Foot Odor Remedies

There is nothing worse than taking off your shoes to try on a new pair in the store, and notice the other patrons in the store sniffing and pulling their faces.

Luckily though, there are a few remedies you can do at home to help minimize and sometimes even completely remove foot odor.

As they say, prevention is always better than cure and as silly as this may sound, make sure you always wash your feet thoroughly. A lot of people neglect scrubbing their feet in the bath or shower — plain water just is not going to get rid of the germs that cause foot odor. Scrub your feet gently with an antibacterial soap and use a soft brush. Don't forget to clean the spaces in between the toes as well.

It is also vitally important to dry your feet thoroughly before slipping them into your shoes or socks. If you commonly suffer with sweaty feet, ensuring that your feet are bone dry before putting your shoes on, will make a huge difference.

Just like you spray deodorant or antiperspirants under your arms, try to follow the same routine with your feet. There are many foot deodorants and roll-ons available at your local supermarket. Remember, if you suffer from sweaty feet, try to find a foot odor spray that is antiperspirant, as it will assist in preventing sweat forming.

Powdering your feet and toes after showering can also help to reduce the smell caused by sweating. You can either use baby powder or cornstarch for a natural remedy. Powdering is a good option, especially for women who don't wear socks or stockings with their shoes. When your foot is in direct contact with your shoe, its more susceptible to sweating as the oxygen can't flow freely.

Speaking of shoes, the shoe you wear can sometimes make matters better or worse for your foot odor. Genuine leather is always the best shoe to go for if you suffer from smelly feet. Genuine leather allows your feet to breathe, while manmade materials and plastic shoes restrict the flow of ventilation to the foot, resulting in sweaty, foul smelling feet.

The socks you wear you can also contribute to sweaty feet. If you suffer from sweaty feet, ensure you always, always, always wear socks that are made of natural fibers such as 100 percent pure cotton socks. Avoid socks with polyester fibers, as these will only make your feet smell worse. If you play sport or engage in physical activity, change your socks before and after the event. Don't wear the same smelly socks after you've sweated in them.

If you've done just about everything humanly possible to prevent foul smelling feet and you just can't succeed in eliminating the smell, try these alternative remedies at home:

• Soak your feet in Bicarbonate of Soda. Bicarbonate of Soda makes the foot more acidic than it usually is. This chemical adjustment can help to prevent the amount of odor produced by your feet. Mix a little bicarbonate of soda with water and let your feet soak in it for a few minutes.

• Vinegar, especially Apple Cider Vinegar is another natural remedy that makes the feet more acidic. Therefore, soaking your feet in a bit of vinegar that has been diluted with water can help to prevent foot odor.

• Tannin, an ingredient found in tea, is a well-known drying agent. Try soaking your feet in a solution consisting of about five boiled teabags and water. This soak solution can help to prevent the level of sweat produced by your feet.

Stress and anxiety are also common causes of excessive sweating, which can result in foul smelling feet. If you're commonly in stressful situations or under a lot of stress at work, try to wear the correct shoe, and always wash and dry your feet thoroughly after showering to prevent foul smelling feet. Whenever possible, allow your feet to be bare. For example, take off you shoes and socks after work when you're at home watching television.

Stress on the foot can also cause sweaty feet. If your job involves a lot of standing, try to take regular breaks with your feet up and again, always wear the right shoes and socks.

Author: Dimi Ingle
Copyright 2008: Remedium. This article may not be copied, in whole or in part, without the written consent of Remedium.