Put your best foot forward with these 6 solutions for smelly feet woes
Put your best foot forward with these 6 solutions for smelly feet woes
At least 10% of the population suffers from foot odour – more in certain types of weather. Warm weather or constantly wearing closed shoes on colder days means more sweating, more bacterial growth, and more smelly feet! This can make for an uncomfortable situation for the sufferer, and those in the vicinity when you remove your shoes. Fortunately, there are a few effective ways to prevent foot odour.
What causes smelly feet?
There are many contributing factors to malodorous feet, both environmental and personal. Here are some of the factors that could be causing your smelly feet.
· Hot weather leading to sweating
· Exercising in closed shoes or trainers
· Standing all day
· Being overweight
· Hormonal changes such as during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause
· Certain medications such as antidepressants
· Hyperhidrosis which is a condition that causes excessive sweating
These all lead to a build-up of sweat and bacteria on feet and shoes that cause a nasty smell.
Tips for treating smelly feet
1. Soak your feet
If your foot odour is a concern, try soaking your feet for 20 minutes in warm water mixed with half a cup of Epsom salt. Doing this once a week will help remove moisture from the skin, preventing bacteria from thriving. You should also wash your feet daily with soap or even better with an antibacterial soap.
2. Keep your feet and shoes dry
Bacteria that cause foot odour thrive in moisture so it’s best to keep your feet dry wherever possible. It might be worth keeping an extra pair of socks handy so you can swap them out if they get too sweaty. It is also important to air dry your shoes after taking them off and before putting them away; it is best to let them air overnight out of a cupboard. Another great option is applying a dedicated foot powder to your shoes. This is specially formulated with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal ingredients to keep your feet and shoes dry and odour-free.
3. Let your feet breathe
When you get home, remove your socks and shoes so that your feet get some fresh air. You can opt for sandals on hot days and avoid wearing closed shoes as much as your lifestyle, and the weather, will allow. Remember, however, that you mustn’t walk barefoot in communal places that are wet, such as showers in gyms.
4. Disinfect your shoes
If possible, don’t wear the same shoes for two days in a row, rather let the one pair air out while wearing another pair. You should also clean out your insoles to improve the smell and consider using a disinfectant spray to kill off any bacteria.
5. Choose the correct shoes
When selecting your shoes, remember that natural fabrics like cotton and leather breathe, whereas most synthetic materials used to make shoes will not allow your shoes to breathe, resulting in bacterial build-up. You must also ensure that your shoes fit correctly, if they’re too tight your feet are unlikely to breathe.
6. Practice good hygiene
Alongside the foot soak and antibacterial scrub, other hygiene practices can also help smelly feet. Scrubbing your feet with a pumice stone will remove dead skin cells that bacteria feed on. When cleaning, remember to scrub between the toes where bacteria love to hide. It’s also important to clean and trim your toenails – another place bacteria will take up residence.
Remember that if you can’t seem to solve the odour problem with these practices, it’s best to consult a medical professional as prescription medication might be needed.
Information provided by the publicist
