How To Deal With Smelly Feet?

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Our body odor defines our attractiveness and confidence. Awful smells tend to have an emotional impact on how we view things. We’ve all been in situations where we could not tolerate body odors from other people or even ourselves at times, but nothing is more common than smelly feet. Whereas normal body odor comes from sweating, many people believe that sweat in itself is what causes the smell, but it isn’t. Health experts explain that sweat itself is odorless, but it creates a condusive environment for certain bacteria to reproduce. In turn, they produce the foul odors that we revile. While body odor is common among everyone, smelly feet tend to be more disturbing and common when one is not too careful about his/her hygiene.

Just like with body odor, our feet also sweat and attract the same bacteria that lead to foul smells or bromodosis. No one wants to encounter smelly feet and that is why we should equip ourselves with tips on how to keep our feet odorless. For starters, foot odor is not gender specific as it affects almost everyone. However, the real question that will undoubtedly help clear the air is ‘what amplifies feet smell?’.

What Amplifies Feet Smell?

You are more likely to have sweaty feet if you’re on your feet all day, which might make your feet sweat more than usual. Nonetheless, this should not make your feet smelly unless the situation is further intensified by you wearing unbreathable shoes or you have a foot fungal infection.

Plastic, Rubber Or Synthetic Shoes

Good shoe fabrics should allow your feet to breath. Plastic, rubber and synthetic leather are some of the materials that make your feet sweat more than usual. They allow bacteria to build up and in the long run lead to foul smells. Thus, when considering what type of shoe to buy, you should consider materials such as leather, cotton and hemp. Choosing a shoe that is more open or breathable can also help prevent moisture and bad smells from getting trapped. To eliminate build up, it is good to give take breaks from your shoes occasionally for them to air out and breathe.

Foot Fungal Infection

Fungi flourishes in warm and humid environments like sweaty feet. Consequently, the fungi on your feet might be the reason why you are experiencing a bad stench from your feet. The most common skin infection caused by fungi is the athlete’s foot which causes unpleasant smells.

Worn Out Shoes

When you wear worn out shoes your feet are susceptible to more dirt. The sweat, dirt and warmth become a breeding ground for bacteria. Worn out shoes are likely to trap dirt and moisture next to the skin which allows the shoe to absorb the odors released by bacteria more readily. Funky feet and smelly shoes can lead to annoyance, embarrassment, and can be stumbling block in your social life. Always make sure your shoes are intact to avoid humiliating yourself with unbearable feet smell.

Remedies For Stinky Feet

Foot Antiperspirant/Deodorant

Just like with your underarms, you can use deodorant on your feet to control sweat and stink. After applying the antiperspirant, however, you should allow it to dry before putting on your dry socks and shoes. A strong foot antiperspirant is one of the best ways to stop unwanted sweating and can help de-stink your feet and your shoes.

Foot Powder

Generally, foot powders contain baking soda and talcum powder to help fight off sweat and odor. Essentially, the powder controls wetness, puts an end to odor, and leaves the feet cool and revitalized for a 24 hours’ protection. Similarly, you can sprinkle the inside of your shoes with the powder to further absorb sweat. For that reason, this is a great solution for smelly feet.

Keeping Your Feet Dry And Clean

You should wash your feet daily with an antibacterial soap. In addition to this, you must dry your feet thoroughly especially between your toes as bacteria thrives well between moist toes. Also, keep your toenails short and clean, and remove any hard skin with a foot file. The basis of removing hard skin is that it can become damp, which provides a perfect home for bacteria.

Choosing The Right Shoes And Socks

Perhaps you are now asking yourself ‘what are the best shoes for smelly feet?’ Well, when investing in footwear you should consider comfort and function. Comfort and function in the sense that they will keep your feet dry and odorless. Breathable shoes are a great for reducing foot sweat. If you’re wearing closed toe-shoes, you too need to wear clean, dry socks. Since sweat and odor can build up as you sweat each day. Alternating your shoes can give them time to dry out and reduce bacteria. Try to cycle through a few different pairs of shoes, so each pair gets more time to dry out between uses. Additionally, let you shoes air out in a well-lit and well-ventilated area. Switching out shoe insoles with odor-reducing or antibacterial insoles is also a good way to curb the stench.

Last Take

Conclusively, smell feet can be managed by maintaining good hygiene, wearing open shoes, applying anti-fungal powders and using anti-bacterial scrubs. If the condition becomes intolerable, it is advisable to visit your podiatrist for advice as you may be suffering from hyperhidrosis, which makes your feet sweat more than usual or even athletes’ foot which results in the foul odor. The primary cause of smelly feet is usually the lack of ventilation for your feet. The unpleasant smell comes when the sweat is not allowed to escape from your feet and bacteria builds up. Other methods of reducing sweet and foot odor are prescription medications and perspiration sprays which include topical steroids, antifungal or antibacterial. All in all, you should not let smelly feet deter you from taking off your shoes. All you need to do is remember that understanding the problem is the first step towards getting a solution.

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