When Foot Odor Needs a Podiatrist

by | Feb 15, 2017 | General Foot Care

Smelly feet are embarrassing, but they’re nothing to bother a doctor about—right? After all, with a little shoe and foot treatment at home, you can control the stink and minimize the odor, so complaining about it just wastes a doctor’s time. Plenty of people think this way. They’re embarrassed to talk about their foot odor, feeling like they should be able to handle it without help. There may come a time, however, when your smelly feet do need a podiatrist’s intervention.

Smelly feet can be more than just an embarrassing inconvenience for many people. It can prevent you from feeling comfortable around others, particularly in situations where you need to remove your shoes. It can also be a sign that you have an issue with your lower limbs that needs to be addressed—which is how a podiatrist can help.

Normally foot odor is related to sweat mixing with the bacteria on your feet. When your feet sweat, you develop an unpleasant odor that can linger on your skin and get trapped in your shoes and socks. Sometimes excessive sweat can be a sign of a medical problem, or related to the medication you’re taking. Hormone changes can be a culprit as well. The odor can also come from a fungal infection, which will get worse and possibly spread unless it’s treated.

Both excess sweat and fungal infections are things your podiatrist can help you with. So when does foot odor go from an embarrassing inconvenience to something you discuss with your foot doctor? That will depend on you. However, as a general rule, if you’ve been struggling with smelly feet for a while and home care has not helped, you should discuss it with a podiatrist. If your foot odor is accompanied by itching and skin changes, you should definitely see a specialist. If you’re not sure if your foot odor needs help but you’re sick of living with it anyway, make an appointment. It’s time.

Smelly feet are treatable. You don’t have to be embarrassed to get help. Let our experts with Family Foot & Ankle Care of Jasper eliminate the smell so you can live comfortably with your own feet again. Contact our Jasper, IN, office at (812) 481-7200 or through our website to request more information or a consultation today.

Address 695 W. 2nd Street, Suite CJasper, Indiana 47546
Phone 812-481-7200
Hours Mon, Tue, Thu: 9am - 5pm; Wed, Fri: 8am-noon 

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