Imagine yourself in a meeting room discussing some important issues and suddenly you smell something unpleasant. Worst of all, you realize that it is coming from your feet. At that time, all you want to do would be to run away from there.Isn’t it? Having slightly smelly feet, at the end of the day are common because of wearing shoes and it usually recedes in some time. However, for some people, it is a problem as the stink stays on and they cannot even recall removing their shoes in front of anyone.
Also known as bromhidrosis, foot odor can be an awkward problem and can affect your daily life. This smell occurs because of the build-up of sweat and bacteria on the feet, which can be uncomfortable, to say the least. Thankfully, there are a few ways to get rid of it right at home.
To reduce the growth of bacteria and to treat the problem, the sweaty warm conditions around the foot should be killed. You can eliminate the bacteria and have odor-less feet. Here are some causes and home remedies to get rid of smelly feet.
What causes smelly feet?
Bromodosis, or smelly feet, is a very well-known medical condition. It’s due to a buildup of sweat, which produces bacteria growth on the skin. These bacteria cause bad odors. Fungal infections like athlete’s foot can also lead to bromodosis. Smelly feet are primarily caused by a lack of ventilation for your feet.
Each foot has more than 250,000 sweat glands, generating more than a pint of sweat in one day. That’s a lot of moisture to keep pressed against your feet! People get stinking feet when the perspiration has nowhere to evaporate – but it is not the sweat that causes the foot odor.
Your feet produce a lot of sweat. They have more sweat glands than any other part of the body. These glands release sweat throughout the day to help cool your body and keep your skin moist.
Everyone’s feet sweat, but teenagers and pregnant women are most prone to very sweaty feet because their bodies generate hormones that make them sweat more. People who are on their feet all day at work, are under a lot of stress or have a medical condition that makes them sweat more than others tend to have sweatier feet.
How to get rid of smelly feet?
Keep your feet clean
Use a mild soap and scrub brush to clean your feet at least once a day. The most suitable time to do this is during your day or night shower. It’s necessary to dry your feet completely after washing. Be sure to get within your toes and dry your feet well before putting on your socks and shoes. If your shoes are washable, toss them into the washer.
Keep your feet dry
The bacteria that construct their home on your feet and in your shoes increase in moist places. So if you keep your feet dry, bacteria won’t feel welcome there. The unpleasant odor comes from moisture, so it’s essential to keep feet, shoes, and socks as dry as possible.
You also can aid keep your feet dry by choosing socks made of cotton, and shoes made of natural materials such as cotton or leather. These natural elements allow the moisture on your feet to disappear. Man-made substances such as nylon or plastic trap moisture.
Disinfect your shoes
Spray a common household disinfectant in your shoes and on the insoles and later let them dry. It might also help to let them dry in the sun. You can also look for a kitchen spray that contains ethanol and additional sanitizing ingredients, which kill the bacteria.
A general-purpose disinfectant spray like the sort you use in your kitchen can take care of that nasty smell emanating from your kicks.
Some Natural Remedies To Reduce Foot Odor
Black Tea
The antioxidant property of black tea always helps to keep your skin fresh.The acid in the tea kills the bacteria and closes the pores, keeping your feet dry longer. It also reduces the risk of cancer.
Black tea lessens your perspiration, hence it reduces the smell. The tannic acid in strong black tea kills odor-causing bacteria and closes pores to help your feet sweat less.
You will need:
- Black tea
- Water
- A container
- A bowl
Process
- Take a bowl, pour some water, and boil two tablespoons of tea or three tea bags.
- Take a container and add warm water.
- Pour the boiled black tea into the water and mix it.
- Soak your feet for 15-25 minutes.
- Take your feet out and pat it dry.
How often should you repeat?
You can repeat this process daily to get rid of the odor.
Vinegar
Vinegar can also sanitize the feet. These aids eliminate or reduce foot odor by getting rid of the bacteria that make them smell. Before soaking, wash your feet thoroughly with soap and water. Vinegar improves skin function and is also a very good cleanser. Its antibacterial properties help to reduce the odor from the feet.
However, you should not use a vinegar soak if they have any injuries, sores, or scratches, as the vinegar has the potential to hurt open areas of skin.
You will need:
- Vinegar
- Water
- A container
Process
- Take a container and pour two parts of warm water and one part of vinegar. Combine them well.
- Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes.
- Take your feet out and pat it dry.
How often should you repeat?
You can repeat this process twice a week.
Corn starch
Cornstarch can be utilized sas a setting powder by people with oily or shiny skin. It absorbs the excessive oil from your skin and keeps your makeup as-is for long. Cornstarch can actually help significantly with smelly shoe odors.
It absorbs sweat, which keeps your feet feeling fresh. If you have an abundance of foot sweat, an over-the-counter foot antiperspirant may do the trick. You can also sprinkle some cornstarch before putting your socks.
You will need:
- cornstarch
- Water
- A container
- A bowl
Process
- Take a bowl, pour some water, and corn starch then mix it well.
- Take a container and add warm water.
- Pour the mixed cornstarch into the warm water and mix it.
- Soak your feet for 10-20 minutes.
- Take your feet out and pat it dry.
How often should you repeat?
You can repeat this process thrice a week to get rid of the odor.
Rice Water
One of the best ways to remove foot odor permanently is by soaking your feet in rice water. Rice water not only reduces rice water but also it reduces acne. It absorbs your sweat and keeps your feet dry. Eventually, reduces your odor. Rice water also kills the odor-causing bacteria from your feet.
You will need:
- Rice
- Water
- A container
- A bowl
Process
- Take a bowl and soak rice in the water, overnight.
- Take a container and add warm water.
- Pour the soaked rice water into the warm water and mix it.
- Soak your feet for 10-25 minutes.
- Take your feet out and pat it dry.
How often should you repeat?
You can repeat this process twice a week to get rid of the odor.
Baking Soda
It is safe to be used on the face as well after it is diluted with water. Baking soda helps dry out the pimple and its anti-bacterial property helps prevent further breakouts on your skin. Baking soda is a popular at-home treatment for the removal of dead skin from the feet.
But some dermatologists warn that baking soda can be irritating, cause redness, and dry out the skin further. Baking soda removes odors without adding other fragrances that linger and mingle with your shoes. Baking soda also acts as a fungicide and has mild antibacterial properties.
You will need:
- baking soda
- Water
- A bowl
Process
- Take a bowl and pour 2 tablespoons of baking in it
- Add two tablespoons of water in it.
- Mix the baking soda and water.
- Rub the mixture on your feet, and keep it for 15 minutes.
- Wash it off with water and pat your feet dry.
How often should you repeat?
You can repeat this process once a week to get rid of the odor.
Anyone can get moist feet, at any temperature or time of year. Moreover, that will be the main reason for the smell from your feet. Some main reasons of sweaty feet, if you’re on your feet all day, also wear shoes that are too tight.
Further, if you are below a lot of stress, or have a medical condition called hyperhidrosis, which creates you sweat more than usual. Mainly the smell comes from the bacteria that live on those feet and in the dirty socks and shoes that cover them.
When your feet sweat a lot, they can play a role to create some extra-stinky bacteria. But the good news is those smelly feet are usually easy to treat by keeping your feet clean and dry, and changing your shoes regularly. So you can follow those above mentions natural remedies to get rid of the bad stink from your feet.
Foot odor is rarely a sign of a health problem, but sometimes an infection can cause it. See a doctor if you see any signs of infection or if the stink simply doesn’t get better.