Some people find that they are most troubled with stinky feet in the summertime when the weather is hot and their feet sweat. Others suffer year round. For them, wearing sandals in the summer when they can may actually help a little bit, as the feet are not enclosed. Either way, damp feet are a hospitable environment for bacteria that cause foot odor. What can be done?
Tea Soaks for Stinky Feet:
Q. I went through a phase of smelly feet. After checking your website, I soaked my feet in water infused with used tea bags every other day. Within several weeks, the problem resolved. As you stated, it’s also important to rotate the shoes and not wear the same pair two days in a row.
A. Tea contains tannic acid. This compound is responsible for the distinctive astringent taste of tea. It also strengthens the skin’s barrier against sweat permeating the outer layers (Experimental Dermatology, Aug. 2018).
Even more importantly, tannic acid disrupts the production of a stinky compound by skin bacteria called Staphylococcus hominis (International Microbiology, June 24, 2024). S. hominis contributes to human body malodor, and tannic acid might be helpful as a natural deodorizing molecule.
Home Remedies for Foot Odor:
Q. I have read many questions about toenail fungus but not much about our issue. My daughter has hot sweaty feet that smell. She hates wearing socks because she says they make her feet too hot.
What can we do to relieve our problems–her hot, sweaty feet and our daily olfactory invasion? Her aunt also suffers with sweaty, smelly feet.
A. Warmth and moisture encourage the growth of bacteria that can contribute to foot odor. These conditions also allow the fungus that causes nail fungus and athlete’s foot to flourish.
Readers of our column have offered all sorts of remedies for such problems. One suggested drinking a chlorophyll solution from the health food store for smelly feet. A gentleman reported that diluted vinegar applications plus Vicks VapoRub helped both athlete’s foot and nail fungus.
Another reader shared that he had suffered from excessive foot sweat for years. He tried tannic acid (tea) to soak the feet and noted: “It works. My feet feel and smell better than they have in years.”
Campho-Phenique to Treat Stinky Feet:
Q. I recently read your answer to the person with smelly feet. I’d like to tell you what worked for me for 30 years. I was a waitress and had to wear solid shoes and nylons for long hours. My feet ached and smelled so bad I couldn’t stand them. I tried everything. Finally, Campho-Phenique worked wonders. It may help someone else.
A. Campho-Phenique contains camphor and phenol as main ingredients along with eucalyptus oil. It is primarily used for relieving minor skin irritations, cuts, scrapes and insect bites. Perhaps the antibacterial and antifungal nature of these old-fashioned ingredients helped clear up a lingering infection responsible for foot odor.
Learn More:
We have collected a number of suggestions from readers in our guides Unique Uses for Vicks and Smelly Feet.
