No single person wants to deal with the embarrassment that is brought about by foot odor. For a person that is dealing with this problem, below are some natural ways to get rid of smelly feet or foot odor fast and Instantly. How to kill bad smell from your feet and stop sweaty foot can be a challenge especially when it is hormonal. The good news is that terrible odor from your feet that won’t go away can still be treated with simple home remedies and care.
Foot odor problem that has the potential to affect our daily lives and may lead to little or no social lives, especially when a person is required to attend the gym, be in the outdoors, or in situations where they are required to remove their shoes or flats.
According to a recent study by the Skin and Care Foundation located in Australia, “stinky feet will often come with a very offensive odor. It is a condition that normally starts at childhood and is likely to have a negative effect on career choices, social development, as well as on education”
For people with foot odor, the good news is that wit good daily hygiene, it is possible to eliminate the stinky feet condition, and in the process eliminate the embarrassment that it may cause.
How do I Get Rid of Foot Odor?
In many cases, excessive sweating in the feet is diagnosed by examining the feet, as well as checking the symptoms that come with this condition.
- It is possible for the podiatrist to perform the starch iodine test, which is used to confirm this diagnosis. In this test, iodine will be applied to the bottom of your feet by the podiatrist.
- Once the iodine solution is completely dry, some cornstarch will then be applied to this area. Normally, the area that has been treated will turn dark blue if excessive sweating is present.
However, there are a few things that you can do at home to help you get rid of the foot odor right from the comfort of your residence.
1. Practice Good Hygiene
Eliminating the stinky feet problem is as simple as ensuring that you practice good hygiene on a daily basis. It may include ensuring you wash your feet on a daily basis with an antibacterial soap.
- It is always important to make sure that you wash your feet daily, and after they are clean ensure that you dry them properly. Ensure that the area between the toes is clean.
When drying the feet, it is recommended that you use a dry towel, you can also use dry cotton balls to dab in between the toes, which will help eliminate any moisture that could be present.
- It is possible to treat the sweaty feet by using an antibacterial foot scrub, but you should avoid using the foot scrub when you have eczema or broken skin.
Always ensure that your toenails are not only clean but that they are also trimmed, as this will help in eliminating toenail fungus. You should use a foot file to eliminate all the hard skin.
2. Use a DIY Foot Scrub or Foot Powder
When you have washed your feet and properly dried them using a towel, you may proceed to apply powders such as arrowroot powder, baking soda, or cornstarch. These powders will help absorb all the extra moisture that is present.
According to Dr. Axe, you could also choose to add some essential oils to the foot powder. The essential oils are known to be antifungal in nature.
3. Soak the Feet
At home, it is possible to try home remedies such as salt baths, apple cider vinegar, as well as tea soaks.
Practicing proper hygiene, and a regular rotation of your shoes will ensure that the smelly feet condition is eliminated for good.
To get temporary relief from this condition, it is recommended that you try a home remedy made from apple cider vinegar. Dr. Axe recommends adding two parts of water to the apple cider vinegar.
4. Learn to Rotate Your Shoes
When you avoid wearing the same set of shoes or flats each day, it becomes possible to eliminate the foot odor problem, as well as deal with the stinky feet situation.
- It is recommended that you try rotating between two and three pairs of shoes or flats each day, in order to provide the opportunity to dry properly before you can wear the shoes again.
Shoe rotation helps in preventing pitted keratolysis, a skin condition that is characterized by the formation of crateriform
- Ensure you wear shoes that fit properly, and made from leather. Such shoes will allow the feet to breathe, and will in many cases not soak up any sweat. Whenever possible, you should try to wear sandals that are open-toed
While at home, try going barefoot to give your feet enough time to breathe.
5. Always Wear Socks and Ensure You Change Them Regularly
It is considered essential for a person to wear socks, especially socks, which absorb moisture. You will need to wear socks that are made from cotton, wool, or a combination of both.
Wool and cotton socks are preferred as compared to nylon.
Foot Odor after Shower
Do you have smelly feet after a shower? well, you are not alone. It can be very frustrating to have a foul smell coming from your feet even after taking a shower.
If the feet are still stinking even after taking a bath, it is probably because the bacterium that causes this smell is residing at the top layer of your skin.
Chances are that the bacteria have taken over your shoes as well.
Foot Odor and Itching
Foot odor accompanied by itching is also known as athletes’ foot. It means that you not only have to deal with feet that are itchy and smelly but the embarrassment that comes with it as well.
The symptoms of athlete’s foot include:
- Cracked skin
- Flaky and dry feet soles
- Blisters
- The presence of red patches on your skin
- Inflammation and a burning sensation
Causes of Smelly Feet
The human feet are the natural habitats for millions of bacteria. The bacteria present on the feet often thrive on the skin cells that have been shed as well as on the human sweat.
The by-products that are released by the bacteria are what causes the foul-smelling emanating from the feet. When a person spends the whole day in tight-fitting shoes and then sweats all day, it means that they are providing the bacteria with more food to consume.
It is also possible for the odor to be caused by fungal infections that have been poorly controlled, like athletes foot.
Individuals suffering from heart disease or diabetes, in addition to elderly people will in most cases be more prone to smelly feet and foot infections, as their blood circulation is not sufficient.
The following are the primary causes of this condition:
1. Shoes
When you wear the same shoes each day, there is a likelihood that you will get stinky feet. It is common for the human feet to become smelly when the sweat soaks into these shoes.
Wearing shoes before they have dried will cause this problem.
2. Poor Personal Hygiene
Hygiene plays an important role in causing stinky feet. When you fail to properly wash your feet, it means that the bacteria are provided with enough food to continue growing.
There is a need to ensure that you not only wash your feet on a daily basis, but that you use a dry towel to properly dry them, and ensure that no moisture is left between your toes.
3. Hormonal Changes
Changes in your hormones can make your feet begin to sweat more than usual. Hormonal changes are common in adolescents as well as pregnant women.
These two groups will, therefore, need to exercise a lot of caution and care to ensure that they will not get stinky feet as a result of the changes in their hormones.
4. Stress
Stress is another factor, which can cause the smelly feet’ condition. Normally, when a person is stressed, they end up shedding more skin cells, as well as sweating profusely.
As discussed above, the bacterium thrives in sweaty areas, as well as areas where there are many skin cells that have been shed.
Being under a lot of stress will, therefore, make it possible for these bacteria to grow, which will lead to very foul smell from your feet.
5. Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a condition, which makes your body sweat more than it should. The bacteria, which naturally occur on your skin surface, will then use the sweat to feed and continue growing.
Additional causes include:
- Alcohol and drugs
- Diabetes
- Insoles
- Zinc deficiency
- Fungus
Home Remedies for Foot Odor
Foot odor also referred to as bromhidrosis in medical circles is a condition that can be very embarrassing to people who have it, as well as those around them.
- Smelly feet have been known to take place when the feet begin to sweat, and the sweat is unable to evaporate as a person is wearing socks or shoes.
- The bacteria that are naturally present on the feet will begin to grow as they start to feed on the dead skin cells, as well as the cell, and in the process begin to produce the foul smell, which is known as foot odor.
To help get rid of this problem, there are a few natural cures that you can try at home. For the home remedies to be successful, it is required that you follow them religiously for a few weeks, for you to get the best results possible.
In many cases, the natural cures will help you deal with this problem within a week or two, at the most.
The following are some of the natural cures that you can try from the comfort of your residence.
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate is one natural cure, which is very effective when it comes to dealing with foot odor.
Sodium bicarbonate works by neutralizing the pH levels of your sweat, and in the process eliminates the bacteria that had started to grow on the skin.
How to use it at home;
- Scoop a single tablespoon of sodium bicarbonate and place it in some warm water
- Proceed to stir the warm water before soaking your feet into it for between fifteen and twenty minutes, each night, for at least seven days
- Alternatively, you can sprinkle a small amount of baking soda in your shoes before you wear them each morning
2. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil not only has a very good smell, but it also happens to be very effective when it comes to killing unwanted bacteria.
Additionally, lavender oil comes with important anti-fungal properties, which are quite effective when one has feet that are smelly.
Below is how to use lavender oil for smelly feet
- Warm a small amount of water, and then add some lavender oil to it
- Stir the water and then proceed to place your feet into this water for twenty minutes
- Go through this process for a few days, and ensure that you repeat it two times each single day
3. Alum
This powder contains antiseptic and astringent properties. It, therefore, helps in inhibiting the growth of bacteria that can lead to a foul smell.
How to use it at home;
- Warm a small amount of water and then add a single tablespoon of alum powder
- You will need to use the alum powder solution to wash your feet
- Allow the feet to soak for between fifteen and twenty minutes
- Once this is done, use a towel to thoroughly dry your before sprinkling some alum powder to the feet
- Ensure you use the alum powder solution each day
4. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt has also been known to help minimize the smell caused by smelly feet. It does this by neutralizing the foot odor and by fighting the microbial infection, which causes the problem.
You can also use the detoxifying foot bath made from Epsom salt to soothe your aching feet.
Here is what to do with Epsom salt
- Take two tablespoons of Epsom salt and add them to half a bucket of water (preferably warm)
- Take your feet and place them in this solution for then fifteen minutes.
- To ensure that you will get favorable results, you should use this solution each night before you get into bed as it will ensure that you do not have to wear socks for the next few hours, allowing it enough time to work on your feet
5. Black Tea
Black tea contains tannic acid, which is vital in eliminating the bacteria that has been known to cause foul smells on your feet.
The tannic acid is also vital in that it helps in closing the pores that are present on the foot, and by doing this, it is able to reduce the amount of sweat produced by the feet, thereby starving the bacteria.
Below are steps to follow when using black tea
- Take two tea bags and place them in three cups of water
- Proceed to boil the tea bags in this water
- To ensure that you get to lower the temperature of this solution, you will need to half a bucket of water to the solution
- Place your feet in the black tea solution for twenty minutes
- Repeat the steps daily for the next week
6. Vinegar
Vinegar plays an important role in eliminating bacteria give that it creates an acidic environment, which makes it difficult for the bacteria to survive.
It is possible to use any type of vinegar when looking to treat smelly feet. Apple cider vinegar is highly recommended for use in dealing with this condition.
Here is how to use vinegar;
- Prepare a solution from combining a single and half cup of apple cider vinegar with at least eight cups of warm water
- Ensure you soak your feet in the apple cider vinegar solution for at least fifteen minutes
- When you are done soaking your feet, make sure to thoroughly wash the feet using warm water to remove the vinegar smell
7. Borax
Borax eliminates foot odor by killing the bacteria that are present on the skin. It uses its disinfectant properties to eliminate the bacteria
Below is how to use borax
- Scoop one and a half teaspoons of borax and add them to two cups of water. You will also need to scoop an equal amount of vinegar
- Place this solution in a spray bottle and then proceed to spray it inside your regular shoes
- Alternatively, use the borax powder to dust the interior part of your shoes before you can wear them each day
8. Sugar Scrub
Regular removal of calluses and dead skin will also be vital in dealing with the smelly feet. You will need to use a scrubber when cleaning the feet, as this is vital in ensuring that calluses do not form.
It is possible to create a powerful homemade scrub by following these instructions:
Here is how to use it;
- Combine alcohol, clean water, and sugar
- You will need to use more sugar as compared to water to create a mixture that is thick
- For the alcohol, you will need to use a single part for every five parts of water
- It will be important to repeat this at least three times each week
- To ensure that you get the best possible results, you will need to soak the feet in warm water before you can sugar scrub.
9. Sage
The sage leaves are known to contain tannic acid, which is vital when it comes to reducing sweat production, which is the primary cause of the foot odor.
The herb also contains antifungal and antibacterial properties
How to use it at home
- Take dried sage leaves that have been ground and place them in your socks and shoes
- The powder will absorb all the odor that is present, and leave behind a very nice scent
- Alternatively, you can soak your feet in the sage solution for at least fifteen minutes
- You could also drink tea made from sage
10. Ginger Root
Ginger is another effective solution to consider when you are dealing with smelly feet. The ginger will inhibit the growth of bacteria as well as remove any toxins that could be present
How to use it at home
- Use a mid-sized ginger root to make some puree
- Proceed to steep the puree in a cup of hot water for at least fifteen minutes
- A coffee filter should be used to filter the solution made from ginger root
- Proceed to use the smooth liquid to massage the feel gently every single night as you prepare to go to bed
- Ensure you repeat the ginger root application process each night for at least two weeks
Treatment
You can use the following items when trying to treat stinky feet condition
1. Cream
Creams are soothing, effective, and can be applied once each day to treat athletes foot, as well as the annoying symptoms that the conditions come with when it manifests itself
Most creams used in treating this condition contain Bifonzale, and which is very effective in dealing with all the symptoms that come with this condition.
2. Sprays
Sprays are convenient and ideal when it comes to treating athletes foot, which is one of the primary causes of stinky feet.
- Although there are many types of sprays in the market, you should try and look for one that contains aluminum chloride.
Sprays containing this essential component will ensure that your feet remain dry and fresh at all times. To ensure that this problem will not come back, you have to make sure that you continue using it on a regular basis, or else the stinky feet condition may come back.
Tips to note when getting rid of smelly feet
Even though many people have suffered from the perspiration of the feet, odor, and damp feet at some point in their lives, for most of us, smelly feet are a relentless problem, which will often cause a lot of discomforts.
- You should always remember that stinky feet are brought about by the breakdown of sweat by the bacteria that are present on your skin. As you this sweat begins to decompose, it will end up producing a cheesy smell.
There are some causes that are related to injuries that have to do with the structural issues in the foot area, daily stress, as well as having to stand on your feet all day.
If people would take it upon themselves to use the above products, or try the home remedies that were discussed earlier, stinky feet would become a thing of the past. It would thus lead to a clean environment both at home, in the workplace, and in the world.
