When patients think of foot problems that would urge them to see a podiatrist, they may often think of painful symptoms. Problems such as corns, bunions, and arthritis often urge people to see a podiatrist when they persist over time. However, patients who experience persistent foot odor should know this may indicate a more severe problem. Pain isn’t the only thing you should see a podiatrist over, and here at the Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic, we are here to help all of our patients with treating foot odor and other common conditions in Seattle.

Foot Odor Causes

Several things can cause foot odor. For some patients, hereditary sweating is the cause of the problem. For others, it can be a low-grade infection that requires treatment. Odor typically will not just go away without some sort of treatment. At the Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic, we usually prescribe a medicated ointment to our podiatry patients, which often does the trick.

Help With Foot Odor Prevention

Preventative measures can also help when it comes to getting rid of foot odor. Patients are advised to soak their feet in a container full of strong, black tea for up to 30 minutes daily. This tea can help unclog the pores of the feet while killing bacteria, which removes the odor. Simply using two tea bags per pint of water usually will help. After the tea has steeped, add two quarts of cold water before soaking the feet.

Another solution that gets rid of harmful bacteria is a foot-soaking mixture of two parts water and one part vinegar, but tea may be more pleasant to your senses.

To learn more about treating foot odor in Seattle or to get a professional opinion about the causes of foot odor and other foot problems, please get in touch with us at Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic at (425) 482-6663 to speak to a member of our professional staff. We are accepting new patients!