Five reasons why you have smelly feet and how to fix it

At best it’s embarrassing, at worst it’s indicative of an underlying condition. Here are the main causes of stinky feet and what could help. If you’ve ever had a visceral reaction from the odour that rises up when taking off your shoes, you’re not alone.

About 15% of us have very smelly feet, a condition also known as bromodosis. “There are a few different reasons you could be experiencing smelly feet,” explains Emma McConnachie, a spokesperson for the Royal College of Podiatry and a podiatrist based in Stirling, Scotland. “Most cases are caused by a build-up of bacteria or fungal infections.

There’s a chance it may be your shoes that are the pongy part, so have a sniff to see where the source of the smell is coming from to help get to the cause”. If it’s definitely your feet and not your shoes producing the putrid scent, there are five likely causes. Here’s what you can do about each of them.

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