Questions Your Doctor May Ask - and Why!
During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in his assesment of the symptom: Foot odor.
These may include a physical examination or other medical tests.
Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing
your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information
you can share with your doctor may help them with their diagnosis.
Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:
- How long have you had foot odor?
Why: to determine if acute or chronic.
- What shoes and socks do you usually wear?
Why: e.g. one of the main causes of sweaty, smelly feet is wearing the wrong socks or footwear. Shoes with plastic or other synthetic fabric linings do not allow even normal amounts of sweat to evaporate and do not absorb it either, so the foot stays wet. Synthetic socks have the same effect, especially if they are tight. The best socks are 60-70% wool with a close weave and not too tight and it is advised to wear a clean pair every day. The best shoes are all-leather shoes without a lining or ones that are lined with leather.
- Do you have hard skin on the soles of your feet?
Why: hard skin is dead skin and it becomes soggy when damp, providing an ideal environment for bacteria. It is best advised to remove the hard skin with a pumice stone.
- Risk factors for a fungal foot infection?
Why: e.g. hot, humid weather, occlusive footwear, excessive sweating, walking barefoot on contaminated floors.
Questions your doctor may ask about related symptoms:
Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse
your condition. These may include:
- Symptoms of fungal foot infection (tinea pedis)?
Why: e.g. skin between the toes will look red and soggy. Often itchy feet. May also be a secondary bacterial infection associated.
- Symptoms of bacterial foot infection?
Why: e.g. red, weepy areas that may be warm, swollen and painful. May have a pus-like discharge.
» Next page: Symptom combinations for Foot odor
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