By Jarod Spencer, DPM, Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates
Have you ever found that gym bag from last week in the corner of the closet, full of dirty clothes and stinky shoes? Maybe you got caught in the rain and your shoes now have a foul odor. Perhaps you have a teenager who finds very smelly cleats or athletic shoes under piles of clothes when (if) they clean their room (ok…when you clean their room)?
Another busy summer is gone, but autumn is one of the best seasons to stay active — it’s not too hot and the severe cold is still several months away (we hope). With the changing season comes a change in our activities, which requires a change in our wardrobe as well, including what we wear on our feet. Sadly, sandals and flip flops give way to socks, boots, and shoes which are bound to encounter more than a little odor at some point.
There can be many causes of odor in your shoes, and, surprisingly, only one of them is your feet! The real source of the odor is actually fungus, bacteria, and/or mold! Eww! As it turns out, everyone has bacteria all over their bodies, and fungus lives everywhere in the environment. There are many, many different kinds of fungus and bacteria, some of them providing a very useful function in the world. Unfortunately, some other types can cause infections, itchy feet, discolored toe nails or, in the case of today’s discussion, even smelly shoes.
In colder weather, it’s necessary to protect our feet with shoes and socks. This closed environment causes feet to sweat, which leads to sweaty socks and sweaty, damp shoes. And if you go sockless, feet sweat even more, making the problem worse. The number one reason that bacteria and fungus like to live in our shoes is that they thrive in the dark, damp environment that our shoes provide.
So, now you have stinky shoes, and maybe someone besides you has even noticed. You say to yourself, “Something must be done, but what?” That very question has led to an entire shelf section in the pharmacy devoted to this problem, from deodorizing sprays to powders to disinfectants to inserts for your shoes. Unfortunately, only some of these options might actually work. Many of these products are full of chemicals that do nothing except mask the smell. In fact, some products even include a warning that says, “do not use on skin or clothes,” so now what?
Fortunately, you now know what’s causing the odor. No matter what is making the inside of your shoe damp — whether a sweaty foot, a dirty wet sock, or walking in a rain puddle — the only way to get rid of the shoe odor is a two-fronted attack: to kill the currently residing fungus and bacteria, and to take away that dark, damp environment that invited the odor in the first place.
The very best way to achieve this is to always make sure your shoes and socks are dry, and to remove them if they become wet. Socks should be changed as often as needed to make sure they are always dry. If your shoes become wet, you should air dry or fan dry them thoroughly before wearing them again.
There are many products available that may claim to be doing this, but you should look for one that is an all-natural product with anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties, rather than one that only “deodorizes” or one with harsh chemicals (read the small print on the labels!). Some all-natural options may include silver or copper, which are naturally anti-microbial. These can come in the form of sprays, but also in products such as socks to help maintain an anti-microbial environment. Another anti-microbial treatment for shoes is an ultraviolet light device that goes into your shoes when not wearing them. The ultraviolet light has shown to kill odor-causing fungus and bacteria.
Often times, it may also be necessary to treat a fungus or bacteria infection on the skin or nails of your foot in order to rid your shoes of the odor. Conversely, if you are having difficulty treating fungal toenails or a skin infection, such as athlete’s foot, it is extremely important to also treat your shoes in order to prevent reoccurrence or spread of the infection.
When it comes to smelly shoes, there is no time like the present to seek out a solution! If you find this to be a persistent problem, or if you have any concerns regarding your feet or ankles, it may be time to schedule an appointment with your podiatrist. With a comprehensive approach, smelly shoes can become a thing of the past!
Dr. Jarod Spencer and Dr. Carly Kriedberg have joined Dr. Lockwood and the team at Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates. If you have any foot problems, please contact them at 309-661-9975, or visit them online at www.HeartlandFootandAnkle.com.
Photo credit: TonyRecena/Adobe Stock