Causes and Prevention of Foot Odor and Bad Breath
[Asia Economy Reporter Jin-kyung Lee] Is there anyone who has never worried about the unpleasant odor coming from their body while living with others? Especially foot odor and bad breath can cause significant discomfort in social life. If you are concerned about foot odor that makes you hesitant to take off your shoes or worried about bad breath every time you have to talk closely with someone next to you, what should you do? No matter how thoroughly you brush your teeth or spray perfume on your shoes, if severe foot odor and bad breath trouble both you and those around you, let's take a detailed look at the causes and prevention methods to eliminate them.
● Why does foot odor occur?
The cause of foot odor is sweat from the feet. When feet sweat, the sweat cannot evaporate due to shoes and socks, causing moisture to accumulate. This makes the outer skin layer, the stratum corneum, swell, and bacteria decompose the keratin, producing a chemical called 'isovaleric acid,' which causes foot odor. Therefore, if you sweat a lot on your feet due to high activity levels or other reasons, foot odor can be particularly severe.
● Is severe foot odor related to health problems?
Health issues can also cause excessive sweating on the feet, leading to severe foot odor. If ligaments are weak, foot movement becomes sluggish, making sweating easier. Flat feet increase the contact area between the sole and the shoe, reducing ventilation and causing more sweat accumulation, which can worsen foot odor. Additionally, rapid weight gain can cause the feet to swell, reducing space between toes and decreasing ventilation, leading to more moisture and stronger odor. Nervous system disorders or thyroid abnormalities causing excessive sweating can also be factors.
● Can spraying perfume in shoes or putting coins inside prevent foot odor?
Some people spray perfume inside their shoes to mask odors, but mixing foot odor with perfume can create an even worse smell, so it is not recommended. Also, it is said that placing a ten-won coin made of brass inside shoes can help eliminate odor and kill bacteria due to copper ions, but this is only a temporary measure and not a fundamental solution.
● How can foot odor be prevented?
It is important to wash thoroughly between the toes with soap and dry completely, including under the toenails, to prevent excessive sweating. Avoid wearing socks that are not fully dried after washing, and for those who sweat a lot, it is important to carry several pairs of cotton socks and change them frequently. If excessive foot sweating is a problem, applying aluminum chloride preparations to physically block sweat glands is an option. If foot odor is severe due to conditions like bromodosis or keratolysis exfoliativa, visiting a hospital for antibiotic treatment to eliminate bacteria can help. Consuming foods with strong odors such as garlic, curry, and alcohol frequently can worsen foot odor, so it is best to avoid them. Crumpling newspaper and placing it inside shoes worn that day helps absorb sweat and remove residual foot odor. Using dehumidifiers in shoes that are not worn often is also beneficial.
● Why does bad breath occur?
The causes of bad breath range from physiological to physical factors. It can occur even without any disease, and the main culprit is the putrefaction caused by bacteria in the mouth and the resulting sulfur compounds. Additionally, lack of saliva, decayed food particles between teeth, and consumed foods can cause severe bad breath. Let's explore the various causes.
▶ When the mouth is dry
Saliva helps wash away food debris and bacteria in the mouth. When saliva is insufficient, foreign substances are not properly washed away and accumulate, causing odor. Moreover, stress and fatigue reduce saliva secretion, increasing anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath, making it easier for the mouth to smell bad.
▶ When there are oral diseases
Tartar and dental plaque combine with food debris and bacteria to cause odor, so heavy buildup of tartar and plaque can worsen bad breath. Periodontal disease and cavities often cause bad breath, so if there is no visible abnormality but bad breath is severe, it is necessary to suspect oral diseases.
▶ When systemic diseases are present
Chronic rhinitis, postnasal drip syndrome, and allergic diseases like sinusitis can cause mouth breathing instead of nasal breathing, worsening bad breath. Digestive diseases such as esophageal and gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease can also cause bad breath.
▶ When consumed food is the cause
Food we eat is digested through the digestive system, and the metabolites are absorbed into the bloodstream and exhaled through breath. Therefore, consuming pungent and strongly scented foods like onions and garlic can cause bad breath even after brushing teeth. Foods containing sulfur compounds such as meat, green onions, onions, and garlic cause bad breath, so caution is needed when consuming them excessively.
▶ When carbohydrate intake decreases due to dieting
When dieting by reducing carbohydrates and focusing on protein, fats are broken down instead of carbohydrates, producing chemical substances that cause odor. This chemical, called ketones, is exhaled through breath, causing bad breath.
● How can bad breath be prevented?
▶ Brush teeth thoroughly after meals
It is important to brush teeth thoroughly after meals, including the inside of the tongue. Using dental floss or interdental brushes to remove debris between teeth helps prevent cavities and other oral diseases.
▶ Avoid using alcohol-containing mouthwash
Mouthwash is used as a supplementary measure after brushing, but excessive use can dry out the mouth, so caution is needed. Alcohol-containing mouthwashes dry saliva, so continuous use is not recommended.
▶ Improve dietary habits that cause odor
Instead of meat or spicy foods that cause bad breath, it is better to consume fiber-rich vegetables and fruits. Rough vegetables and fruits stimulate saliva secretion and help prevent dental plaque.
▶ Avoid alcohol and drink green tea
It is important to drink water frequently to prevent dry mouth, and if plain water is difficult to drink, green tea is also good for eliminating bad breath. Avoid alcohol and smoking, which cause dry mouth.
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