Late summer can be tough. The sun is blazing, humidity can be high, and that causes us to sweat a lot, especially our feet. It may result in offensive foot odors. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with these quick and easy tips to deal with stinky feet.

Usually, the cause of foot odor is a fungal problem. Fungi flourish in warm, dark, moist environments, making the feet the perfect host for fungal problems like athlete’s foot and fungal nails. The symptoms of athlete’s foot are itchy, burning feet with scaling and redness between the toes. Several over-the-counter creams, sprays, and powders are available to treat athlete’s foot. Just make sure you consult an experienced podiatrist first.

Fungal infections that cause foot odor can be prevented by the following suggestions:

• Wash and dry your feet thoroughly. Make sure you dry between the toes.
• Use powder to keep the feet dry.
• Keep socks and footwear clean and dry. If there’s excessive sweating, remember to change socks several times daily.
• Wear footwear made of breathable materials that allow air to circulate the feet. Avoid constricting footwear like stockings and certain kinds of socks that can trap moisture and perspiration on the feet.
• Never share socks or footwear.
• Never use someone else’s foot hygiene instruments, such as emery boards, nail clippers, or foot files.
• Try to avoid walking barefoot in public areas like showers, pools, and locker rooms. When visiting those places, wear flip-flops or shower shoes.
• Try this quick tip: a black tea foot soak. Using two tea bags per pint of water, brew strong black tea by boiling it for 15 minutes; add two quarts of cold water and soak the feet for half an hour daily for seven days in a row. This can help with sweaty feet.

You can also be prescribed ointments to apply to the feet at bedtime after being seen by a podiatrist. Plus, medical treatments and surgical procedures can control extremely sweaty feet.

Contact a specialist immediately if you find an issue or are experiencing pain or discomfort. Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico, Dr. Donal M. Erickson, Dr. Keith Sherman, and their staff will help diagnose and treat your foot or ankle. Call Syracuse Podiatry, located in East Syracuse, New York, for more tips and expert advice. Call 315-446-3668 or make an appointment online today.