Get Rid of Smelly Feet

If there's one thing that provokes annoyance in people, it's when someone walks into the room, takes off his/her shoe, and this stench oozes out of it. It's so irritating and annoying.

Smelly feet, like snoring, is another real factor that causes dispute in the home, between spouses. You don't want little things like this to ruin your good mood, do you?

Smelly feet, medically called BROMODOSIS, is caused by foot sweat. The feet have more sweat glands than any other part of the body. These glands release sweat regularly throughout the day to keep the skin moist and supple.

Sweat itself is odorless, but it creates a beneficial environment for certain bacteria to grow and produce bad-smelling substances.

These bacteria are naturally present on our skin as part of the human flora. The front part of the foot is where it produces the most sweat. Therefore, more smell is created with factors causing more sweating, such as wearing shoes with inadequate air, ventilation for many hours.

Socks generally do not cause foot odor on their own, but when worn along with shoes, socks can help to trap the hair on the feet, especially on the toes, may contribute to the odor's intensity by adding increased surface area in
which the bacteria can thrive.

Also, wearing certain types of shoes and socks, or wearing the same pair too frequently, can contribute to smelly feet.

                                     HOW TO PREVENT IT. . .

Preventing smelly doesn't cost you much. Smelly feet can usually be improved with some simple self-care measures that can help to keep your feet clean and dry.

One of the best ways to prevent the bacteria multiplying is to practise good foot hygiene, such as:

• Washing your feet every day with mild soap and a scrubbing brush, before drying them thoroughly (especially between the toes).

• Keeping your toenails short and clean.

• Checking the soles of your feet for hard, dead skin and removing it with a foot file.

• Hard skin can become soggy when damp, which provides an ideal home for bacteria.

• Change your socks at least once a day.

• Try to alternate between different pairs of shoes every day, so each pair can dry out for 24 hours before being worn again. Remove insoles to help the drying process.

• Wear socks that will absorb the moisture, such as thick, soft socks made of natural fibres or socks specially designed to absorb moisture (such as feet-fresh socks and certain sports socks).

• Wear shoes made of leather, canvas or mesh and not synthetic material, such as plastic.

• Avoid wearing tight-fitting shoes. Consider wearing open-toed sandals in summer and going barefoot at home in the evenings.

There are also certain products can also help to treat smelly feet. You may wish to try some of the methods below:

• Dab your feet with cotton wool dipped in surgical spirit every night to help dry out the skin, taking care to avoid any cracks in the skin.

• Use an antifungal foot spray or medicated foot powder on your feet.

• Use medicated insoles, which act as a deodorant, inside your shoes.

• Antiperspirant sprays used for underarms can also be effective on the feet.

• There are a wide variety of antifungal and antibacterial soaps (such as Hibiscrub) made especially for feet available over the counter at your local pharmacy.

If all efforts to get rid of smelly feet fails, it is best advised to see your doctor.

REFERENCES:
WIKIPEDIA
NHS