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Anyone can get smelly feet but pregnant women, teens, the elderly, people with heart disease and diabetes, and people under a lot of stress are especially prone to the condition, which is essentially caused by perspiration.
The feet have about half a million sweat glands, and this can lead to a whole lot of sweat. When one wear socks and shoes, the sweat gets trapped inside. Bacteria and fungus can thrive in this type of warm, moist environment and can produce odour.
Stinky feet are embarrassing and getting rid of foot odour is not that simple as just using foot deodorant. Getting rid of stinky feet means tackling two different problems: Bacteria and Sweat. Everyone has bacteria on one’s skin. Here are some sure ways of getting rid of foot odour.
Hand sanitizer: Apply a scented or unscented hand sanitizer to eliminate germs to restrain bacteria growth.
Scrub your feet: The objective is to slough off dead skin cells from the feet, this way one will stop supply of food to the Brevibacteria. So wash your feet with an antibacterial soap, so while taking bath, take out time to exfoliate your feet completely with the help of a washcloth, pumice stone or brush. Also scrub between the toes.
Consider using antiperspirant: You may use similar kind of antiperspirant on your feet that you use for your underarms, however ensure to keep separate sticks for these two areas. Make sure not to apply just before going out, as it will make your shoes slipping or sliding on your feet apply it onto clean and dry feet. Antiperspirant blocks off your sweat ducts, so it keeps your feet dry and fresh during the day.
Dry your feet: The moisture, whether sweat or water, is responsible for breeding bacteria. So dry out your feet completely, including the space between the toes.
Talcum powder or Baking Soda: Rub your feet with talcum powder, as it works as an astringent so as to keep your feet dry. Baking soda is anti-bacteria, it helps in getting rid of stinky feet.
Vinegar and alcohol solution: Make a mixture of normal vinegar and isopropyl alcohol in equal proportions, keep it in a bottle. Use a medicine dropper to dribble this everyday over and between toes and irritated skin on the feet and disperse it. Whereas vinegar cures fungus, the alcohol restrains bacteria growth to curb feet odour. You can also immerse your feet in a solution of regular vinegar and water in equal proportions to get rid of smelly feet. To make it more effective add a spoon of baking soda to get rid of bad smell.
Lavender oil: It does not only smell good but also helps kill bacteria. It has antifungal properties that are effective in treating foot odour. Put a few drops of lavender essential oil in warm water, soak your feet in it for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat twice daily for a few days.
Black tea: Has tannic acid that helps kill the bacteria that produce foot odour. It also helps close pores on your feet, thereby reducing the amount of sweat on which the bacteria feed. Boil two black tea bags in three cups of hot water, add half a bucket of normal water to lower the temperature of the solution. Soak your feet in it for 15 to 20 minutes, do this daily for about a week.
Alum powder: Has astringent and antiseptic properties, it inhibits the growth of bacteria. Mix one teaspoon of alum powder in one cup of warm water, wash the feet with this solution. After 15 to 20 minutes, dry your feet thoroughly and then sprinkle some alum powder on them. Do this once daily.
Epsom salt: This can also minimize the smell coming from the feet as it fights microbial infection and neutralizes foot odour. A detoxifying foot bath with Epsom salt is also soothing for aching feet, mix two teaspoons of Epsom salt in half a bucket of warm water. Soak your feet in the solution for 10 to 15 minutes. For best results, do this before going to sleep so that you do not have to wear socks or shoes for a few hours.
