What are the Treatments for Smelly Feet?
The stench of sour, rancid, dirty feet can be extremely unpleasant. It's the type of problem that is hard to hide, especially the first few minutes after you remove your shoes. The smell is caused by sweat and bacteria from the feet. This sweat and bacteria soaks into socks, shoes and the dead skin on your feet creating a strong odor in the process. Treatments for smelly feet include proper washing, exfoliating, drying, powdering and sometimes medication. Does this Spark an idea?
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Washing
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It's important to clean your feet regularly to remove the build-up of sweat and bacteria. You need to use an anti-bacterial soap to scrub the entire foot. Make sure to get between and under your toes, where sweat can gather. Rinse your feet well with warm water. If your smelly foot problem is severe, try soaking your feet in a solution of water and vinegar for about 10 minutes after washing them. The vinegar will help kill bacteria and restore proper pH levels to your skin.
Exfoliating
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Exfoliating your feet may seem like a purely cosmetic pursuit, but it can have a powerful effect on foot odor. Dry, dead skin can absorb the stinky sweat from your feet, making the odor even stronger. To prevent this extra stench, you need to rid your feet of dead skin. Use a foot scrub or pumice stone to gently buff away calluses, especially around the heel and big toe. Rinse your feet with warm water after exfoliating.
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Drying
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Drying your feet properly after they have been cleansed is important to help keep your feet free from sweat. You want to use a thick towel to scrub the feet dry, paying special attention to the areas between the toes. Once your feet seem dry, allow at least five minutes before you cover them with socks or shoes. This gives your feet time to air dry completely.
Powdering
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If your lifestyle requires you to wear socks and closed shoes for most of the day, you can develop a constant problem with foot odor. One way to combat this problem is to keep your feet as dry as possible. There are many powders that help, from medicated foot powders to baking soda. Just sprinkle the powder across each foot, making sure both the top and bottom are covered. Slip on your socks and shoes and your feet will remain drier than usual.
Medication
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Severe problems with foot odor can sometimes need medical intervention, especially if the odor caused by health condition. Foot odor can often be related to athlete's foot, a type of fungal infection. You may need anti-fungal powders, creams or pills to help combat the infection. If you experience symptoms of athlete's foot, such as itching, stinging and flaky skin on the feet, consult your doctor.
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