What Are the Causes of Foul-Smelling Feet?

Update Date: 2024-05-24 Source: Network

Some people sweat very little on their feet, but they still emit a very unpleasant odor. This is known as bromhidrosis. Our feet are naturally prone to sweating. If we do not maintain proper hygiene, poor hygiene inside the shoes, or the accumulation of dead skin cells and bacteria on the surface of the skin can lead to foot odor. Additionally, the interior of shoes is often damp and lacks ventilation, providing an ideal environment for bacterial growth, which can contribute to unpleasant foot odor. Below, we will explore the causes of foot odor:

1. Damp Environment: The soles of our feet are a naturally sweaty environment.

There are over 600 sweat glands per square centimeter on the soles of the feet, which is 2-4 times more than other parts of the body. Altogether, there are approximately 250,000 sweat glands that can secrete nearly 500 milliliters of sweat per day. Sweat contains water, salt, lactic acid, and urea. When the water content is high, it provides a favorable environment for the proliferation of bacteria and fungi.

2. Hot and Enclosed Spaces: When shoes are tightly fitted and lack ventilation,

it can lead to increased moisture levels and changes in the pH value of the skin surface. The pH value can rise from the normal range of around pH 4.4 to approximately pH 7, and carbon dioxide gas can be released. Such an environment is ideal for the growth of certain bacteria on the feet.

3. Bacterial Growth: The combination of factors 1 and 2,

promotes the growth of bacteria on the skin of the feet. These bacteria can break down the keratin protein of the skin and the urea and lactic acid components in sweat, forming various odor-producing metabolites.

4. Fungal Growth: Hot and damp environments can promote the growth of fungi,

leading to fungal infections known as athlete's foot or Hong Kong foot. The symptoms of athlete's foot can vary, and not all cases result in unpleasant odor. However, the type of athlete's foot that is most likely to cause foot odor is the wet and erosive type, which occurs between the toes and can be particularly severe.

5. Thick, Old Skin: Thick, old skin cells,

when saturated with sweat, can become a source of nutrients for bacteria and fungi, promoting their growth and reproduction, and worsening foot odor.