this problem easily at home. There are also some cases when one has to visit a doctor to get rid of this odor. It is important for a person to understand the basic cause of foot odor before starting its treatment.
What makes feet smell bad?
Our feet have a number of sweat glands, which perspire as well. When these glands perspire a number of chemicals are released. The skin of our feet has bacteria that multiply on warm feet. When these bacteria interact with the released chemicals they start smelling bad. These bacteria survive in damp, dark and warm shoes.
Causes
A number of things can cause foot odor. This can include normal sweating of the feet, fungal infections, bacterial infections and athlete's foot. A treatment is possible with a simple change in lifestyle, but sometimes it requires medication as well.
Foot Sweating
A foot odor occurs when there is sweat. The sweat trapped inside the socks and shoes of a person takes the form of stinky smell. The feet of the body have more sweat glands than any other part of the body and they also have the ability to sweat profusely. When the feet enclosed in socks and shoes sweats and is not able to evaporate, causes bacteria and sweat to produce isovaleric acid. It is an acid, which leads to the problem. There are also many factors that lead to increase in sweating like hormonal changes, certain drugs, increased stress and hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is a condition, which tends human body to sweat excessively.
Fungal Foot Infections
Fungal infection is also one of the causes. It affects the toenails and sometimes also the skin under the toenails. The foot fungal infection gets in through an opening between the nail and skin beneath the toenails. It can also be caused through cuts in the skin. Most of the infections don't create any serious problem.
Bacterial Foot Infection
Bacterial foot infection usually occurs due to traumatic injury or tissue loss. This also results in foot odor as well. The infection has three types: soft tissue, bone and diabetes related. Most of the times, the infections are not much serious. They occur when bacteria enter into feet. A wound or another infection can be a source for this bacterial foot infection.
Athlete's Foot
A fungal infection, which affects the skin of the foot, is known as athlete's foot. This bad odor is caused by the same fungus, which is responsible for ringworm. This fungus is usually acquired by walking barefoot in salons, gyms, locker rooms, and pools. Socks and shoes, which carry this fungus, can be a source of the athlete's foot as well. It is spread with the direct contact of the person with infected people or objects.
Treatment
The treatment depends upon the causes. It is suggested that those who experience the problem due to excessive sweating should wash their feet often. It is also important to dry the feet completely after washing them. One should wear cotton socks and use absorbent powder. People suffering from bacterial infection should use the prescribed medicines of their medical consultant. Fungal infections and athlete's foot are treated with antifungal medications. Good foot hygiene helps in preventing and reoccurring of the foot odor.
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