Do you suffer from a particularly severe case of "stinky feet"? Do people make a face when you get close? Do your dogs avoid chewing on your shoes? Here are some tips that can help you keep the bad foot odor under control.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Washing the Feet
Step 1. Rub your feet
It seems obvious, but a quick scrub with soap and water in the shower isn't enough. Your goal is to get rid of all the bacteria and dead cells that bacteria love to feed on, so when you wash your feet, you need to exfoliate the entire surface with a cloth, brush or any other abrasive tool and use a soap. antibacterial.
Don't forget to rub between your fingers as well
Step 2. Dry your feet
Make sure you dry them completely. Moisture, whether from water or sweat, creates a breeding ground for bacteria, so take your time to dry them well and don't neglect the space between your fingers.
Step 3. Use a hand sanitizer
It may sound strange, but a good hand sanitizer, whether it's scented or unscented, can kill germs on your feet and stop bacterial growth.
If you have open wounds or cracked feet you shouldn't use a hand sanitizer, as it will dry out the skin even more
Step 4. Use an antiperspirant
You can use the same product you use for your armpits, as long as you use a different stick for your feet. Apply it in the evening to clean, dry feet and wear your socks and shoes as normal the next morning. This way you can keep your feet dry and fresh throughout the day.
- The antiperspirant reacts with the electrolytes from the sweat and forms a "gel plug" that blocks the sweat ducts. Since each foot has over 250,000 sweat glands (a density per square centimeter greater than any other part of the body), a little antiperspirant can be a great solution.
- Don't apply it just before going out, though, or your foot will slip inside the shoe.
Step 5. Make a mixture of 1 part vinegar and two parts water
The vinegar kills the fungus that could be causing foot odor. Pour the water into a large bowl and add the vinegar. Soak your feet for 20-30 minutes.
Add a couple of tablespoons of baking soda and a few drops of thyme oil, as they both help eliminate the odor
Step 6. Scrub your feet with one or more of the following powders
Remember to cover the space between your fingers as well. These are the substances contained in most products or sprays designed to treat this annoying problem:
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Talcum powder. It is an astringent, so it helps dry feet.
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Sodium bicarbonate. Creates an alkaline environment hostile to bacterial proliferation.
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Cornstarch. This substance also helps absorb sweat.
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Method 2 of 3: Refresh the Footwear
Step 1. Put on sandals or open toe shoes
If the shoes are open at the toe, the air circulates better around the feet keeping them cool and preventing them from sweating excessively. In this way the sweat evaporates quickly thanks to the air flow.
In the colder months, wear leather or canvas shoes that allow the foot to "breathe". Avoid rubber or plastic ones
Step 2. Change your socks every day
The socks absorb the sweat from your feet, which dry when you take them off. If you keep the same dirty pair of socks on for two consecutive days, you basically just heat up the sweat even more, causing it to smell bad. It is therefore important to change your socks every day, especially if your feet tend to sweat.
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Unless you are wearing open shoes, you should always wear socks. Try wearing two pairs to absorb even more moisture from your feet.
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When washing your socks, put them inside out in the washing machine so it's easier to scrub and get rid of any dead skin.
61892 10 bullet 1 - Choose cotton or wool socks, which absorb sweat. Non-absorbent socks (such as nylon ones) retain moisture around the foot, creating a favorable environment for bacteria to grow.
Step 3. Every day, lightly sprinkle your shoes and socks with baking soda
Discard the one from the previous day before adding more fresh. This substance is able to absorb moisture and odors.
If your feet start to feel dry or sore, spend a few days without using baking soda. You may need to take breaks from time to time
Step 4. Use cedar wood or cloves to freshen your shoes
Put some cedar wood shavings or a few whole cloves inside the shoes for a couple of days, during which time you won't be wearing them. The smell will disappear in a short time.
Step 5. Use cedar wood slabs
In addition to cedar wood shavings you can also use cedar wood insoles while not wearing shoes. Natural cedar essential oils have antibacterial properties, which fight bacteria and help heal and prevent foot odor. They also have antifungal properties, which help prevent nail fungus and athlete's foot. It's also a convenient way that doesn't force you into the need for daily routines like using powder or cream.
Step 6. Alternate the footwear you are wearing
Allow the shoes to dry completely so that no bacteria can settle. It takes at least 24 hours for a shoe to completely lose moisture.
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Remove the insoles to facilitate drying, otherwise, by constantly wearing damp shoes, you will end up with smelly feet. Place crumpled newspaper inside the damp shoes to dry them overnight.
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Step 7. Wash your footwear regularly
Many models can be put directly in the washing machine, the important thing is that they are completely dry when you wear them again.
Step 8. Remove your shoes frequently
Whenever you can take a break, take them off to keep them dry along with your feet.
Step 9. Use a shoe dryer
There are several models on the market, with low wattage, which slowly and completely dry shoes and boots by exploiting the convective motion of the air. Place your footwear on these devices at the end of the day or after a training session and you can wear them dry, warm and comfortable again about 8 hours later. Dryers remove the moisture responsible for the growth of bacteria, which in turn generate bad odors; they also guarantee a longer life of the shoes themselves.
Method 3 of 3: Home Remedies
Step 1. Take a foot bath with tea
Soak your feet in tea for 30 minutes a day for a week. The tannic acid contained absorbs moisture from the skin.
Step 2. Use salt water
Add half a cup of whole salt to every liter of water and soak your feet. When finished, you don't need to rinse your feet, just dry them well.
Step 3. Apply aluminum acetate
This powder (which you can find in pharmacies), also called Burow's solution, is able to reduce sweating of the feet. Mix 2 tablespoons in half a liter of water. Take a foot bath for 10-20 minutes each time.
- Talk to your doctor before using aluminum acetate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Make sure you follow all instructions on the package.
- This product can cause dryness, itching, temporary burning or inflammation of the skin. If any of these side effects occur, stop using aluminum acetate.
Step 4. Make a baking soda mixture
Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda to a liter of water. This solution makes the skin more alkaline, thus inhibiting bacterial growth.
Baking soda makes the skin more alkaline, which can alter the skin's pH. This can cause irritation and can reduce skin acidity, which helps control unwanted bacteria and fungal growth, so long-term use of this substance may not be the best remedy
Step 5. Scrub your feet daily with a pumice stone
This way you get rid of dead skin and prevent bacteria from developing.
Wash and dry the pumice stone well after each use
Advice
- Stressful situations can trigger sweating. For this reason, you may notice that in particularly tense moments your feet can smell more.
- Don't walk wearing only socks. This attracts a lot of bacteria which, once you put your shoes on, can thrive in a humid environment that is favorable to them.
- Wash your feet at least once a day.
- If you're short on time, you can wipe your feet with an antibacterial wipe or alcohol-soaked paper towel.
- You can put baking soda on your feet and in your shoes.
- Get the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of zinc. Deficiency in this mineral can contribute to foot odor, as well as general body odor and bad breath. Check that zinc is included in the multivitamin product you take, or buy specific supplements.
- Sprinkle your shoes with anti-odor powders (talcum powder, baking soda, etc.) outside where there is good ventilation, for example under the porch.
- Cut and brush your nails carefully, it will certainly help.
- Try a natural deodorant made from potassium alum that works by making the skin inhospitable to bacteria.
- Buy foot powders that contain mostly cornstarch or other ingredients, and avoid those with talcum powder.
- Take a shower a day and wash your feet every time.
- Wear open footwear to ensure good air circulation and reduce sweat, which is responsible for bad odors.
- Change your socks every time you put your shoes on and use a specific deodorant spray suitable for athletes.
- You can go to your hometown shoe store (or anywhere else) to buy deodorants to put in your shoes that release a fresh scent.
- If you can, always carry a spare pair of socks with you and replace the ones you wear at least once during the day.
- Never wear shoes without socks.
- Wear open-toed shoes to allow your feet to breathe.
- When you're not wearing them, put a dryer fabric softener sheet in your shoes to perfume them.
- If your shoes are particularly damp, try stuffing them with crumpled old newspapers, as they can absorb excess moisture. Also add some corn starch or talcum powder to permanently dry the shoes.
Warnings
- Foot odor is not a disease, but only an unpleasant inconvenience. However, if you have other symptoms, there may be a problem such as athlete's foot, ringworm or another infection: in this case you need to see a doctor. Check for pus, recurring blisters, persistence of dry, flaky skin, itchiness, or signs of skin cancer.
- Never dry your shoes with a hair dryer, in the oven or on the rear window of a hot vehicle. Excessive heat ruins the leather and melts the glue and plastic. Shoes should be dried slowly and gently, so that they can keep their original shape, softness and strength.
- Be careful when washing your feet in the shower because when they are soapy they don't offer a great grip and you could get hurt.
- Baby powder, a popular powder additive for feet, can cause lung damage if it is inhaled often.
- See your podiatrist or doctor if you have diabetes, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), peripheral arterial disease (PAD), peripheral neuropathy, or peripheral edema (i.e. venous insufficiency). In these cases, treatments that include a foot bath are not always suitable and must be evaluated individually on a case-by-case basis. Play it safe and ask your podiatrist or doctor for advice.
- Gently shake the container of powder product and point it directly at the shoes, to avoid creating a cloud of dust.
- Avoid shaking talcum powder when in the bedroom or in the car to reduce the chances of inhaling it.
