There’s nothing more embarrassing than removing your shoes only to realize that your feet are smelly. Unfortunately, many people suffer from this condition. Medically referred to as bromodosis, people have tried all sorts of solutions in a bid to find a smelly feet cure. The main cause of this condition is sweaty feet and wearing the same shoes often.

Regardless of the temperature and the weather, anyone can get sweaty feet. However, the condition is more prevalent in pregnant women and teenagers due to hormonal changes in the body. Below is a guide on how to  how to get rid of stinky feet.

How to Cure Smelly Feet

If you’re on your feet the whole day, you are more likely to suffer from sweaty feet than someone who’s seated at a desk. You will also experience excess seating if you are under a lot of stress or are suffering from a condition known as hyperhidrosis. Hyperhydrosis makes you sweat more than you normally would. Athlete’s foot and other fungal infections can also cause smelly feet. Worry not cuz here comes the cure!
1

Soak in Salt

Kosher salt, whose crystals are much larger than common salt, can be used as a smelly feet cure. Add half a cup of the salt to about a liter of water and soak your feet in the solution. When you’re done, do not rinse your feet. Instead, dry them as they are to maximize the effect of the kosher salt. The salt has a drying effect on the skin.

As an alternative, you can use Epsom salt. Add 2 teaspoons of the salt in half a bucket of water and soak your feet for about 15 minutes. As previously mentioned, do not rinse your feet.

It is best to use this approach before going to bed as you won’t have to wear socks or shoes.

2

Wear Good Socks

If you want to steer clear of embarrassing situations with your feet, you’d do well to invest in a good pair of socks. When it comes to socks, what works for one person wouldn’t necessarily work for you. You need to pick a fabric that will keep your feet driest. You can try out acrylic, wool and cotton to find what works best for you. Carry a change of socks with you as you leave the house in the morning and change them during the day. Avoid wearing the same pair of socks two days in a row. This is one of the best foot odor remedies.

3

Watch Your Diet

Garlic, scallions, peppers, onions or any strong flavored foods should be avoided. The powerful aroma and flavor can pass through your bloodstream and into your sweat.

4

Use Baking Soda and Lemon Soak

Baking soda can help with foot odor. It is often used to kill bacteria, control odor and soften the feet. Lemon, on the other hand, helps control excessive sweating and has a great fresh scent. Here’s how to make the soak:

Ingredients

  • Baking soda (¼ cup)

  • Water (8 cups)

  • 1 lemon

  • A basin

Directions

Pour the baking soda into the basin and add eight cups of warm water. Squeeze the lemon into the solution then soak your feet. Do this for about 20 minutes and then dry your feet completely.

5

Soak in Vinegar Mixture

When you use vinegar on your feet, it creates an acidic environment that kills bacteria. Mix half a cup of vinegar with eight cups of hot water. Soak your feet in the solution for about 15 minutes. Once you’re done, wash your feet with soap and water to get rid of the vinegar smell. You can also use ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar).

6

Massage with Ginger Root

Ginger can help inhibit the growth of bacteria on your feet and also remove toxins. Here’s how to go about it:

Take a medium sized piece of ginger root and make a puree. Steep the puree in hot water for about 15 minutes. Strain the solution with a coffee filter. Massage your feet with the resultant smooth liquid every night before you go to bed. Do this for about two weeks.

7

Opt for Black Tea Soak

Black tea is also an excellent smelly feet cure. The tannic acid in black tea can help kill the bacteria that causes foot odor. It will also reduce the amount of sweat by closing the pores on your feet. Here’s how to go about it:

Take 2 tea bags of back tea and immerse them in 3 cups of hot water. Add half a bucket of tap water to the solution to bring down the temperature. Soak your feet in the solution for about 20 minutes. You should do this every day for a week.

8

Try Hibiscrub Soap

The hibiscrub is a quick and sure fire smelly feet cure. Lorraine Jones, a renowned chiropodist, recommends the use of this anti-bacterial soap. The Hibiscrub soap is available over the counter at your local chemist. For best results, apply the Hibiscrub to your feet and leave it on for a few minutes and then wash it off. Do this 2 times a day for a week.

9

More Remedies for Smelly Feet

  • Use cotton wool dipped in surgical spirit to dab between your toes after taking a shower. This will help dry out the skin between the toes.

  • Use antiperspirant or deodorant on your feet – you don’t have to buy a specialist foot product as underarm deodorant will work just as well. You can also use medicated insoles that deodorize the feet.

  • Give your shoes time to dry out by removing innersoles after you’ve worn them. Avoid wearing the same shoes two days in a row.

  • Use baking soda to kill bacteria in your shoes. You can also use talcum powder on your feet before putting on your socks and shoes. Talcum absorbs the sweat that causes odor.

When to see a doctor

While the smelly feet condition usually clears up on its own, it can at times be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. If you’ve tried all home remedies but the odor persists, you should see a doctor. They can recommend antiperspirants or iontophoresis. Iontophoresis is a medical procedure whereby electric current is used to combat excessive sweating by passing it through water to your feet.

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