Foot odor facts for kids

Foot odor is a common type of body odor that affects people's feet. Some people find this smell unpleasant.

What Causes Smelly Feet?

The main reason feet smell is because of sweat. Our feet have many sweat glands. Sweat itself doesn't have a strong smell. However, tiny living things called bacteria love to grow in warm, sweaty places. These bacteria are normally on our skin and don't cause harm. But when they grow a lot, they break down sweat and dead skin cells. This process creates the chemicals that cause the odor.

The front part of your foot, especially the toes and balls of your feet, sweats the most.

Wearing closed shoes or boots can make your feet sweat more. Materials like leather or rubber can trap sweat inside. This makes the smell stronger. Some types of socks can also make the smell worse.

What Does Foot Odor Smell Like?

Foot odor is often described as smelling thick or like cheese. This is because some of the bacteria that cause foot odor are also used to make cheese! For example, a type of bacteria called Brevibacteria helps create both. They produce a chemical called 3-Methylbutanoic acid, which is a big part of the smell. This chemical is even used in some perfumes.

Because of acids in foot sweat, the smell can also be sour, like vinegar.

Many things can change how your feet smell. These include the type of socks and shoes you wear. How long you wear them also matters. Your own body can also affect it. For example, if you do a lot of sports or other physical activities, your feet might sweat more. Boys and men generally sweat more than girls and women. Because of this, they often have smellier feet.

How to Prevent Smelly Feet

The best way to stop foot odor is to keep your feet clean. Washing your feet regularly helps remove dead skin cells. It also washes away sebum, which is a natural body oil. This means there's less food for the bacteria to grow on. By cleaning your feet well and often, you can prevent them from having a strong smell. You can use a foot file or a pumice stone to gently remove dead skin.

See also

In Spanish: Podobromhidrosis para niños