Are you scared to let out your feet during long hours in the office because of the odor it might bring? You are not alone. Stinky feet do no good to the owner and the people around. While they allow you to move around freely and as long as you want, they come with the baggage of aches, pain, and smelly feet. Medically known as bromodosis, stinky feet are a common problem with individuals who spend a lot of time wearing shoes, mostly covered ones. Often, stinky feet result from sweaty shoes or feet, which leads to bacteria growth on the skin. These bacteria then break down to give off a foul smell. In some other cases, infections like athlete’s foot can cause feet odor. Nevertheless, there are stinky feet remedies that you can try out. They are simple DIY cost-effective treatments and remedies for bromodosis. But before we dive into that, let us take a look at some key facts on smelly feet.
Key Facts on Stinky Feet
- Stinky feet are mostly caused by excessive built-up moisture on the feet, leading to odor-producing bacteria.
- Sweat itself does not cause odor; bacteria do. If you can eliminate bacteria, the foul smell will cease to exist.
- The feet have close to 3000 sweat glands – double of other parts of the body.
- Smelly feet are not a chronic medical condition, but they can affect your relationship with people and reduce your self-perception.
- Generally, bacteria grow on your feet.
Aside from moisture on the feet, particular medical conditions can cause stinky feet. These include hyperhidrosis (genetic), hormonal changes in teenagers and pregnant women, and side effects from some medication. Besides, your feet are more likely to sweat when you wear tight shoes, stand for long in them, and under stress. The smell lingers when it soaks your footwear, and they do not dry before you wear them again.
How can we treat this feet maniac and protect our feet? Keep reading to find out.
Remedies for Stinky Feet
The stinky feet remedies and treatment are painless, natural, and inexpensive. They have little or no side effects. You can often treat bromodosis by merely cleaning your feet, drying them, and changing your shoes regularly. Below are proven remedies for stinky feet.
1. Keep your feet neat and clean.
Use a mild antiseptic soap to wash your feet at least twice a day – morning and evening during a shower. Dry your feet with a clean towel immediately.
2. Cut your nails
Another place that bacteria like to stay is under the nails. When your toes are excessively long, they provide a haven for germs and bacteria. To avoid this, clip your toenails short regularly and make sure you clean them.
3. Scrub your Feet
Due to age and individual lifestyles, dead skin grows on the feet and heels. Remove these hard and worn off skin with a foot file or scrub brush. Hard skin gets soft when it is wet, making it habitable for bacteria.
4. Change your Socks
Change your socks often, at least once a day. If you live in a hot environment, exercise regularly, or in a situation where your feet produce moisture quickly, change your socks twice a day to keep off odor. Besides, the next time you shop for socks, look out for thick, porous, and moisture-wicking. These types of socks can help lower the risk of smelly feet.
5. Get Enough Shoes
Sweaty feet often sometimes occur when the built-up perspiration soaks up the shoes, and you do not dry them before wearing them again. To avoid this situation, getting enough footwear to alternate each day helps reduce stinky feet smell. When you have more than one pair of shoes, it allows you to dry out any accumulated moisture in a particular pair of shoes for the day before using them again. And do not forget to dry the insole as well. You should also avoid plastic and vinyl shoes. Instead, look for breathable shoes such as canvas and leather.
6. Consider Open Toes Shoes
Even though getting open toes shoes may not be feasible due to different jobs’ nature, they are still worth considering. Look into acquiring some open toes shoes or sandals during hot weather to allow the free flow of air into your feet. Wearing tight shoes may aggravate stinky feet. Besides, you should try your best to walk barefooted to allow adequate air to your feet indoors.
7. Salt
Soaking your feet in salt is part of a thorough exfoliating. Due to its antibacterial properties, salt helps suck out water out of bacterial and kills them. To do this, get a bowl of warm water and dissolve half a cup of salt into it. Then put your feet in it for 15 – 20 minutes, and dry them very well. This routine instantly kills germs and bacteria on the feet and in between the toes.
8. Vinegar
Vinegar of any type contains 5 percent acetic acid, which kills bacteria and viruses by destroying their cell structures. To use vinegar for your feet, get a tub of warm water and add a part of vinegar – apple cider or white is suitable. Then soak your feet in it for 15 – 20 minutes. However, if you have an open wound, scratches, or sores, do not try this routine as vinegar irritates the open skin areas.
9. Antiperspirant
Although people use antiperspirants for underarms, you can use them for stinky feet as well. Feet antiperspirants help to reduce extreme sweating on the legs and give a pleasant smell. You can also spray sparingly on your shoes.
10. Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a maize powder used by people for cooking. However, this substance can also help reduce smelly feet. It involves sprinkling corn starch to your feet and shoes to suck in any moisture and foul smell. This method is suitable because cornstarch is highly absorbent.
Therefore, use the cornstarch regimen on your feet and shoes twice a day for a quick result. Cornstarch also prevents blisters on the legs when you put on tight shoes.
11. Sage
One of the best natural stinky feet remedies for keeping feet odor at bay is the use of sage. Sage offers a lot of antibiotics. People cultivate it for its aromatic leaves and treatment of digestive problems. For smelly feet, cut some leaves and spread them out in your shoes. The leaves will kill any bacteria lying around. Sage leaves, due to their tannic acid, can also reduce sweating when taken as a tea. It does this by constricting the sweat glands; thereby, regulating sweat production.
12. Baking Soda
Baking soda is good for absorbing any odor. For smelly feet, mix with essential oils such as lavender or tea tree oil and apply directly on the feet or sprinkle a little in your shoes. This method will help lessen the sweat and smell.
13. Peppermint and sugar scrub
Peppermint is a natural flavor used in food, beverages, soaps, and cosmetics. On the other hand, granulated sugar rebuffs dead skin cells. Combining these two (sugar and peppermint) makes an effective stinky feet remedy. To make this scrub:
- Mix one tablespoon of oatmeal, cornmeal, sugar, and two teaspoons of dried peppermint in a small bowl.
- Add one tablespoon of natural yogurt, lemon, and four drops of peppermint oil.
- Mix to form paste and massage on the feet.
14. Black Tea
The presence of tannic acids in the black tea helps get rid of odor-causing bacteria. Thus, to use it, soak your feet in black tea to dry them out so you do not sweat much. To make a tea soak:
- Boil two tea bags in two or three cups of water depending on the quantity you want for fifteen minutes.
- Remove the bags and add extra two cups of water.
- Allow mixture to cool before soaking your feet in it for 20 – 30 minutes.
- Repeat this routine twice a day for a quick result.
15. Antibiotic ointment
Another way to get rid of feet odor is to apply antibiotic ointment on your feet and nails overnight, wear socks over it, and voila! The bacteria are gone in the morning.
16. See Your Podiatrist
Sometimes, even after trying out all the stinky feet remedies, you may have nothing to show for it. Nevertheless, there is still one more solution – visitation to the doctor. Consider booking an appointment with your podiatrist as soon as possible if you see no result after weeks of trying. Who knows? The cause of the extreme sweat may be due to some underlying medical condition. In such a case, the doctor can use different treatments like botox and Iontophoresis. Your doctor may also recommend a particular antiperspirant and shoes.
Conclusion
Stinky feet are cancer that, if not treated, may spread to other parts of the body. While most cases of smelly feet are typical, some may be from underlying medical conditions. Regardless, it would be best if you took the necessary measures to solve it. You can do this by trying any of the stinky feet remedies above, as they are natural and cost-effective.