How to Prevent Smelly feet in 5 Minutes

How to Prevent Smelly feet in 5 Minutes

7197

Smelly feet can cause embarrassment, even in front of your visitors. But there are many ways to prevent the bad odour from disturbing your peace now and then.

What causes sweaty and smelly feet?

The function of sweat glands is to keep the skin moist and therefore supple, and to regulate temperature when the weather is hot or while you are exercising. There are more sweat glands in our feet than anywhere else in the body. However, unlike sweat glands elsewhere in the body, the sweat glands in the feet secrete all the time, not just in response to heat or exercise.

Feet smell when bacteria on the skin break down sweat as it comes from the pores. A cheesy smell is released as the sweat decomposes.

The main causes of sweaty and smelly feet are:

  • Wearing the same shoes every day. Feet become smelly if sweat soaks into the shoes and you wear them again before they are dry.
  • Poor personal hygiene.
  • Hormonal changes can cause feet to sweat more, so teenagers and pregnant women are especially prone.
  • If you are stressed.
  • A condition called hyperhidrosis, which causes you to sweat more than usual.

How to prevent smelly feet

The first step is to avoid wearing the same shoes regularly. It’s advisable not to wear the same shoes twice.Also, make sure you wear sock as they prevent sweating of the feet.

You should also avoid wearing socks more than two consecutive days.

If you’re particularly prone to sweaty feet, you could:

Use a spray deodorant or antiperspirant on your feet. A normal underarm one will work just as well as a specialist foot product.

When you have dried your feet with a towel after a shower or bath, dab between your toes with cotton wool dipped in surgical spirit.

Put detachable medicated insoles in your shoes. These have a deodorising effect.

Try foot-fresh socks. These are impregnated with chemicals to discourage the bacteria that break down the sweat and cause a smell. Some sports socks have ventilating panels to help keep feet dry.

Wear leather or canvas shoes. In the summer, wear open-toed sandals. Go barefoot at home if you can safely.

Sweaty feet can be treated with an antibacterial foot scrub, but avoid using these scrubs if you have broken skin or eczema.

These steps to prevent sweaty and smelly feet will usually help. If they don’t, or you are worried about how much you sweat, seek medical advice.

Athlete’s foot can also cause your feet to smell. You can treat this yourself with antifungal treatment available from a pharmacy. Seek medical advice if you’re concerned or if the problem is not clearing up.

Another effective method to employ is to use peeled onions. Before you sleep, make sure you wrap peeled onion around your socks. The smell from the onion will kill the bacteria that is the cause of smelly feet.