Foot Odor Home Remedies

Video Transcript

"Hi I'm Trina Sims of Green Star Herbs and today I am going to give you some ideas for home remedies for foot odor. Foot odor is caused by bacteria thriving in dark damp enclosures or shoes. The very first recommendation I'll make is to change your shoes on at least a daily basis. Synthetic materials, rubberized or plastic shoes will make the problem worse. Also synthetic socks aren't advisable. You'll do much much better in cotton or other natural fibered socks. They allow the skin to breath and help really absorb some of that dampness. One of the things you can do for ongoing foot odor problems is make sure you are getting enough zinc in your diet. Zinc helps the skin be more resistant to the bacteria that flourishes in damp dark environments. You may want to get into the habit of soaking your feet on a regular basis at least once a week maybe even three times a week. You can do this in a solution of warm water with apple cider vinegar or Epsom salts or lemon juice or even some very very very strong tea. Now keep in mind if you are going to use really strong tea and you have very light skin you may find that your feet may have a little bit of color from that tea so you might be advisable to choose one of the other solutions. Now into any of those foot baths you can go ahead and add a little, a few drops of one of several essential oils. Tea tree is a good choice. It is a broad range anti bacterial. So is lavender, if you happen to prefer that aroma. Something like cedar wood or pine will also be very effective in helping control that foot odor long term, soak your feet for 20 to 30 minutes then use something to scrub off that softened dead skin. That can be something as simple as a plain old plastic kitchen scrubber of course don't use a metal one or a foot brush which is available in most grocery stores and all drug stores or something a little more directed to that purpose like a scrubby glove or a loofah, anything that gives you a little soft but effective abrasion and removes that dead skin. You'll want to lightly moisturize the skin of your feet after that to help keep that skin in good condition and prevent cracking in places where that bacteria can lodge. Dry your feet very carefully before moisturizing, lightly moisturize then clip your toenails short, get in the habit as well of exposing your feet on a regular basis to fresh air and sunlight. If you are concerned about getting too much sun sit in the shade and let your tootsies enjoy a nice sun bath for a few minutes several times a week. Well I hope this gives you some pleasant ideas about the way to tackle the unpleasant problem of foot odor. Thank you."