How to Stop Smelly Feet – Prevent Foot and Shoe Odor

Do you have a child who suffers from sweaty and smelly feet? Sweaty feet is an issue that spans all age groups, but if your child’s feet are sweating excessively then there are certain steps that you can take to reduce the sweat and the smell. Children’s feet sweat a lot. Did you know that a child’s foot sweats about 2-3 times more than an adult’s foot? I am going to show you how to stop smelly feet based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.

I decided to create an article describing how to stop smelly feet because a lot of parents have asked me this exact same question at the children’s shoe store that I work for.

Moisture on your kids’ feet can create several problems, such as blisters, the growth of odor-causing bacteria, and fungus, such as athlete’s foot. I will show you what steps to take if your child is suffering from sweaty and smelly feet, and the most effective way to get rid of it.

What Causes Children’s Feet to Perspire More Than Others?

It is normal for the feet of some children and adults to perspire more than others. The issues come when excessive foot perspiration is in place since it can create foot and shoe discomfort. Wearing footwear with no breathability, tight-fitting shoes, and wearing the wrong type of socks are three main causes of this excessive foot perspiration.

Parents should avoid buying low-quality shoes made out of plastic, rubber or polyurethane. Investing in a good quality pair of shoes with breathable materials such as leather, cloth, canvas or newer mesh materials is highly recommended.

Children with sweaty feet wear out their shoes faster than expected, since the constant sweat will wear on the soft leather lining on the inside of the shoe. To significantly reduce or fully eliminate your kids’ smelly feet, we need to find shoes that are breathable and machine washable.

I am a firm believer that the type of shoes and socks that you choose for your children have a direct impact on how much your kids’ feet sweat and how bad they smell. It is important to choose shoes with breathable materials for your kids’ feet to breathe properly. Wearing the correct type of socks and shoes is the best way to significantly reduce or fully eliminate foot odor.

All of the shoes that I describe below are breathable, machine washable, and some of the models come with insoles that are infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals). Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases.

What Are the Best Shoes for Kids with Sweaty Feet?

Take a look at the description below each shoe to find out if it can accommodate your child’s foot shape (medium, wide).

Check your kids’ feet and socks regularly to make sure that they don’t feel damp. You should always switch your children’s shoes and socks if they get wet as soon as possible. Avoid providing your child with synthetic socks since they don’t absorb or repel any moisture, and they don’t allow the foot to breathe properly.

What Socks Work Best for Children with Sweaty Feet?

Socks act as a barrier against irritation and infection, and they play a key role in keeping your kids’ feet healthy. If your child is dealing with sweaty and smelly feet —check if the socks feel damp after your kids come home from school— start by taking a look at the fabric content of the sock. Breathable socks can make a world of difference.

Make sure the socks are made out of high-quality materials, such as wool and merino. These fabrics wick away the moisture and allow the feet to breathe. The fibers that absorb and repel the most moisture are wool and merino.

Is Your Child Already Wearing Breathable Shoes and Socks?

Now, some children might be wearing the correct pair of breathable shoes with the correct type of socks. If this is the case with your child, then I will show you a product that has proven to reduce, and in some cases completely eliminate foot odor and smelly feet.

There is a Natural Shoe Deodorizer that we sell at the store that has worked wonders for parents and children that have smelly feet. The deodorant fights foot odor and deodorizes shoes by eliminating bad odor caused by sweat and bacteria. It works in all types of sports shoes and sneakers.

The Best Product to Stop Smelly Feet

The product is made of essential oils of mint, eucalyptus, tea tree and thyme. We have carried many different products that fight foot and shoe odors and none of them have come even close to the success of this product. This foot spray is the best solution for your kids’ sweaty, smelly feet.

The Problem with Excessive Sweating – Let’s Keep Your Kids’ Feet Healthy!

Did you know that excessive sweating can create serious problems for your kids’ feet? When kids’ feet sweat excessively it can lead to secondary infections and several skin problems to their feet.

Some of these complications include:

  • The constant moisture in their feet makes them more vulnerable to developing foot issues since the skin might become wrinkled and cracked, which can cause the feet to become tender and painful.
  • The feet become itchy which is often caused by athlete’s foot.
  • Blisters might start appearing since sore skin leads to blisters.
  • Fungal infections.
  • Social and emotional effects such as stress. Sweaty, smelly feet can easily cause embarrassing situations for your child.

Here are some guidelines on how to prevent sweaty feet:

  • Provide your child with high-quality socks that absorb moisture such as wool and merino socks.
  • Provide your child with quality footwear with breathable materials such as leather, cloth, canvas or newer mesh materials.
  • Provide your child with machine-washable shoes and antibacterial insoles.
  • Provide your child with the right shoe size and avoid tight-fitting shoes.
  • Wash and dry your kids’ feet everyday.
  • Change your kids’ socks as soon as they start feeling wet.

Children’s feet are always on the move and bacteria thrive because of it. That’s why proper foot odor control starts with helping your children wash their feet thoroughly. Make an effort to keep your little one’s feet as dry and clean as possible. Switch your kids’ socks twice a day if they are damp. Buy properly fitted shoes with breathable materials to provide proper air circulation to avoid bacteria to grow.

Is your child suffering from sweaty, smelly feet? Have you found a particular shoe style or product to get rid of the problem? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so other parents can benefit from them.