Babies and children start wearing shoes from a very young age. Many times, even without needing to, before they can even walk, just to complete the look their mom put together. Because of this, some discomforts can occur, like bad odors on their little feet. So don’t be alarmed—babies and children with smelly feet are normal, okay? You don’t need to panic or think it’s some kind of disease. Sweaty feet are very common and with a few simple steps can be easily resolved or managed.

Why Does Smelly Feet Occur?

Smelly feet in babies and children happens due to the sweat glands1 in the body. When these are in contact with very warm socks and shoes, they make the feet hot and damp, increasing the chances of fungus and bacteria growth. These microorganisms cause the bad smell, commonly known as smelly feet. The famous foot odor can appear at any age, even in very small babies. It tends to get even worse when wearing the same socks repeatedly without washing or the same shoes over and over. For this reason, it’s ideal that the socks worn by babies and children are used only once before washing. As for shoes, it’s recommended to have more than one pair to alternate between, and of course, always keep them clean and sanitized. This care is important not only to keep foot odor away from the little ones’ feet, but also to prevent issues such as athlete’s foot or other fungal problems that affect the health of little feet2.

How to Care for Little Feet

Little feet are often forgotten about when it comes to hygiene. But they deserve care and attention, like any other part of the body. Take care and wash their feet well, scrubbing between the toes, always using plenty of water and soap. Cleaning should be thorough during the bath and always scrub or wash with a bath sponge, from the toes to the sole of the foot. After the bath, dry carefully between the toes. This will help prevent, in addition to foot odor, dreaded fungal infections3, also known as athlete’s foot. In addition to using water and soap and changing socks and shoes, keeping little feet dry and clean is essential. Moisture is the main cause of foot odor. When drying feet after a bath, carefully dry between the toes, every gap and nail, always with a dry towel. This is the time to teach your child how to do it properly, so when they start doing it themselves, they’ll know the right way. Another thing parents should keep an eye on is that, in childhood, children often swap shoes with friends. This practice can cause foot odor because not everyone has the same care with their shoes and their hygiene.

Socks and Shoes for Babies and Children

There are countless colorful socks, with themes, embroidery, characters, all of which catch moms’ attention when they see them. Shoes that look like grown-up shoes—colorful, different, and modern. But what about the materials they’re made from? Do you pay attention to that? Socks made from synthetic material increase the chances of foot odor in babies and children. That’s because this material doesn’t let the skin of the feet breathe as it should, increasing moisture and causing bad odor. So, it’s recommended to always use cotton socks, which allow the feet to “breathe” and absorb sweat. This also applies to shoes. Avoid shoes made of rubber or materials that prevent the feet from breathing. If feet get too hot and sweat too much, even with proper and clean socks, there will still be a bad smell. Wearing shoes without socks can also increase the chance of foot odor.

How to Care for Shoes?

Always after use, place shoes in a well-ventilated area to dry. Occasionally, put them out in the sun and keep them away from moisture. Avoid wearing the same pair every day and, if possible, wash them regularly. Tip: washing shoes with white vinegar helps control odor and eliminates foot smell.

How to Get Rid of Foot Odor?

We’ve already given a series of tips to avoid foot odor. But what if your baby or child already has it? How do you get rid of it? Actually, the care will be pretty much the same, and only with this approach will the smell go away for good.

  • Pay special attention to washing feet during bath time. Scrub them with water and soap and dry them carefully afterward;
  • Change socks daily;
  • Avoid wearing the same shoes one after the other;
  • If a shoe already smells bad, the ideal is to sanitize it and let it dry in the sun;
  • Use foot powders or specific products to control odor.

Foot odor is not just a big nuisance for the family who have to put up with the smell; it can also be quite embarrassing for children. Especially because they tend to take off their shoes in any setting, mainly in playgrounds that require kids to go barefoot. It’s normal for foot odor to occur in babies and children, but it should be cared for so you can get rid of it. See Also: Allergies in Newborns Photo: Vitamin