Written by Dr.Natthakhet Yaemim (Dr.Deyn) Founding Director.
Written on 23 October 2019 Last update: 31 August 2024

Foot fetish (Podophilia) - What is foot fetish?!

A foot fetish is a sexual interest in feet. In other words, feet, toes, and ankles turn you on. This particular preference for feet can vary from person to person. Some people are turned on just by looking at their feet. Others may find painted nails, jewelry, or other adornments appealing. Still others get sexual satisfaction from foot treatments, such as massaging or worshiping feet. Feet are considered the most fetishized body part, besides genital body parts. 

Toe kissing and sucking, watching videos of feet, taking photos of a partner’s feet, rubbing someone’s sweaty feet after a workout, genital stimulation with feet, or describing foot odor to one’s partner are some ways a foot fetish can play out

There are subtypes of foot fetish, some people love to worship adorned feet, whether with jewels, tattoos, nail polish, feet in heels, socks, stockings, or bare feet.

How common is foot fetish?

It's more common than you'd think. One study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine arrived at one. In the study, researchers asked the roughly one thousand participants to rate their fetish interests from a score of 1 to 5 (5 being the highest). About 10% said they had a foot fetish, and the same percentage admitted to having a shoe fetish. Overall, more men than women said they sexualized feet or shoes.

Is foot fetish normal?

YES, it is normal. A foot fetish is another variation of healthy human sexuality.

Why Do People Have Foot Fetishes?

Some experts believe that fetishes develop because something happened when you were a kid or teenager that linked the fetish object with sexual arousal in your mind. 

Other experts believe the origins of foot fetishes may lie in your brain. Researchers can use brain maps to show the areas of your brain that turn on when you experience sensations, like when you touch, see, or smell something. Brain maps show that the parts of your brain that control the sensations in your feet and genitals are right next to each other. So in some people, when you feel, see, or smell feet, the area in your brain that controls your genitals may turn on too.

Other reasons include:

• Living in sex-positive communities may make sexual exploration more acceptable, potentially resulting in fetishes that make sex more fun or pleasurable.
• Certain cultures may emphasize particular objects or body parts, creating a fetish.
• People may tie sexual arousal to objects that remind them of their childhood.

Researchers suggest several theories to explain why people have fetishes. However, it is unlikely that only one hypothesis can explain why they exist. It is probable that many reasons, such as behavioral, social, and cultural factors, work together to play a part.

Psychoanalytic theories

Researchers who psychoanalyze human behavior, such as Freud, have several ideas about how fetishes happen. The overarching theory is that an event occurs during a person’s childhood, causing them to develop the fetish.

Within this area of psychoanalysis, a second theory is that people may fixate on a certain object during childhood, which causes them to sexually fixate upon it by seeing it as a ‘good’ object.

Another idea is that people may regress, becoming aroused by objects or body parts that remind them of their childhood.

Behavioral factors

There is also a theory that conditioning and learning are responsible for the formation of fetishes. This means that people can learn to be aroused by certain objects or body parts through a reward system, such as physical closeness, ejaculation, or even money.

Sexual instinct

Another theory is that hormones and emotions drive people to imprint their arousal onto certain objects. These hormones and emotions allow them to respond to certain stimuli sexually.

Socialization

The way a community socializes may also contribute to the formation of fetishes in people. Certain communities may place more importance on specific body parts and sexual practices, which may lead to the fetishization of objects and body parts.

Cultural factors

Another theory suggests that communities are either sex-positive or sex-negative. Sex-positive communities view sex as a fun activity, whereas the latter only see sex as a way to procreate.

This theory suggests that sex-positive communities may contain more individuals with fetishes. People are more likely to engage in sexual activities for purposes other than procreation, such as pleasure, fun, or even experimentation.

Why do people like it?

Sexual kinks vary jus like hairstyle and music styles. Some theories try to explain why people like it

.

Biologically speaking

Feet are covered with nerve endings, and nerve endings equal greater, often more intense, sensations. Tickling, rubbing, massaging, licking, and touching may all feel immensely better on feet. The toes and feet are particularly sensitive, thanks to a ton of nerve endings down there (think: ticklish feet). That makes it an epic addition to foreplay. And let's not forget about the brain, which can connect feelings of sexuality to any body part if it's been tied to a sexual memory, So if your first sexual encounter involved feet or toe sucking during foreplay or sex, then you very well might be turned on by this little deed going forward.

Submission and humiliation aspect

One psychological element of a foot fetish is humiliation. Feet are often considered “below” people. That is, some people think of feet as a lowly body part. That sets up a dynamic some people find appealing: They like to feel “lower” than their partner. They enjoy having your feet on their body as a form of power play or being put in their place.

Domination aspect

Submission and domination is a power plays for some couples. Feet are just one part of that structure. If your partner has a foot fetish, they may want you to treat them like a human footrest. They find satisfaction in letting you have domination over them so they can worship at your feet. If you have a foot fetish, you may find it thrilling to kneel at your partner's feet, adore them, and diminish yourself for them. You may encourage them to put their feet all over your body, forcing you into a position of submission.

How to talk about foot fetish with your partner?

If your partner recently brought up their interest in feet, you may have questions about what’s involved and how you should respond.

• If you want to bring it up to them: They may not share the same interest in feet as you do, but they may have other curiosities they’d like to explore. Being honest about your fetish can put into motion a virtuous cycle that lets you both find fun new activities you enjoy
• Listen and ask questions: If your partner is honest with you, this is a positive sign.
  They may tell you they just think your feet are attractive or like a particular shoe you wear. They may reveal their interest in feet by offering to massage yours after a long day. They may ask to kiss your feet during sex.
• Decide how you feel: Ask them to give you time to think about what they’ve said. If feet are just a no-go zone for you, that’s important to know, for both you and your partner

What to try with people with a foot fetish?

 Most people have a sexual curiosity or interest that extends beyond vanilla sex. Fetishes and kinks are nothing to be ashamed of or hide. Indeed, they’re a fun way for partners or consenting individuals to explore and have fun. These activities are popular among people who like feet:

• Pedicures
• Foot selfies
• Giving or receiving a Foot massage: Massage or tickling may lead to intense sensations that even people with no other interest in foot play find exciting
• Light tickling on the feet
• Foot kissing: Feet and toes are sensitive to touch, so even gentle kissing can feel sensual.
• Sucking on toes Toe sucking: if your partner is up for some shrimping or sucking toes, add a bit of that to your routine. It’s all fun, so don’t be afraid to mix things up.
• Giving or receiving a foot job (stimulating the genitals using the feet)
  Foot job: Some people with a foot fetish have a little genital contact now and then. ask them to grind their feet over your genital area. They can even glide their feet over your penis or penetrate your vagina or anus with toes.
• Foot worship: People with a foot fetish may enjoy worshipping at their partner’s feet. Some even like letting their partner rest their feet on them as if they were a human footrest. Remember, there’s no shame in finding feet and foot-worshipping sexy.
• Washing each other's feet
• Sending foot pictures to your partner
• Putting your foot inside the vagina or anus

Safety Advice and Special Considerations

A foot fetish is generally safe. If you and your partner are exploring a foot fetish through touch, it’s a good idea to make sure toenails are trimmed and your feet are free of any open sores or wounds, especially before you or your partner put toes or feet into your mouth, vagina, or anus.

Some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be spread through skin-to-skin contact. Usually, this is through genital skin-to-skin contact, but if you are touching your hands and feet to their genitals and then touching your genitals, you could spread STDs this way. You may only have to have contact with an infected area of another person to become sick yourself. STDs that are spread through skin-to-skin contact include genital herpes, syphilis, and human papillomavirus (HPV).

To protect yourself from STDs, the CDC recommends that you:

• Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B and HPV.
• Get tested regularly.
• Get to know someone before you have sex so you can talk honestly about STDs (and other sexual issues) before you have sex with them.
• Use a condom every time you have sex and use it correctly.
• Don't mix alcohol or recreational drugs and sex — you're more likely to make risky decisions if you are drunk or high.

If you or your partner has a skin infection, such as athlete's foot or impetigo, don't have sex that involves touching infected skin to the genitals. Make sure you get treated before you get down to business again.

Foot fetish and risks to consider?

People who have foot fetish don't have to worry about getting pregnant but those who like this form of erotic play should consider;

1. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Some STIs are passed through genital contact, but others can be shared by rubbing skin on skin. Genital and oral herpes, syphilis, and the human papillomavirus (HPV) can be spread through contact with the skin. Make sure you and your partner get tested!

2. Skin infections

Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection that causes lesions or raised bumps. It can be shared through skin-to-skin contact. Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection. Fungal infections like athlete’s foot can also be shared through contact with infected skin or even shoes a person with the infection wore.

3. Cuts

Sharp toenails can cut delicate skin around the penis, vagina, or anus. Keep toenails trimmed and clean — and ask your partner to do the same — if you anticipate getting your feet involved in the action...

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