QUESTION: Dr. Langley, my feet are extremely smelly and sweaty. My friends are always looking and commenting on whose feet is stinking. I have this complex that they are looking at me!!!! When I go to family affairs, I always have to walk around so the smell does not linger. I always try to stay around the cheese and fruit display because the guests and family cannot figure out whether it is a foot smell versus the sharp provolone that is on the display. What do I do?
Foot odor can be very embarrassing for some people. Some people described the smell as a cheese-like odor or an odor reminiscent of corn chips. This maybe humorous but for some it is life-changing because they cannot take off their shoes at family or friends homes. Additionally, these people complain that their feet are always peeling and sweaty.
This condition is called Bromohidrosis and this is known as smelly feet or severe foot odor. This condition is caused by sweat that is produced by the feet in excessive amount and this is known as Hyperhidrosis. The smell that is produced is from bacteria that live on the feet and the moist environment that is caused by the sweat creates an environment for bacteria to flourish. The bacterial by-products cause a chemical compound to produce the malodorous smell.
