What’s That Smell?

You take your shoes off after a long day at work and your spouse moves to the other side of the room. Even the dog runs for cover! What causes your feet to smell so bad? And a better question, what can you do about it?

Extreme foot odor, also known as bromhidrosis, is usually caused by excessive perspiration or moisture, producing an environment perfect for the growth of bacteria and fungus. This bacteria and fungus create the room clearing foul odor when you take off your shoes. Worse, it can lead to fungal infections such as athlete’s foot.

Here are some practical tips:
Do your feet and shoes stink?
  • Dry your feet well after showering and putting on your shoes

  • Wear sandals in the warmer summer months

  • Change your shoes and socks frequently

  • Rotate your shoes, especially sneakers, wearing different ones each day

  • Invest in insoles that help keep odors at bay

  • Use a foot powder to keep feet moisture free

  • Brew some tea and soak your feet in it! (Tannic acid helps reduce foot odor)

  • Monitor what you eat – spicy foods may cause your feet to sweat more

Foot odor, while unpleasant, is nothing to be overly concerned about. However, if it lingers, even after you have tried the solutions above, ask yourself this: Why is my body unable to control this bacteria and fungus? Managing bacteria and other unwelcome guests is the function of your immune system, which receives direction from your nervous system. Which is naturally the focus of your chiropractic care.

Dr. Mark Asks some important questions of interest to Missoula residents - Chiropractor Missoula Dr. Mark Asks...

What are the two things drugs do?
Drugs can either speed up (laxatives, amphetamines, caffeine) a bodily process, or slow down (stomach antacids, sleep aids, antihistamines, muscle relaxers) a bodily process. Chiropractic care can produce the same results, but relies on the intelligence of the body. Chiropractors trust your body. Do you?
Is a muscle spasm a cause or an effect?
With the knee-jerk use of muscle relaxers, you'd think it was a cause. But it's an effect. Chiropractors know that bones don't move unless muscles move them. And muscles don't contract unless commanded by the nervous system. That's why your nervous system is the focus of our Missoula chiropractic practice.