Foot odour

Sweaty feet and unpleasant odour are quite a common problem which cannot always be avoided, even with perfect hygiene. However, the causes of foot odour are usually simple and very easy to eliminate. Read our tips on how to eliminate foot odour, discover the best foot deodorants and don’t give unpleasant odour a chance!

What causes foot odour?

Foot odour, or bromodosis, is caused by bacterial overgrowth on sweaty feet that feeds on dead skin cells. These bacteria then excrete waste products containing butyric acid, which is responsible for the unpleasant odour. The cause of smelly feet therefore creates ideal conditions for bacteria to grow, as not only do they have plenty of food, but are also at the optimum temperature and humidity thanks to the sweat on our socks and shoes.

The first step is to remove the bacteria on the feet that are responsible for the odour and to reduce foot perspiration in shoes as much as possible. How do you go about this?

• If possible, wash your feet using antibacterial soap in warm water, up to several times a day.
• Remove hardened dead skin from your feet regularly.
• Cut and clean your toenails often.
• Always dry your feet carefully after washing.
• Wear high-quality footwear made from breathable materials.
• Alternate your footwear. Leave your shoes to dry out for at least 24 hours after wear.
• In summer, wear mostly open shoes and air your feet frequently.
• Avoid synthetic materials in your socks and change your socks, several times a day if needed.
• Avoid wearing shoes that are too tight.
• Avoid walking barefoot as this makes it easier to pick up fungi from the floor, carpets or, for instance, communal showers.

Choose antiperspirant and deodorant foot products

What is guaranteed to work for foot odour? Prevention! Only regular and thorough foot care really helps avoid smelly feet, reducing sweaty feet and avoiding a faux pas.

Powders and foot powders ensure a pleasantly dry and fragrant feeling on the skin, as they do a perfect job of absorbing moisture, absorbing odour and soothing the skin on the feet. Plus, the sanitiser content makes them work similarly to deodorants.

Our tip: We recommend applying foot powders in the morning and evening to completely dry feet to ensure the best effects and stop them making slightly damp feet greasy.

Hardened skin on the feet, combined with sweat, creates an ideal breeding ground for the bacteria that cause foot odour. You should therefore ideally take the time to carefully remove it once a week. The following will help:

• A pumice stone is an inexpensive tool you can use to mechanically buff hardened skin after a bath.
• A handy electric foot file does all the work for you. Quickly and efficiently.
• While showering, you can also try a foot scrub, which helps to slough off dead skin cells.
• Just put exfoliating foot mask socks on your feet for the time stipulated, then rinse your feet. In the following days, the old dead skin peels off by itself.

After exfoliation, don’t forget to follow up with moisturiser:

• Always use foot cream after bathing to soften the skin.
• Once a week, treat the skin with a moisturising foot mask. It nourishes and regenerates the skin intensively, preventing it from hardening and cracking.

You should change your socks at least once a day, and if you play sports or it’s hot, change them several times a day. Forget about synthetic materials; wear cotton socks, or even better, bamboo socks with silver nanoparticles or other antibacterial ingredients. These prevent the growth of bacteria and therefore foot odour!