Stinky feet is the name given to the bad smell coming from the feet, which is caused by bacteria that develop there. Foot odor does not cause serious health consequences, however, it causes great embarrassment in those who have it.
Simple measures can be taken to avoid the problem, such as always changing shoes, washing and drying your feet well, avoiding closed shoes and synthetic material and always changing socks. The dermatologist should be sought whenever the bad smell causes embarrassment and preventive measures are not enough to overcome the problem.
Read too: Chemical composition of foot odor and how to treat it
What is foot odor?
Bromhidrosis is the name given to the condition in which sweating is accompanied by an unpleasant odor. This odor can arise, for example, in the armpits, groin and feet, the latter being known as foot odor or plantar bromhidrosis.
Bromhidrosis is usually the result of decomposition of keratin It's from suor by bacteria that release chemical compounds responsible for the unpleasant odor
. In the feet, these bacteria find the proper place for their development, especially when we leave them in shoes that favor the production of sweat.
It is important to remember that sweat has practically no smell, being basically formed by Water and some salts. Also, eliminating sweat is natural and extremely important. The function of sweat is to ensure the reduction of temperature from our body, preventing excessive heating of the body. It is released mainly on hot days or when we do physical exercise, situations in which the body temperature increases.
Is foot odor a serious health problem?
the foot odor it's not a serious health problem, however, it harms the quality of life of an individual, since the unpleasant odor can cause embarrassing situations. In some people, foot odor can be noticed even from a considerable distance, which can trigger, for example, nasty jokes and nasty comments. Fortunately, foot odor is easily treated, and a few simple changes can prevent the problem from occurring.
Read too: 10 tips to stop foot odor
How to prevent foot odor
As we have seen throughout the text, foot odor is caused by bacteria present in our feet, which feed on the sweat and keratin present in our feet. skin. To avoid the problem, we can take some simple measures, such as:
Avoid wearing shoes made of plastic material, as they impede breathing in the area.
Avoid wearing the same shoe for several days in a row.
Never repeat socks, even if they appear clean, as they can accumulate dead skin as well as the bacteria that cause the bad smell.
When shoes are not being used, leave them in a ventilated place.
Wash your shoes and insoles well, as this will eliminate the rest of the skin and bacteria that may be present there.
Avoid constant smothering of the feet, preferring open shoes instead of closed ones.
Always wash your feet well and dry them well. Hygiene is essential to avoid the problem.
Use deodorant, antiseptic sprays or foot powder. There are a number of products available on the market for feet and shoes that help prevent foot odor.
It is important to point out that, if foot odor is causing serious discomfort or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as skin peeling, it is essential to seek medical attention. The doctor who evaluates this issue is the dermatologist. In some cases, this professional will indicate medications, such as antibiotics topics, to solve the problem.
By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher