Have you ever wondered, what causes this unbearable foot smell? Foot odor is caused by bacteria. The occurrence of foot odor is similar to the process causing breath odor. There are normal bacteria on your feet, which usually have no smell. When these bacteria interact with the moisture in socks or shoes, there occurs foot odor, because these bacteria lose access to oxygen and, thus, emit stinky sulfurous byproducts. Women, men, even babies Full story