Unpleasant body odour, and smelly feet are some of the disgusting and gross aspects of pregnancy that may cause embarrassment to some pregnant women. However, know that foot odour or other bodily smells are perfectly normal, temporary and treatable issues. The medical terminology of bad body smell is "Bromhidrosis" which is also known as "Osmidrosis, bromhidrosis or body odour" while smelly feet are known as "bromodosis". These conditions can also be chronic conditions that the woman had before the pregnancy. The hormonal changes only aggravated the issue.
Causes of foot odour during pregnancy
One of the main reasons behind smelly foot is sweat. Perspiration is usually associated with odour but it should be clarified that it is not mere sweat but also the bacterial infections that cause the actual smell. Sweat simply creates a favourable environment for bacteria to breed and foster. Wearing closed-toed shoes, socks and other restrictive footwear makes the problem worse.
During pregnancy, the problem gets worse because of the swelling and excessive fluid retention around the foot. It cuts the air supply around the foot, leading to smellier feet. The bacteria in the feet are naturally not with the foul smell if they are dry. Dampness, excessive fluids and sweat can cause a serious case of foul feet.
The best way to deal with the problem is to wear loose, comfortable and open shoes and sandals that allow your feet to breathe. Baby powder and other effective cures can also help keep the feet dry.
Is hyperhidrosis the cause of the bad smell during pregnancy?
Hyperhidrosis is a pathological condition that causes a lot of perspiration. This is caused by excessive secretion by the eccrine sweat glands. This condition can happen anywhere in the body like the palms, face, underarms, feet and even the whole body. patients with this condition often complain of sweaty feet that cause a foul odour. The increased moisture on the skin can lead to issues like dermatitis, blistering, and dermatophyte, bacterial and viral infections.
How to remove/prevent foot smell during pregnancy
Foot odour comes from bacterial infections and fungal growth. Here are some ways in which you can deal with foot odour
