Why do my feet smell when i wear sandals?

Picture this: it’s the middle of summer, and you’re out enjoying a day at the beach with your friends. You slip off your sneakers and change into a pair of sandals, only to find that within minutes, you can smell something…funky. And unfortunately, it’s coming from your feet.

Why is this happening?

If you’ve ever experienced stinky sandal syndrome, don’t worry – you’re not alone. In fact, keep reading to learn why our feet tend to get smelly in sandals (and what you can do about it).

Heading 1 – What Causes Foot Odor?

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s talk about where foot odor comes from in the first place.

Our feet have plenty of sweat glands (around 250k each!), which means they produce quite a bit of moisture throughout the day. But sweat on its own doesn’t actually cause body odor; rather, it’s when bacteria on our skin break down that moisture that things start smelling sour.

This breakdown produces organic acids like isovaleric acid and propionic acid, which give foot odor its distinctive scent. The more sweat there are combinations with these bacteria present on our skin surface as well as around nails or between toes leads to increased bacterial activity leading ultimately to unpleasant smells regardless if one wears shoes or goes barefootedly

But while any closed shoe can contribute to sweating (and therefore bad odors), there’s something unique about wearing sandals that may make matters worse.

Heading 2 – Why Do Sandals Make Things Worse?

Sandals go hand-in-hand with warm weather because they allow air flow into your footwear unlike closed-toe shoes thereby promoting cooling sensations all over ones’ foot regions especially soles [1]. However great this may feel for one’s comfort levels in the summer, it also means there’s no barrier between your sweaty feet and the outside air. This increased airflow can contribute to a more noticeable odor.

In addition, our feet are often exposed to more dirt and dust during sandal-wearing seasons simply because we’re not wearing socks or stockings (as much as some people wish they could get away with that). These environmental factors combined with sweat can lead to a recipe for stinky disaster.

Heading 3 – Is It Just Me?

If you’re wondering whether you in particular have extra-smelly feet, don’t worry: it’s actually quite common. In fact, an estimated one-third of all people will experience foot odor at some point [2].

However, certain habits or medical issues may make matters worse (or just make someone predisposed towards having odorous footwear). Here are a few examples:

  • Certain medications: Some antipsychotic medications called phenothiazines might impact sweat-gland production thereby increasing odors [3]

  • Hyperhidrosis: A condition where someone has excessive sweating anywhere on their body specifically even when ones armpits perspire unusually leading individuals smelling fishy like sardines

  • Poor hygiene: If one doesn’t wash his/her socks/feet regularly this increases amount of bacteria and thus enhance microbial decomposition-related smells.

Heading 4 – Can You Prevent Smelly Feet While Wearing Sandals?

Thankfully there are various things you can do if you want to prevent smelly sandals:

Wear The Right Type Of Sandals

Not all sandals are created equal! Instead of buying only fashion-centric open-toe shoes consider purchasing brands made from porous materials such as cork which allow foot breathing while minimizing sweating around the toes since less moisture gets trapped within them than other thick rubber-based soles designs

Try Over-The-Counter Products

Antiperspirant/Deodorant is not just reserved for underarms in either an aerosol or powder/formula as there are antiperspirants/deodorants formulated specifically to be used on the feet. One can choose of his/her favorite scent, alongside type whether roll-on, stick and even spray [4]

Wear Clean Socks

If you decide to wear socks with your sandals (which definitely isn’t everyone’s cup of tea), be sure they’re clean every time you put them on – this means washing them frequently – ideally daily –

Try Soaking Your Feet

One easy DIY option: soaking once-per-week treatments that reduces odors produced which requires combining 5-6 tbsp baking soda mixed into a container filled with warm warm water mixing thoroughly [5]

Heading 5 – Removing Smells From Sandals

Even if one takes all possible precautions, sandal odor may still occur. Here are some fixes:

Basic Cleaning

This method involves using mild detergent mixed in cold water bath and soaking the footwear for not less than twenty minutes before rinsing it off thoroughly.

Using Vinegar Solution

This method entails blending half-cup vinegar plus another half-cup of water taking enough solution mixture then draw over the dirty areas below straps other openings like buckles around styling surfaces after thorough drying up spat dryness by towel or air-drying hanging before next usage otherwise mold might encroach

Exploiting Baking Soda

Sprinkling tea-spoon full amount under each exterior side part-interior holes avoiding wet spots after s/he finished wearing footgear; through careful spreading techniques sprinkled area must get left overnight additionally when waking up shakes away any surface residue perceived\t A pre-wash vinegar wash also helps loosen dirt.

Conclusion

Footwear [6] is arguably an essential item among humanity, however failing to regularly practice sole hygiene results into distressing smells emanating from our soles. Especially during those sunny or warm spells people embrace sandals which introduces airflow that opens one’s feet, thus ensuring moisture is released properly making it petrie dish for our unwanted foot invader microbial organisms responsible for certain odors.

Whether wearing shoes everyday life or only on special occasions be sure to consider these tips while picking the right shoe type, use an antiperspirant, wash socks frequently and disinfect shoe regions thereby preventing release of unpalatable aromas from your enviable footwear collections.

Remember: smelly sandals are not something you have to just “deal with”. By following some simple steps when buying/wearing/cleaning/disinfecting there,you can reduce odor levels (or get rid of them altogether), leaving you free to confidently flaunt your favorite summer kicks all season long.

[1]: Poffer JJ. “Sandals through Time.” Transitions 2013 March:26-29.
[2]: Mayo Clinic Staff,”Foot Odour”https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/foot-odor/basics/causes/sym-20050784
[3]: American Podiatric Medical Association” Reduce Foot Odor.”https://www.apma.org/Patients/FootHealth.cfm?ItemNumber=1618
[4]:Spa Twin Magazine staff writer”Stop Stinky Feet Syndrome”(2020 May issue)
[5] : Debra Jaliman MD,”How To Stop Smelly Feet in their Tracks”,Women’s Health Magazine(online publication),July 31st 2017
[6] Mercer TG.”Quality Active Footwear:A Guide For Manufacturers And Retailers”.\Emerald Group Publishing Limited.;trd.edition.(2000):29.

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