What should you know about sweaty and smelly feet?

Sweat itself has little odour. Smell develops when moisture remains against the skin and normal microbes break down sweat and surface material. Closed shoes, synthetic socks, exercise and infrequent footwear drying can intensify it. Persistent wetness may soften the skin and cause rubbing. Itching, peeling between the toes, scaling on the soles or small cracks can occur with Athlete's Foot, a fungal skin infection. Excessive Sweating can also keep the feet damp even after you have cooled down. The appearance and timing of symptoms matter when choosing treatment.

Wash feet regularly and dry carefully between the toes. Change socks when damp, choose breathable materials, rotate shoes and let them dry fully before wearing them again. Avoid sharing towels or footwear if there is peeling or suspected infection. A clinician may suggest a Prescription Antiperspirant to reduce sweat reaching the skin. Iontophoresis may be considered when sweating of the soles continues despite daily measures. If there is scaling or itch, have the skin checked so a possible fungal infection is treated with the right product rather than relying on deodorant alone.

Seek an assessment if odour persists after careful washing and footwear changes, or if the feet itch, peel, crack, bleed or become painful. Prompt care is needed for spreading redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, fever or rapidly worsening pain. People with diabetes, reduced sensation or poor circulation should arrange care early for any break in the skin. Sudden, unexplained heavy sweating elsewhere in the body also deserves medical review.

Ask whether the skin looks more like fungal infection, irritation or excessive sweating; which areas need treatment; how long to use a product; and how to prevent recurrence in shoes and socks. Mention new medicines, skin conditions and any wounds that heal slowly.