When the feet smell bad, many people think that the shoes are the only one responsible for the stench, especially if they are tight and do not allow the skin to breathe. True or false? We discuss it with Professor Antonio Costanzo, dermatologist at Humanitas.

“False. Even if wearing shoes for a long period of time without letting the skin breathe can cause the bad smell emanating from the feet, it is not necessarily the only person responsible. In fact – explains the expert – the bad smell of the feet can be caused by a pathology, known as “athlete’s foot”. It is an infection of both fungal and bacterial origin, which manifests itself with reddening and cracking of the skin between the toes, as well as with bad smell. The infection can result in inflammation of deep tissues, including adipose tissue, and can also be transmitted to other parts of the body if the person, after touching the infected part of the feet, touches other particularly sensitive areas (armpits and groin). The infection can be treated with creams or antifungal sprays, which should be applied twice a day for about 4-5 weeks. If the infection persists, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist who, if necessary, will prescribe the use of oral drugs, but to prevent it is useful to always dry the feet after physical activity and use antifungal powders to be applied in shoes and socks.