Unpleasant foot odor is embarrassing not only for you, but also for those in your company. Do you know this “stinky” problem? Check out our tips and put them to use so you’ll never hide your feet or be afraid to take your shoes off again!
Foot odor is a common complaint and there’s nothing shameful about it. Most often, it is the result of our bad habits, poor hygiene, poor diet, but also diseases, such as ringworm or hyperhidrosis of the feet. It is worth remembering that human sweat itself is odorless. Bad smell is caused by the multiplication of bacteria.
We present the simplest ways on what to do to prevent the formation of “smelly feet”. Here one more remark – if you see any changes suggestive of athlete’s foot or nail fungus, then necessarily consult a doctor. You can not cope with this problem alone.
Let’s start with hygiene. Wash your whole feet thoroughly every day, or even several times a day, using antibacterial soap. Then, when drying them with a towel, pay special attention to the spaces between the toes.
Before going to bed, rub lavender oil, which has an antibacterial effect, on your feet. During the day, use foot deodorant.
Remember also about your nails – they should be trimmed regularly to prevent the accumulation of fungi and bacteria.
Once in a while, soak your feet for about 15-20 minutes in warm water with additives. For such bath you can use a glass of vinegar (kills bacteria) or half a glass of bath salt (dries the skin). Black tea will also work, which also kills bacteria – just boil a few bags under a lid and soak your feet in such a strong extract.
Baking soda also has a good antibacterial, antifungal and skin softening effect. You need ¼ cup of baking soda for 8 cups of warm water. Add lemon juice, which not only gives a fresh scent, but also has an astringent effect.
Even the cleanest feet can sweat in ill-fitting footwear, which will eventually lead to a recurrence of odor. Remember that poor-quality shoes made of synthetic materials are better left on the store shelf than taken home.
Choose models made of leather, canvas or other breathable material (and in summer, sandals, flip-flops or other breathable shoes are best). Take care of each pair of shoes, replace insoles every few months (you can use special ones that absorb moisture and odors), and use antibacterial and antifungal sprays. In addition, after taking off your shoes, you can put into them odor absorbing bags. As for sports shoes, it’s best to wash them once a month.
There’s one more way to keep your feet fresh. Don’t wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. Give them time to air out and dry. It’s also good to have a change of shoes at work.
Another thing to keep in mind is socks. By no means wear those made of artificial materials – choose either 100 percent cotton (in summer) or merino wool (in winter). You can easily buy them at any sports store.
Also, always have a fresh pair of socks to change into. If you can’t wash your feet beforehand, wipe them with a damp tissue.
Why is it so important to drink plenty of water? It will help your body cleanse toxins and get rid of odor faster.
Also pay attention to your diet and lifestyle. Alcohol and cigarettes are not a good option, as well as large amounts of cauliflower, onions and garlic, which contain large amounts of sulfur.
Read also: THE MOST FASHIONABLE MODELS OF MEN’S SHOES FOR WINTER
Main photo: Samuel Silitonga/ pexels.com
