How to Solve Smelly Feet & Shoes
Smelly feet and shoes are caused from an excess of bacteria that feed on perspiration. It is also the result of the feet being improperly ventilated for several hours. The odor of smelly feet often is described as having an unpleasant, cheesy quality. Brevibacteria, the bacteria responsible for giving cheeses such as Limburger and Muenster their particular pungency, are major causes of foot odor. They feed on dead skin typically found on soles and between the toes. "Odor-eaters" and other such insoles might temporarily assist in the deodorization of shoes and feet but do not get at the source of the issue. Proper hygiene can help to more effectively solve smelly feet problems.
Things You'll Need
- Antibacterial soap
- Wash rag or body scrub
- Cotton socks
- Foot powder
- 2 teabags of black tea
- 2 cups of boiling water
- 2 quarts of cool water
- 5 percent or 10 percent Benzoyl Peroxide Gel
Instructions
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Wash feet daily with antibacterial soap. Maintaining clean feet is the first step toward eliminating odor. Be sure to scrub with a washcloth or body brush to remove the dead skin, which otherwise would get fed on by bacteria. Clean the area between the toes thoroughly. After this is done, be sure to dry all areas of the feet completely.
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Drink two liters of water daily and take vitamins. Water consumption helps purify the body and remove toxins, some of which may contribute to foot odor. Also, some experts believe that foot odor might also be indicative of a deficiency of the mineral zinc. This particular mineral can be obtained separately or within a multivitamin such as Centrum.
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Wear cotton socks. Socks made of synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon often cause more perspiration, which aggravates the condition. Socks made for an all-natural material such as cotton allow the feet to breathe more freely. Change socks daily. Add additional changes when exercising.
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Rotate the shoes you wear. Alternating shoes and allowing them adequate time to air out is essential in solving the issue of smelly shoes.
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Apply foot powder to the feet. Sprinkling some talcum powder or medicated commercial foot powder (i.e. Gold Bond) onto the toes of the socks might help keep feet dry, which would therefore limit bacteria growth and odor.
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Soak feet daily in black tea and cool water for 20 to 30 minutes. Black tea contains tannins, defensive compounds that fight bacteria and fungi by obstructing the functions of their surface proteins. Some people believe this has deodorizing effects and that it also helps to temporarily inhibit the sweat glands.
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Apply 5 percent or 10 percent Benzoyl Peroxide Gel to the feet. An application of this gel to the feet, if none of the aforementioned methods work, might help decrease the growth of bacteria.
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Tips & Warnings
For more severe problems, prescription medication, electrode therapy and botulism injections are among other solutions available. Please consult your podiatrist to determine the best course of treatment.
