So my feet start to sweat and i tried all kinds of remidies and by the way im 17 years old. When i go to school my feet start sweating and it smell so bad even with my shoes on. Plus i wash my feet everyday with anti-bacterial soap.Its embarrassing that no one want to sit close to me. I just bought new shoes too n the smell still the same. Can anyone help me. please and thank you
Need help and opinion about why my feet stink with shoes on?
Question posted by Alfon on 20 April 2012
Last updated on 15 April 2024
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
37 Answers Page 3
afterlife
15 June 2015
Dear Alfon,
I've had the problem of severe foot odor even with shoes on and have recently managed to control it after 3 long and embarassing years that almost drove me into depression and social isolation. There's no magic solution or product, or at least i have not found any, but you can drastically reduce even severe foot odor if your approach is as scientific as possible. Here are my suggestions:
1) Get a diagnosis for plantar hyperhidrosis from a podiatry clinic so you know what the cause for your problem is. Tell them to take a sample from your skin for bacteria analysis if possible.
2) Kill bacteria with strong anti-bacterial substances such as boric acid or manuka oil (research indicates its 10 times more effective at killing odor-causing bacteria than black tea acid). Gehwol foot deodorant cream worked great for me, if you cant find it in your country (i live in Greece) then look for a deodorant with at least 40% manuka oil contentrate. Do not get discouraged if you dont see immediate results, i saw an improvement only after 2 weeks of daily use.
3) Decrease foot sweating by using an antiperspirant rich in aluminium and also take oxibutynin pills, or any other anti-cholinergic medication. Google it to learn more about its anti-sweating effects.
4) Disinfect your shoes once per week with alcohol and bleach.
5) Keep following the very basic rules of preventing smelly feet (rotating shoes, anti-bacterial soap, breathable shoes & socks, powders, odor inserts etc) that you can find everywhere in the internet. They wont solve the problem but they certainly help.
I hope this helps! My feet can still get a bit smelly after a long day at the office, but it is nowhere near as bad as it used to be.
Alfon
7 June 2017
Thank you for your respond but do you know about Plantar Bromhidrosis? Thanks for your time.
- Alfon
gregreaver
2 Nov 2017
Try using a pumice stone on soles of feet. Also rubbing alcohol on soles. spray shoes with alcohol.
Get a peet-dry devise to dry shoes. uv devise for sterilizing shoes. google uv shoe sterilzer.
dvmcg
28 Jan 2015
I have had stinky feet all my life. My wife suggested wearing sandals, like Chacos or Tevas, which was a practical suggestion since we live in Arizona. But rather than keep my feet from getting all sweaty, the footbed accumulated this black gunk in the creases which I have to scrub out, or throw the sandals in the washing machine. (The footbeds are a rubber-like material.) It wasn't until I bought a pair of sandals with a leather footbed that I realized my feet don't stink in leather shoes. At all. I had never noticed this with regular leather shoes (e.g. dress shoes) because I have never really worn them for an extended period, only a day at a time or so. But now I just make sure any shoes I buy have leather uppers (inside and out), or a leather footbed if sandals, and I'm good to go. No stink. It's amazing. Don't know why, but it works like a charm.
Oneskyhag
14 Dec 2014
I lived with this for years... I'm close to 70. I read an article a few years back in Readers Digest, I believe. I tried it and it worked.
6-8 black tea bags (like Lipton's)
boil for 20 minutes in quart of
water
Take off the stove and let it sit
until completely cool
Remove the tea bags when cool
Soak your feet for 20 minutes
then pat dry
Repeat 2-3 times per week or as needed
There is something in the black tea that is released when it's boiled for that long and then cooled. I'm thinking it's the tannin but I may be wrong. Try it and see if it works. You may have to do it 2 or 3 times for it to start working. Good luck!
Alfon
14 Dec 2014
Thank you for your help. I did that already but I'm willing to do it again and try it. I did the black tea like once a week but nothing changes the smell but I will definetely try it again. Thanks again.
Aj91
16 Dec 2014
Mr. Oneskyhag, did your feet smell with and without shoes? So if your wearing a pair of shoes, would your feet smell in the room? Have you used anything else beside the tea bags? Its really beneficial to share! who knows might help me or others to solve it.
Oneskyhag
16 Dec 2014
I have hyperhidrosis and when I was little my feet and hand would sweat profusely. My hands quit sweating I grew older but my feet never stopped. I found that if I washed them thoroughly everyday and wore cotton socks that helped somewhat with the odor; however, I had to wear pantyhose for my job and worked up to 14 hours a day (I'm a retired flight attendant). That's a lot of time in my shoes a day. I wore the same shoes for however long my trip was which was anywhere between 3 to 4 days. My foot odor was always present if I took my shoes off and they were ALWAYS wet. I tried the tea foot soaks and that helped me tremendously with the odor. I believe that the soak should be more often for people who have a real problem with odor perhaps at least once a day. I realize that would be going through a lot of tea bags but I would get the cheapest black tea and I could find even if it's loose yes. It would have to be stained then if it's loose. Hope this answers some questions.
Aj91
13 Dec 2014
Hi, I have the exact same problem, I've tried everything out there, STILL no improvement. I wonder after two years how did it go for you alfon ? I've been suffering with stinky feet with or without shoes for years, I'm just sick tired of this, I cant sit beside people, even sometimes nobody want to sit beside me. I really need help and suggestion, been to a podiatrist as well, didnt help at all ! WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Alfon
13 Dec 2014
Hello Aj91. Nothing changes its really still the same for me.On the first year it really bothers me because in class it was very difficult to focus when all you can think of is your feet smelling and your classmates know it's you its very hard, but you know I just ignore it and I do clean my feet everytime. Now Im in college I got use to it and just ignore it. If people know your feet stinks even when your feet is clean then ignore them just focus on what you do and don't let it get in your head and really stress. I know the podiatrist don't help at all because I went to my doctor and he thinks I was crazy because I told him my feet be smelling in class even with my shoes on and he didn't see anything problem with my foot. I also know my friends know my feet stink everytime we hangout it's really embarrassing eventhough I got shoes on it will still smell all around but I got use to it. Hope my little advice or my little story helps you out.
Aj91
13 Dec 2014
Thank you for sharing, I've been trying to ignore it for years, but I just can't take it anymore, my doctor said the same! Wow I really thought there was hope, I'm in college too, but the question is who would hire a guy with such a smell?
Aj91
13 Dec 2014
I'm rally not trying to make you feel bad about it, i'm just thinking loud, who knows what might help us to solve this problem!
Alfon
14 Dec 2014
I know what you mean. Just don't loose hope it will be solve.
Alfon
14 Dec 2014
I know what you mean by someone hiring a person with such a smell. The funny thing about my first job is I got hired in a pizza place so it smells like cheese and so people didn't really bother about the smell cause they got use to it thanks to the cheese that's smells like feet lol. The other job I was trying to apply was Comcast I was just trying to get an intership so I can get experience. I was so excited that I thought I was going to be hired because the person really like me and I had a good answers on the questions he was asking, but I was waiting for weeks and they hired a different person and I was bump out that is it because my feet smells that's why he didn't hire me or atleast call back. But after that I went to look for a job and now I'm working at a retail store. Just keep your head up. I know it's hard to ignore it when people notice it's your feet that's smelling and I had a lot of experience with classmates don't want to sit next to me or talk to me but I just focus on school and life.
Lisa01
25 April 2012
Alfon, I feel your pain! My daughter had the stinkiest feet and shoes in the history of mankind... believe me, we lived with it! Along with the foot powder, I also put Odor Eater inserts in her shoes. Worked like a charm. She could even kick her shoes off at a friend's house without embarrassment. The generic brand of inserts worked as well, in case cost is an issue. We also used to set her shoes outside on a sunny day and just let them air out and dry. Don't let yourself get totally embarrassed by this - you're not the first person with this problem and you definitely won't be the last! Good luck!
Alfon
26 April 2012
Yea thank you for the advice. I tried putting odor eater insert inside my shoe sole all three of my shoes but nothing really works. After for about 30 min the odor eater insert will get very dark and sweaty and I always wear cotton socks but nothing really change. my feet just started to get flaky now and I tried gold bond cream and powder but nothing really change. Thank you for your help and advice.
Lisa01
26 April 2012
Alfon, I'm so sorry that you aren't having more luck with our suggestions. I understand that you must be getting really frustrated at this point. I would definitely recommend that you see a pediatric for your problems. They have additional training that your regular Dr doesn't. In the meantime, be sure that you're wearing white cotton socks. Your skin could be reacting to the dye in colored socks. Don't use any sprays or powders if your skin starts to look red or irritated, you might be having an allergic reaction to the products. It also might help to wear shoes that have some ventilation to them. That will help your feet stay cooler and sweat less. Don't get too discouraged, I'm sure a pediatric will be able to help. Keep us posted on your progress. Lisa
Lisa01
26 April 2012
Of course I meant to see a Podiatrist and not a Pediatric. I keep forgetting to keep a watch on my auto- correct! Lisa
Inactive
25 April 2012
So sorry to hear your problem. How embarrassing especially in high school. DZoo gave you an excellent answer, I just want to add one thing. Please don't waste your money on those toxic removal things from Japan, that are supposed to remove any toxins from your body/feet while you sleep. They are a waste of money, and consumer groups are trying to get them off of the market, because they are basically ripping everyone off who pay for them..Yes if you use them, they will smell bad and have a dark coloring on them in the morning. It is merely a chemical reaction, NOTHING MORE. So please, listen to Dzoo, try antiperspirant and mentholated gold bond powder in the meantime, and see a podiatrist. But PLEASE don't waste your money on those. another idea is Dr. Schools have an absorbent insert with charcoal on the bottom also. Best of luck to you. We all had to go through high school too.
Alfon
26 April 2012
Thank you for your help.
Inactive
26 April 2012
So sorry to hear that our suggestions are not working at all!! BUMMER! I think that it is time to go and see a podiatrist. do you have health insurance? (or should I say your parents). Can they or you get to a podiatrist? A podiatrist is a special doctor, who specializes in only feet. They are the best type of doctors to see with this problem. They are qualified to do surgery on your feet also. Go see on that has hospital privileges. If you can't afford a podiatrist, there are other ways to see one, through several agencies. I so feel for you, I really do, and hope for the best for you. High school is difficult as it is, let alone with a medical problem. Hope that you can get some help of your problems.
DzooBaby
20 April 2012
You poor kid! That is embarrasing isnt it? Washing your feet every day is a good start. You may need to wash them twice a day. Do you wear socks with your shoes? It is best to wear absorbent cotton socks and use an odor absorbing powder on your feet, inside the socks AND shoes. There are several odor absorbing powders available at Walmart or the pharmacy by where they sell shoe inserts and athletes foot remedies. It also helps to buy good shoes with breathable materials like leather, rather than man made materials (and they are getting harder and harder to find) Never wear your shoes without socks because this allows dead cells to shed inside your shoes and cause them to stink. If you have tried all these remedies and they are not working, get yourself an appt with a podiatrist. A podiatrist is a foot and ankle specialist and they will be able to help you. they may have prescription strength deoderants.
There is also a possiblity, if nothing else works, to do some injections to help kill the sweat glands in your feet so they stop producing stinky sweat. Good Luck! I hope you find something that works! My nephew has the stinkiest feet I've ever smelled and he has had this problem all his life, so has his dad, who is my brother, but my nephews are worse!! He thinks it is funny though and seems to enjoy grossing people out with his stinky feet! I guess if you cant beat it, you have to find the humor in it! Hang in there Alfon! Go see a podiatrist!
Alfon
25 April 2012
Yea thank you very much for the advice. It's been 1 month and I tried to clean my feet, shoes put powder everyday bring socks to school. Nothing really change and the bottom of my feet is flaky and I bring shoes too but still the same I think I'm going to see a doctor again or a podiatrist. Well can a doctor help me too because he only tell me to use hypercare 1 week ago and barely nothing change and my feet still sweat. Or it's the best to just see a podiatrist? Thank you very much for your help.
Related topics
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.