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No one enjoys foot odor as it can be embarrassing. If you suffer from foot odor, there are several ways in which you can identify and eliminate the smell. Resulting from excessive perspiration from the sweat glands in your feet, foot odor can be prevented. Daily hygiene is essential in the prevention and elimination process of foot odor. Change your shoes daily to let each pair air out and change your socks frequently may help as well. Foot odor is not a serious disorder; it just means you may have overactive sweat glands. What is causing my Foot Odor? The odor in your feet is produced by bacteria and/or fungus that grows in the shoes and attaches to the skin. Some of the bacteria can actually eat away the top layer of the skin, producing a foul odor. Some synthetic materials that are used in shoes can produce smelly feet when mixed with sweat and bacteria. Additionally, foot odor can be caused systemically. Anemia, which is low blood count, or hyperthyroidism can also cause excessive foot odor. Most cases are merely associated with the foot and no other areas of your body. Feet have more sweat glands than any other part of the body, so they can sweat profusely which may not always be able to evaporate due to being enclosed in your shoes. Avoid Foot Odor with Preventative Measures Hygiene is very important to help prevent smelly feet. Feet should be washed daily with soap and water and clean, dry socks should be worn as well. Thick, soft socks can help in absorbing the moisture as well as natural fiber socks such as wool or cotton. It is best not to wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row because they need time to dry out. Removal of the innersoles can help with drying the shoes out. Additional prevention includes:
* Keep your feet clean
* Keep your feet dry
* Try using antiperspirant or deodorant
* Wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe well
* Watch what you eat
If the preventative measures do not help with your foot odor, further tests may be needed by your podiatrist to find a proper solution to eliminating the odor. Find Relief from Your Odor with Help from Your Podiatrist Your podiatrist can help in alleviating your foot odor through medications that can be applied to the feet every night. There are also electric-current devices that pass a small electrical current through the skin that can effectively diminish perspiration, but it may only last for a couple weeks. This is not a permanent solution to your foot odor ailments. With proper consultation with your local podiatrist in Warwick, a treatment plan can be created to help eliminate your food odor and further prevent it. If your foot odor won't go away and is severely bothering you or has led to other foot complications, visit your podiatrist for treatment. The earlier a foot problem is diagnosed, the better chance of treatment will be.
Foot & Ankle Institute of New England is a leading Fall River and Warwick podiatrist. Providing quality foot care for infants, children and adults from three convenient locations, this Fall River, Warwick and Middletown podiatrist offers an array of foot and ankle treatments, including flat foot care, and heel pain in Fall River, MA.
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