Need Treatment for Stinky Feet

Updated on August 07, 2008
K.C. asks from Henrico, VA
28 answers

My 18 month old daughter has VERY stinky feet! I've tried baby powder in her shoes, but to no avail. Any advice on remedies?

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So What Happened?

Thanks so much for all the great advice! I'm going to try them all to see what works best, but will definitely stick to barefoot feet while in the house.

Thanks again, ladies!

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G.L.

answers from Richmond on

Avon sells a great product called Foot Works Therapeutic Antifungal and Deodorant Powder. I have used it and it works like nothing else I have ever tried.

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A.B.

answers from Washington DC on

You have gotten some great advice! I saw a segment on Oprah with Dr. Oz and he suggested the tea bags. You can read other tips online at http://www.oprah.com/community/message/75933.

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T.L.

answers from Washington DC on

Try drying between her toes after baths. Had the same problem with my month old (about 12 months ago). Dried between her toes and the smell went away immediately.

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B.H.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi,
My dad would always put rubbing alcohol on my feet every night before bedtime and make sure they were dry before letting me down. This and then there is a special kind of foot powder that they make for "stinky feet" that they would put in my shoes. I had the same problem evidently! But I do remember the rubbing alcohol on my feet, top and bottom and then he would fan them dry. Hope this helps :)

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K.W.

answers from Richmond on

I have a kid with the same problem so I was reading through the responses. FYI, one person recommended the Melaluca products. I have used these for years and like them BUT my pediatrician flipped out when I suggested using them on my child. Turns out that tea tree oil can be a toxin for small children and it is absorbed through the skin. Many of the sales people are unaware of this so I wanted to make sure you knew JIC. peace

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M.A.

answers from Washington DC on

sounds weird, but soak her feet in tea. make sure you steep it for a while and the water is luke warm. Soak her feet a few times a week. It works!

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J.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I would check with her pediatrician just to make sure that she does not have some sort of foot fungus, though I know that is not a fun thought. Otherwise, I have heard great things about Gold Bond powder. It works for my mom, who unfortunately has some of the most odorous feet I have ever encountered, despite a lack of fungus.

Good luck!

Oh, and one more thought. Could a pair of your daughter's shoes be leaving a stink on her feet? Maybe it is not so much her feet as it is their interaction with a shoe material of some sort.

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L.S.

answers from Washington DC on

My kids both had this too...they did seem to outgrow it...don't know why it happens physiologically. It became a fun playtime activity...My son would giggle when I pretended to smell them and screech STINKY FEET...make it positive :) I do have several Arbonne products that help...I wasn't with Arbonne when my kids were that age...however...my husband has stinky feet and my kids occassionally get it from their sneakers now...

1. Stinky feet are generally caused by toxins...Arbonne's Detox SeaSource Spa line has a Rescue Wash that is for Hair and body....it gets rid of chlorine after swimming in hair AND my husband is now in love with it because it does so well with his foot odor problem...my kids (5 and 6) are alsways stealing it out of our shower because they love the smell.

2. Herbal Foot cream...also helps with stinky feet.

Feel free to get in touch with me with any questions...I will also be interested to read any other responses...I am pregnant again and I'm sure I will have the same challenge myself.

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A.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Is she wearing heavy socks and shoes all day and footed sleepers at night? Maybe her feet just need some air. Try letting her go bare foot in the house and get sandals for out doors. Do her feet sweat a lot? Perhaps you could wipe her feet off several times a day with baby wipes. Other than this - I say consult your doctor.

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M.S.

answers from Norfolk on

Soak or spray her feet with Listerine Mouth Wash, works wonders!!!

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M.D.

answers from Richmond on

try cornstarch.. it absorbs order and sweat while being safe on baby's feet. It is an all natural way to safe feet...hope this helps ...M.

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S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

i thought the stinky feet syndrome was a product of puberty! my stars, how my older boy's feet pong.
so far we haven't come up with a lasting remedy, but soaking the stinky peds in white vinegar with baking soda (and what fun the suds are!), then a good rinse, will do the trick for a while. baking soda for the shoes, wash them frequently if possible, and encourage bare feet.
good luck!
:) khairete
S.

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S.M.

answers from Norfolk on

My son has sweaty, stinky feet and I use baby gold bond powder and I aslo wipe his feet down 2 times a day with 50/50 vinegar and water. It helps deoderize him. Also keeping her feet dry is very important, try letting her run bare foot or with well ventilated sandals. With winter coming up soon, change her socks about half way through the day and let her wear comfy shoes that aren't too tight so the air can get in them and circulate.

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T.B.

answers from Norfolk on

Soak Cotton rounds in regular alcohol...then swipe her feet with them! Works great for body odor as well...but this will do her feet wonders! My Stepfather keeps 5 -6 cotton rounds soaking in rubbing alcohol and used them daily under his arms...it worked wonders and was recommended for feet as well!

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C.W.

answers from Washington DC on

Dear K.-

Mercifully, none of my children has inherited 'stinky feet syndrome', but my dad (rest his soul) had it BIG time!! One of my earliest memories is that I could always tell when dad was home as he would take off his shoes when in the house! (LOL).

At some point, they came up with 'odor eaters', a charcoal insert of some kind for shoes. Not sure if they still make them, but if they do, I am sure ya can trim them down to fit your daughter's shoes.

I do have 4 'adolescing' young men in the house. I DO keep an open box of baking soda in each of their rooms, and in laundry baskets (changing the baking soda frequently!)I also keep a bin, in garage, for 'athletic' shoes as those seem to have a stronger aroma...also with baking soda...

Hope you find something that works!

Take Care
Michele/cat

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R.G.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi. Some people have this problem and if you soak her feet in tea it gets rid of it. I don't know if it gets rid of it forever but I know it does work. You can also put antipersperant on the bottom of her feet.

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K.W.

answers from Washington DC on

Baking soda works like a charm.
K.

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J.Z.

answers from Washington DC on

All 5 of my children suffer from having stinky feet. Honestly the best thing I have done to remove the smell out of her shoes is rub some Shaklee Basic H2 inside the shoes and let them air dry. It's guaranteed to work and if it doesn't you get your money back 100%

J. Z.
Independent Shaklee Distributor
www.shaklee.net/Z.

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K.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Have her only wear shoes outside. In the house, go barefoot. Use thin socks. You can put baking soda in the shoes if they are really smelly.

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E.T.

answers from Washington DC on

Great tips listed so far. Definitely recommend the going barefoot/without shoes in the house as much as possible. Also, air her shoes out... and rotate them... I know my son only has 2 pairs of shoes since he grows so quickly - one set of sneakers and one set of crocs... but maybe in your daughter's case, get her 2 sets of closed toe sneakers/shoes. I have also experienced stinky feet and was told that it also has a lot to do with your shoes drying out COMPLETELY before wearing them again. If you wear the same shoes every day, the stink is much worse because the inside of the shoes never really gets a chance to dry. Best of luck to you.

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V.S.

answers from Washington DC on

It could be caused by using man made shoes. Try letting her wear leather shoes only (or leather uppers) and letting her run around the house barefoot. They let your feet breathe whereas made made materials don't. If that doesn't work, it could be something in her diet. Talk to you doctor about it or a nutritionist.

Good luck!

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N.B.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi, K. - Melaleuca's Sol-U-Mel gets rid of any odor. It is GREAT in shoes! Using Melaleuca bath & laundry products may eliminate the cause & problem all together. They are antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic - naturally!!! Hope this helps. N. B.

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L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

I used to have the same problem with cheap shoes or ones made with plastic soles. We finally had to just make sure the soles of her shoes were better. We still buy most of her shoes at Target but just have to be aware of what the soles of them are made of. Also, if you put a couple of tablespoons of baking soda in her shoes overnight it will help with the smell a bit. At one point we were flying to see my husbands family. I suddenly smelled something awful and started checking to see if my baby's diaper had leaked or if she had been sick. Of course it was just that my 3 year old had taken her shoes off. How embarrassing.

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E.K.

answers from Washington DC on

I use the Melaleuca products for feet, it works well. I am aware of the toxic nature of tea Tree oil, however, you need to use so much to get to the toxic level that it rarely happens to anyone. Using baby powder will add yeast to the mix, that may be contributing to the stinky feet. I also read one response regarding the soles of the shoes, be sure to get breathable shoes for the entire family and when enforce the sock/stocking rule with sneakers and dress shoes. Cotton will work best

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B.H.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi there,
Stinky feet tend to come from a fungus. Try putting Lotrimin on her feet for a couple of weeks, I bet the smell will disappear!

Good luck!

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A.K.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi,
Make a little dish or bucket of water and sprinkle some baking soda in it, make her sit for a minute or two and soak her feet in it, then rinse her shoes as well in it .... my girls will get stinky feet from their rubber soled shoes, and that's my cure.....
Hope it works for you too!
A.

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L.M.

answers from Washington DC on

K.,
I have a few thoughts.
First, I'd look at her diet. My belief is that what manifests on the outside, starts on the inside. Lots of processed foods, sugar etc can be a source of this issue. There are natural remedies out there, it depends on what else is going on.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or want more details.
L.

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P.K.

answers from Norfolk on

It's caused by a bactieria.
Wash her shoes, dry them outside and wash her feet with apple cider vineagar.
And again as I have said a million times on here, have her eat yogurt. The best is Stoneyfield wit the better sugar!!!

God Bless

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