Ever walked into someone’s apartment, removed your shoes, and watched them throw a disgusted face because of your feet smell? Smelly feet can be uncomfortable and embarrassing in a lot of situations. Your potential partner may even repel you just for the smell of your feet. Additionally, it can cause problems at work and cause awkward social situations.
Causes Of Smelly Feet
People will start to prefer to be less around you and you can face many such judgemental stares and looks from everyone. But don’t worry, we have the perfect remedies for you to get rid of your smelly feet and make your feet smell good in very simple steps.
Smelly feet can cause embarrassment but are not medically serious. Socks and shoes can cause foot sweating, which can worsen your smelly feet. There are several steps a person can take to reduce the incidence of smelly feet related to their type of footwear:
Wearing socks at any time can help a person with smelly feet. Socks, especially those made from sweat-wicking materials, can help absorb sweat and reduce odors.
Shoes that have some breathability can reduce the incidence of sweating and moisture. People can look for shoes that have mesh panels, which allow for some breathability.
- Alternating Shoes & Socks
Allowing shoe time to fully dry out between wears can help to cut down on mostly smelly feet. Wearing one pair of shoes one day, then another pair the next day can give your shoes enough time to dry. You can keep an extra pair of socks on hand to change into during the day. This will help to cut down on sweating and smell.
A person can also replace their shoe insoles with odor-reducing or antibacterial insoles. Another option is to purchase an antibacterial or disinfectant spray to use on their insoles. However, this option is not generally as effective as allowing the insoles of the shoes to dry out fully.
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Smelly Feet
Exfoliating using a pumice stone is a great way to treat smelly feet. Good foot hygiene is a key feature for treating and preventing smelly feet. This also includes washing the feet daily with antibacterial soap and paying close attention to the areas between the toes. Other smelly feet home remedies include:
1. Exfoliate
Using a scrub or pumice stone will help to remove dead skin cells that bacteria usually feed on. A person that has especially smelly feet can use a pumice stone 2-3 times each week to avoid any build-up. Pumice stones are easily available for purchase online.
Also Read: Peeling Feet: Know The Reason Behind
2. Salt Soak
Soaks are very useful as part of an exfoliating routine or just on their own. Prepare a bowl or tub of warm water at your home and dissolve one-half cup of Epsom salts in it. Soak your feet for 10-20 minutes and then dry the feet thoroughly.
3. Vinegar Soak
Add 2 parts warm water and 1-part vinegar, apple cider or white vinegar are both suitable for this purpose, to a tub and soak your feet for 15-20 minutes. However, you should not use a vinegar soak if you have any cuts, sores, or scratches, as the vinegar can easily irritate open areas of the skin.
4. Antiperspirant
Deodorant is the easiest cheapest and fastest way to mask your foot odor. An alternative remedy is to use an antiperspirant on your feet. Even though it is traditionally used for the underarms, applying antiperspirant to the feet can help reduce the incidence of sweating. If necessary, your doctor can prescribe stronger antiperspirants suitable for your feet. One more option is to use corn starch, which is highly absorbent.
These are all the remedies and methods you can use to get rid of your smelly feet. However, if you suddenly experience a new onset of smelly feet, you should inspect your feet for signs of sores or cuts that could be infected. You can put a mirror on the floor and examine the bottom of your feet to look for any abnormalities.
If your feet do have signs of wounds, you are advised to see your doctor. And if not, you can try over-the-counter and at-home measures mentioned in this article to reduce your smelly feet. However, if your feet and excessive sweating cannot be controlled using home remedies, prescription treatments are always available. You should look for methods to treat your feet' smell and save yourself from the embarrassing feeling of having smelly feet.
Also Read; Simple 10 Step Home Pedicure