Foot Odor

Prevention and Treatment of Foot Odor

Good foot hygiene is essential to prevent or treat foot odor. The following steps are particularly important:

Try not to wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row so that shoes can dry out between wearings. Removing the insoles can help shoes dry faster.
Wear clean socks and change them every day; more frequently if you sweat profusely (IPFH suggests padded socks for their moisture-wicking properties).
Bathe your feet daily in lukewarm water with a mild anti-bacterial soap. Dry thoroughly, especially between the toes.
Soaking your feet in vinegar and water or using foot powder or antiperspirants can help reduce odors; if you use foot powder frequently, wipe between the toes to remove excess moisture and eliminate “caking” of powder. Some other home remedies have been shown to be effective. Click here to learn more about which of these have clinical research to support their efficacy.

To ensure that feet are optimally protected, IPFH suggests wearing properly selected and fitted, as part of an integrated approach, padded socks with shoes with non-slip outsoles and any inserts or orthotics prescribed or recommended by a doctor or foot health professional. Peer-reviewed, published studies have shown that wearing clinically-tested padded socks made of acrylic/acrylic blends can help wick moisture away from the feet.