Do your feet put the 'odor' in 'odoriferous'??

There are many commercials which are on television about erectile dysfunction, and I feel that in our profession the equivalent to this topic as far as being embarrassing for many patients is the topic of foot odor. Many people suffer from this condition, and it is usually ignored as a medical problem. The truth is that it can lead to several medical condition which are seen very commonly in the office of a foot and ankle surgeon.

The medical term for this excessive sweating is "hyperhydrosis" and it literally means "excessive water" or if you read between the lines even further, could mean abundant moisture.

Complications of hyperhidrosis include:

Fungal nail infections. People who sweat profusely are prone to many types of fungal infections. That's because fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, such as sweaty shoes. That's also why you're more likely to get an infection in your toenail than in your fingernail. A nail infection usually begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your nail. As the fungal infection spreads deeper, your nail may discolor, thicken and develop crumbling edges. Sometimes your nail may separate from the nail bed, and the skin around it may become red and swollen. You may even detect a slight odor.
Bacterial infections and warts. Hyperhidrosis can contribute to bacterial infections, especially around hair follicles or between your toes. It's also associated with warts. When you have hyperhidrosis, warts may take a while to go away after treatment and they have a tendency to recur.
Social and emotional consequences. People with hyperhidrosis typically have excessive sweating of the soles and palms, which may produce clammy hands and unpleasant foot odor. As a result, they can experience significant psychological, social, educational and occupational consequences.
Other skin conditions. Certain skin conditions, such as eczema and skin rashes, occur more frequently in people with hyperhidrosis. It may be that excessive sweating exacerbates skin inflammation.


Treatment for this may range from simple shoe and sock changes, to topical over the counter therapy. And in some instances we need to prescribe a formal treatment from your local pharmacy. In most cases, we are able to control this nuisance and allow you to return to your life without being as self conscious about your feet.

Palliative care:
Essentially, one must cycle through white socks regularly, throwing away older socks that are worn or have an odor even after washing them.
Change shoe gear and if you are active you should have new shoes for your activity every few months. Some runners should change their shoe gear every 3 months, as the miles take a toll on the materials of the shoes you use anyhow.