7 Month Old Son Has Foot Odor

Updated on January 24, 2008
A.M. asks from Burlingame, CA
19 answers

My 7 month old son has foot odor when he wears his onesies or socks. I heard an old wives' tale that soaking feet in vinegar will help eliminate this. We've asked his pediatrician and she says it is fine to do this, as long as the vinegar is diluted a little bit before the soak. I was wondering if any other moms have had the same experience and what other remedies are out there before trying the vinegar soak.

2 moms found this helpful

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T.H.

answers from Stockton on

Baking powder. My son's foot odor, now seventeen, was kind of vinegary smelling. Vinegar is an acid baking soda is alkaline. It really seemed to help lightly dusting his tootsies with a little arm and hammer. I hope this helps.

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R.G.

answers from San Francisco on

Well, a teen recently soaked her feet in ice tea every day twice a day for a week. Ask pediatrician about that one. Maybe need a better soap - Dial white usually is a good one.

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A.M.

answers from Sacramento on

Something that works even better than the vinegar soak, and the smell will be easier on your little guy, is tea. Make up a pot (about 4 cups)of water, bring to a boil and place about 5 teabags in the water. turn off flame and let teabags sit until water is cool. After cooling add another 2 to 4 cups of water to the tea water, making temp of the water comfortable for your son. Soak about 5-10 min.
I am a grandma of 7 boys (ages 11 to 28) and a baby grand-daughter 8 months old. (: Also I am a great-grandy to a boy and two girls, so you see I have lots of experience. Good Luck with your little guy.

2 moms found this helpful
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B.N.

answers from Sacramento on

I haven't tried this, but Dr. Oz on the Oprah show gave a home remedy to soak your feet in black tea or tepid "ice tea". The tannins in the tea apparently knock out the sweaty stink. The feet will stain just a little, but who cares if the foot odor is gone. You're supposed to soak the feet once a week.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.C.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi A.,

Many babies get thrush, which is actually a yeast infection. It is the same yeast bacteria as causes athletes foot, jock itch and vaginal yeast infections. But you don't need to use any harsh medicines, especially for a baby!

My son had thrush when he was a baby and vinegar worked! The vinegar's pH level is incompatible with yeast growth so it can't grow. What we did was use a spray bottle of 1 cup water with 1 tablespoon white vinegar. We just sprayed him lightly every diaper change and let him air dry. Yes, he smelled like a salad, but he was clear of the itching within a few days! I was consistent and never had another problem.

My pediatrician also suggested after each bath to be sure his feet were completely dry before putting on his diaper (we used cloth). One mom I talked to back then put baby powder on her baby's feet at each diaper change.

Hope this helps!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.G.

answers from San Francisco on

my daughter had the stinkiest feet i had ever smelled. It really has to do with the socks and booties. I really didnt do much about it especially during the winter months but even in the summer when she wasnt wearing anything on her feet they still stunk. I tried to clean several times a day but i never tried to tea or vinagar because i just thought her feet were to sensitive for that if you can, just try and wait it out because she is now 14 moths old and the smell is gone.

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L.B.

answers from San Francisco on

My suggestion is that you purchase products that are 100% cotton and when he is ready for shoes buy leather shoes only.

Usually synthetic materials produces prespiration; therefore causes bad odors. I heard that soaking feet in warm tea helps, it was on the Oprah show.

Good luck.

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S.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Soaking in vinegar works. I had a friend who tried it and was very successful.

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G.C.

answers from Sacramento on

I had the same problem with my son. His feet were always wet and clamey. Tennis shoes were the worst. I started buying tennis shoes that allow the foot to get some air or breathe. I also made him take off his shoes whenever possible to allow the inside of the shoe to air and dry. I major discovery for the foot odor was "dark or colored socks". Also, when you buy socks, try to make sure they are 100% cotton or a least as closest to 100%. It made a hugh difference for us. Try to keep him in white socks and that will help to reduce the odor.

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J.S.

answers from Sacramento on

I saw a segment on Oprah where they recommended soaking your feet in tea to reduce odor. I can't remember what type of tea it was, but the woman who tried it said it worked great.

R.M.

answers from Sacramento on

i've heard that tea can also be used as a soak for the same purpose. My sister has tried this and it works.I'm not sure on the amount of tea bags that she used or how long she soaked the feet for but I think as long as the tea is a nice brown color and the temperature is comfortable for the baby it should be fine

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P.T.

answers from San Francisco on

On Oprah one day Dr. Oz said to soak the feet in tea. You could check her website for the specifics.

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C.C.

answers from San Francisco on

I thought it was just my little man who had stinky feet. That's just in their make up. I'm sure he will be just fine. If you do try the vinegar I would dilute it to 1 tbsp per cup of water. It is a fairly stong cleaning agent. Enjoy your little guy, it's such a great age.

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G.J.

answers from San Francisco on

the feet release toxins all the time --- normal and healthy

and when he does not wear onesies or socks??

sox could be the problem factor if left on too long
and check the fabrics/materials if not totally natural change to 100% cotton or wool blend or hemp ....
reflexologist

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P.G.

answers from San Francisco on

HI A.,

I worked in the field of podiatry for years and have never heard of a child that small having foot odor. Please take him to see a podiatrist/foot doctor to make sure there isn't something unusual going on. DPMs specialize in just the foot and ankle so if there is a condition of some sort, they would know about it AND they would know how to treat it effectively.

I'd love to hear back from you once you've done that so I can learn, too! :O)

Thanks,

P. G., RN
###-###-####
www.footnurse.com

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C.M.

answers from Salinas on

I saw Dr. Oz on Oprah telling a girl with this problem to soak her foot in tea. This seems a bit more pleasent than vinegar and I would go for trying that first! : )

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A.P.

answers from San Francisco on

Hello there, I heard that soaking the feet in lipton tea works on foot odor. I saw it on Oprah, maybe her site has more info... good luck. A.

G.M.

answers from Modesto on

I remember, about 25 years ago when my two boys were little, that when I removed their "feet pajamas" there was a bit of a sour smell on their feet. I'm sure this has everything to do with the plastic at the bottom of the pj's. Naturally their little feets are gonna sweat a tad against that plastic. I doubt that it's unusual to have that little bit of a sour smell upon removal of the jammies. You may try powdering your sons feet before putting his pajamas or socks on to help absorb any moisture.

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N.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I have bad foot odor as well. A simple way to take care of this is to soak his feet in tea water. The tannins in tea eliminate the odor and keep it from coming back for several months. It may be easier on his skin than the vinegar but as usual, I would consult the doctor first. I think just regular black tea or herbal teas should the same. Of course, the water can be warm but not hot! I hope this helps.

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