Are you worried about the unpleasant smell that comes from your feet? Do people flinch when you walk by? Do not even dogs gnaw your shoes? Here are some ways to get rid of unpleasant foot odor.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Work Your Feet
Step 1. Wash your feet
It seems obvious, but rinsing your feet quickly with soap and water is not enough. It is necessary to get rid of bacteria and dead skin cells that bacteria feed on. Wash the entire surface of your feet with a washcloth, brush, or any other abrasive product and antibacterial soap. Remember to rinse well between your fingers.
Step 2. Dry your feet
Feet must be wiped thoroughly, as moisture is the most favorable environment for bacteria. Remember to wipe it between your fingers.
Step 3. Use hand sanitizer
It may sound strange, but a good odorless product kills germs and inhibits bacterial growth.
Step 4. Use an antiperspirant
You can use the same antiperspirant you use on your underarms. Most importantly, use different tubes for different areas. Apply it to clean, dry feet before bed and put on your socks and shoes in the morning as usual to help keep your feet dry and fresh throughout the day.
- The antiperspirant actually reacts with the electrolytes in the sweat, thereby forming "gel plugs" that block your sweat ducts. Since there are over 250,000 sweat glands on each of your feet (more sweat glands per square centimeter than any other part of your body), an antiperspirant can really help.
- Do not apply it immediately before going outside, otherwise your feet will slip in your shoes.
Step 5. Mix equal parts vinegar (which already contains 95% water) and alcohol
Place a few drops of this solution daily (using a pipette) on the big toes and irritated areas. The solution is safe for your skin. Vinegar kills fungus and alcohol kills bacteria. This method can be used to treat fungus.
To prevent unpleasant odors, you can take a foot bath in equal parts water and vinegar. You can also add a spoonful of baking soda and a few drops of thyme oil to the solution; both help to get rid of unpleasant odors
Step 6. Rub your feet with at least one of the following powders
Be sure to apply it between your fingers. Here's what you can apply:
- Talc. It will dry your feet.
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61892 8 bullet 1 - Soda. It creates an alkaline environment that is not friendly to bacteria.
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61892 8 bullet 2 - Corn starch. It absorbs sweat.
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Method 2 of 3: Tackle your socks and shoes
Step 1. Wear sandals or open-toed shoes
Feet will not overheat and produce excessive sweat. Even if your feet sweat, the sweat will evaporate.
In the colder months, wear leather or canvas shoes that will allow your feet to "breathe". Avoid rubber and plastic shoes
Step 2. Wear clean socks every day
Socks absorb sweat when you wear them and dry when you take them off. If you wear the same pair of socks the next day, you will "warm up" the old sweat, which will contribute to bad odors. Change your socks every day, especially if your feet are constantly sweating.
- If you are not wearing open shoes, you should always wear socks. Try wearing two pairs of socks to help absorb moisture.
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61892 10 bullet 2 - Wash socks inside out. This way you are more likely to get rid of dead skin flakes.
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61892 10 bullet 1 - Buy absorbent socks made from cotton or wool. Non-absorbent socks (like nylon) trap moisture around your feet, which bacteria love.
Step 3. Sprinkle a little baking soda on your shoes daily
Remember to shake out the old baking soda before adding fresh baking soda. Soda absorbs moisture and odors.
Step 4. Try cedarwood or cloves
Put cedarwood or cloves in your shoes; after a few days, the smell will disappear.
Step 5. Use cedar insoles
In addition to cedar shavings, you can also use cedar insoles. Natural cedarwood essential oils have antibacterial and antifungal properties that fight bacteria and help cure and prevent foot odor, athlete's foot, and nail fungus. Such insoles will save you from everyday procedures such as applying powder or cream.
Step 6. Change your shoes
Dry your shoes well to avoid keeping bacteria alive. The shoe needs 24 hours to dry completely.
- Remove the insoles to help your shoes dry faster. If you wear the same pair of shoes every day, this is a great recipe for smelly feet. To keep your shoes dry by morning, tuck crumpled newspapers into your shoes overnight.
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Step 7. Wash your shoes regularly
Very often, shoes can be washed in a washing machine. Let the shoes dry well before putting them back on.
Step 8. Take off your shoes at every opportunity
This will help keep both feet and shoes dry.
Step 9. Use a shoe dryer
There are low energy dryers that use convection air currents to slowly and completely dry wet, sweaty shoes. Put your shoes in the dryer and after 8 hours you will be completely dry and warm. The dryer destroys the moisture that bacteria love and also prolongs the life of the shoe.
Method 3 of 3: Home remedies to treat foot odor
Step 1. Use bleach
Mix 2 tablespoons of bleach with 4 liters of warm water. Take this foot bath every day for 5-10 minutes for a week. If your skin becomes too dry, lubricate it with a little baby oil.
- Wash white socks with bleach. If your shoes can withstand the bleach, soak them in this solution for half an hour and then rinse them. Remember to dry your shoes well.
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Step 2. Tea foot bath
Do this foot bath for a week for 30 minutes a day. The tannic acid in the tea will dry out the skin.
Step 3. Salt water
Take half a cup of salt per liter of water. After taking a foot bath, do not rinse the solution off your feet, just dry them thoroughly.
Step 4. Aluminum acetate
It will also dry out your skin. You will need one packet of Domeboro or 2 tablespoons of Burov's solution (both sold without a prescription) for half a liter of water. Apply the bath for 10-20 minutes.
Step 5. Make a baking soda solution
For a liter of water, you need to take 1 tablespoon of baking soda. This solution increases the alkalinity of the skin, and bacteria do not like it.
Step 6. Vinegar with water
This mixture increases the acidity of the skin. Add half a glass of vinegar to a liter of water.
Keep in mind that if your feet have a sour smell, this solution may worsen the situation
Step 7. Use baby powder for shoes
Baby powder or baking soda will keep you from getting unpleasant odors later on. Step 8. Wash your feet with a pumice stone every day.
The pumice stone will remove dead skin and prevent bacteria from forming.
Advice
- As a last resort, wipe your feet with an antibacterial damp cloth or paper towel dipped in rubbing alcohol.
- Make sure your body is getting the recommended daily dose of zinc. A lack of zinc can cause bad foot odor, body odor, and bad breath. Take zinc with or separately from other multivitamins.
- Powder your shoes outdoors with good ventilation.
- Try a natural crystal-based deodorant. These aerosols make the skin "inhospitable" to bacteria.
- Stress can stimulate sweating.
- Don't just wear socks. They collect a lot of bacteria. Then, when you put your shoes back on, the bacterial population will greatly increase in a humid, warm environment.
- Wash your feet at least once a day.
- Use cornstarch-based foot powder or other talc-free additives.
- Change your socks regularly.
- Take care of your toenails and trim them regularly.
- Shower daily and wash your feet thoroughly.
Warnings
- Do not dry your shoes with a hair dryer, in the oven, or on the rear window of a car. Excessive heat spoils the skin, melts glue and plastic. Shoes must dry slowly to maintain their shape, elasticity and durability.
- There is nothing wrong with the smell of feet. But if any other symptoms appear, then it could be athlete's foot, ringworm, or an infection. Seek medical advice if you have pus, calluses, dry or flaky skin, itching, or signs of skin cancer.
- Do not shake the foot powder in your bedroom or car to avoid inhaling it later.
- Talc is the most common ingredient in foot powders. Be careful as it can damage your lungs if inhaled frequently.
- Pour the powder directly into your shoes and do it gently. Be careful not to form a cloud and inhale the powder.
- If you have diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, peripheral neuropathy, or peripheral edema (i.e. venous insufficiency), consult your podiatrist or doctor. Foot baths in the above cases are inappropriate and require consultation with a doctor.
- Wash your feet carefully in the shower, as the soap will make them very slippery.