Stinky feet: what to do? Causes, tips and solutions

Smelly feet — often referred to medically as bromhidrosis — occur when bacteria and fungi on your skin come into contact with sweat and skin flakes. Fresh sweat itself has hardly any smell; the pungent odour is caused by micro-organisms breaking down sweat, releasing volatile substances in the process.

Heat, moisture and closed shoes (often synthetic) intensify this effect: your feet and shoes become a greenhouse in which odour builds up more quickly.

A standard foot deodorant mainly masks the odour: the fragrance covers the smell, but sweat production and bacteria in the shoe remain.

For a more sustainable approach, you need an antiperspirant on the skin — such as PediSpray® — which helps to calm overactive sweat glands. Combine this with PediFris® Classic in your footwear to tackle odour-causing bacteria and fungi at the source.

Certain strains of bacteria in damp, poorly ventilated shoes break down sweat into substances that smell like ammonia — often described as a “cat urine smell”. That odour permeates the lining and fibres.

PediFris® Classic targets bacteria in footwear and helps to reduce this stubborn odour, particularly when combined with drier feet (less sweat = less food for bacteria).

Choose socks made from breathable materials: cotton, bamboo or (merino) wool. Avoid synthetics that trap sweat, such as polyester, as the main material.

Rotate your shoes: do not wear the same pair two days in a row and allow shoes to dry for at least 24 hours. This keeps the inside less damp and less conducive to odour-causing bacteria.

The odour itself is not something you “pass on” like a virus. However , fungi — for example, in the context of athlete’s foot — can be contagious via wet floors, changing rooms or shared shoes.

Good hygiene, dry feet and clean shoes reduce that risk.

For most people, smelly feet can be effectively treated at home with the right products and habits. See your GP if you have pain, open wounds, signs of a serious infection, or if you have diabetes and are concerned about your feet.

If symptoms are persistent or severe, your doctor may also discuss other options (for example, in cases of severe hyperhidrosis).