Do your feet smell bad? Foot odor is an embarrassing problem. Although there are many potential solutions (read about some of them here and here), it can sometimes be difficult to deal with stinky feet. One reader found an answer that may help others.
Persistent Foot Odor:
Q. I have had foot odor all my life. I have tried sprays, foot powder, soaps and Odor Eaters. I’ve rotated my shoes every day and sprayed them with Lysol and Febreze.
The only thing that helped at all was Dr. Oz’s suggestion to soak your feet in vinegar water every day, which was difficult to do faithfully. I usually have to throw shoes out after three months.
Hand Sanitizer Helped More Than Anything Else:
Last year I tried hand sanitizer on my feet. I rubbed a small amount on them each day after bathing or showering, and the odor was gone. I guess that it kills the bacteria that cause the odor. I hope this helps others facing the same problem.
A. Perspiration feeds the bacteria that produce foot odor. Feet sweat a lot, and shoes often trap it and intensify the problem. In winter, when people wear waterproof boots that don’t breathe, the problem may become worse.
Thank you for an ingenious suggestion. Using hand sanitizers probably discourages bacterial overgrowth. Many such products contain alcohol that kills germs.
