Ear discharge Metabolic diseases Maple syrup urine disease Infectious diseases Pseudomonas Foreign body Otic foreign body Ear discharge Metabolic disease odors Maple syrup, caramel, boiled Chinese herbal medicine Infectious disease odors Foul Foreign body odors Foul, putrid The odor of sweaty feet syndrome, or isovaleric acidemia, is caused by a defect in the catabolism of leucine The characteristic odor described as sweaty feet or socks or ripe cheese comes from the buildup of isovaleric acid Clinically, children experience vomiting, dehydration, acidosis, and slowly progressive mental deterioration Treatment includes restriction of leucine in the diet