Summer and sunny conditions always mean stinky feet, especially if you are prone to the condition. With all the miles you are going to put on this season, such as when walking to the bus station, chasing sugar-high kids around the house and more – your feet are going to sweat. Since they are feet, and are often in enclosed conditions, the sweating is likely to cause various hygiene issues. In some cases, the issues can be due to factors such as sweat gland complications, health issues, poor diets, and more.
That said, sweating does not have to relate to smelly feet, mainly if you apply the correct foot-care methods. Otherwise referred to hyperhidrosis, the condition most common amongst active people and people who live in warm environments. The feet consist of thousands of sweat glands. Any compromise to the conditions required for optimal foot ventilation can thus, lead to the accumulation of sweat. Therefore, when you put on socks, and the sweat accumulates, you are likely to experience feet that produce odors.
When the glands work overtime, you become prone to the complication of hyperhidrosis. It’s a condition that leads to excessive sweating in the skin, which is a condition that may worsen during hot conditions. Are there techniques for addressing sweaty feet completely? Other than DIY methods, you can also seek medical help as well. Furthermore, research has shown that consuming excessive coffee might have negative effects on the eccrine glands. Excessive sweat in the feet also places you at a risk of a fungal complication referred to as Tinea Pedis.
Why Do Feet Sweat
Anyone can suffer from the complication of sweaty feet, regardless of the time of day, or the temperature. That said, teenagers and pregnant women are prone to the condition, mainly due to their inconsistent hormonal patterns. You are also likely to get unusual foot sweat if you are active all day, or if you are perhaps under a lot of stress. Furthermore, if you also have hyperhidrosis, you will also experience unprecedented levels of sweat. The leading cause of smelly feet, thus, occurs when the feet get sweaty, and sweat spreads to surrounding areas such as the socks and feet.
Such conditions can cause the foot area to get damp, which are conditions that promote the development of bacteria. The bacteria will breed increasingly when you take your shoes off – and the effects increase when you place the feet in poorly lit conditions. Such shoes need thorough cleaning with a powerful antiseptic to eliminate the bacteria and to give the shoe a fresh scent.
Top Hacks for Smelly Feet
The standard techniques for addressing smelly feet include:
While smelly feet might not necessarily much of a health threat, they can lead to various other secondary complications. Smelly feet can affect your ability to engage in social environments, especially if you have to move indoors and remove shoes. Medically referred to as bromodosis, stinky feet are a common foot health complication. Various factors, such as lack of proper hygiene, can easily exacerbate the problem.
Clean the Feet Correctly
You might think that a simple shower should be sufficient to clean the feet. That said, to keep your feet smelling pleasant, consider starting with a thorough cleaning regimen – and most people do it wrong. To address foot odor complications, clean for feet daily by using antibacterial soap daily. Then, dry the feet thoroughly after you shower, and pay keen attention to the spaces in between the toes. This is the section where moisture accumulates. For additional protection, spray your feet by using an over-the-counter spray powder. Using the powder helps to ensure the feet stay clean every day.
Explore the Wonderful World of Foot Antiperspirants
Yes, that`s right! Antiperspirants are not only suitable for funky armpits, but they also work well for treating smell feet. However, antiperspirants are only appropriate when used as part of a collective treatment process for smelly feet. There are various appropriate DIY treatments for hyperhidrosis, which can include antiperspirants. Usually, the antiperspirants for the feet contain compounds, that help to address the effects of sweating. The common brands for smelly feet include Sweatblock and Klima. The benefit of these antiperspirants is that they often come with unique scents such as Lavender.
Consider Suitable Home Remedies
There are various types of home remedies such as tea soaks, salt baths, and vinegar, which are beneficial as a part of your foot care regimen. That said, these are only effective for reducing the foot odor at the time when you use them. With that in mind, consider these additional suggestions for temporary relief:
- Vinegar baths – consider soaking your feet daily in some vinegar and water. Vinegar is a strong acid, and water helps to reduce some of the concentration levels. Using vinegar and water helps to control the occurrence of bacteria that might lead to odor.
- Tea soaks – tea soaks are not only useful for your wellbeing, but they are also effective home remedies. The ideal recommendation is to use an average of 4 to 5 tea bags of water. Then, let the mixture cool and soak your feet for a few minutes each day.
- Use salt washes – pour half a cup of kosher salt in 4 cups of water, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then let it dry and clean using a cloth. Even more, you can use Epsom salts which are useful.
- Powders – using baby powder, corn starch, or even baking soda are all effective at absorbing any moisture that accumulates around the feet.
Use The Proper Socks and Shoes
Once you have addressed foot odor complications, the next step is to get a good pair of socks. To prevent any stinky feet complications, consider investing in shoes or socks made using materials that offer optimal ventilation. The synthetic materials offer minimal ventilation when compared to natural materials. Thus, materials such as nylon and polyester are likely to increase the sweating levels in your feet. On the contrary, natural materials such as cotton and wool tend to provide high levels of ventilation.
As far as shoes go, put on shoes made using well-ventilated materials such as canvas or leather. The material provides enhanced perspiration benefits, and they work well with inserts. Over-the-counter, insoles are sometimes manufactured using charcoal. The charcoal helps to reduce the development of bacteria.
Oh, and remember to never ever go without socks. Putting on the shoes without socks can also lead to the accumulation of bacteria and sweat. These will then turn into infections when you don’t apply the proper treatment.
Let`s Remember Proper Hygiene
Needless to stay, keeping your socks clean is vital in preventing the accumulation of moisture or dead skin. Sometimes, you will have to change them more than once – particularly if you feel sweaty or it’s sunny outside. Also, consider keeping a large store of socks that you will use as replacements when your socks get damaged. Any, holes or strips of wool on your socks are not acceptable if you want to address smelly feet.
Shoes are somewhat different. Get shoes that are simple to clean and can provide optimal ventilation. More so, ensure that you rotate your shoes daily, and air out any shoes that you wear daily as well. Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row – especially if you have an active day to day schedule. Furthermore, similar to socks, shoes that are worn out or damaged in any way are not suitable if you want to stop smelly feet.
Look for Shoe Products that Kill Odor
In some cases, consider sprays, powders, and various other types of cedar chips to ensure the feet stay fresh. None of these products are wrong. Furthermore, you can invest in an antibacterial spray or a foot powder that will absorb the odor within your shoes. You can also consider using baking powder, baby powder, and more, which help to keep your feet stench-free. Some people with hyperhidrosis have also had success with antiperspirants, which help to control issues such as funky feet.
When to See a Doctor
In some cases, foot odor can be persistent that you might have to visit a medical health professional. If the techniques mentioned before are not productive, then a podiatrist or dermatologist who provide a stronger antifungal medication would be suitable. In some cases, a funky smell can be a telltale sign of a much more significant complication. This is particularly true for an individual with a health complication that affects the performance of the immune system.
It is also essential that you evaluate the feet for any form of wounds, that might get infected or might be the cause of the problem. For people who find it difficult to share a room full of people, especially after a long and hard day at work, then visit a podiatrist. Yes, that`s right! Smelly feet are capable of clearing an entire room full of people.
People with diabetes should also be keen to evaluate the feet for odor complications. If you have diabetes, then consulting with a doctor at the first sign of odor, might be an excellent solution for the complication. The bacterial and fungal complications can increase significantly, particularly with people who have diabetes.
Preventing Smelly Feet
Keeping the feet fresh and sweet-smelling relates to personal hygiene and investing in the proper footwear. To keep your feet fresh, consider the following:
- Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes for several days. Instead, put on different shoes and clean the interior sections thoroughly. Consider investing in a separate pair of shoes for different days for the best results.
- If you have teenage children, ensure that they have sufficient access to clean clothes and the proper hygiene regimen. Also, pregnant women have to consider wearing open shoes or proper socks. Both women and adolescents experience significant hormonal imbalances which can lead to smelly feet.
- Wash your feet every day, and change your socks as well. Use the proper foot care techniques, and evaluate the feet as well. Similarly, ensure that you choose wool or cotton socks for the best results.
- Maintain short nails and keep them clean at all times. Long nails can harbor germs and bacteria, which can lead to smelly feet. Consider going for a pedicure every once in a while
For those who have sweaty feet, consider the following techniques:
- Use cotton wool to clean in between the toes using surgical spirit or some vinegar. Using such products helps to clean any accumulated bacteria or fungi that might lead to smelly feet.
- Use an antiperspirant or deodorant on the feet. A regular antiperspirant should work well, and it offers a reliable technique for toe care. Apply a small amount of the antiperspirant all over the leg, after a proper shower.
- Try feet fresh socks – in some sports, socks ventilation panels help to maintain the dryness of the feet. More so, antibacterial socks are incorporated with chemicals to reduce the occurrence of odor-producing bacteria.
- Invest in well ventilated shoes – even if you are inclined to wear professional attire such as army boots, you can still get shoes with proper ventilation. Also, consider shoes that have materials that are less likely to retain heat, which might cause excessive sweating.
Summing It All Up
While smelly feet are a common foot health complication, they are simple to address with the proper foot care techniques. Smelly feet, can compromise your social lifestyle, and even make a bad impression on your peers. Thus, if you don’t want to clear a room with your presence each time, its best that you take good care of your feet.
The common causes of foot care include an imbalance in body hormones, fungi accumulation, lack of proper hygiene, and more. Furthermore, people who are prone to issues such as excessive sweating are also prone to the problem of smelly feet. Thus, it’s essential to apply the proper techniques to ensure that your feet stay and smell fresh at all times. With a proper foot care regimen, you can easily manage the problem and enjoy a normal lifestyle.
0 comments