Smelling feet..how to get rid of them?
Smelling feet, smelly feet, or stinking feet, whatever you call them, bring a great deal of embarrassment and uneasiness to you and those around you. Talking about smelling feet, I can hear Phoebe’s most famous song “Smelly Cat” ringing in my head. Listen to it and cherish the blast from the past.
Now coming back to smelling feet, are your feet smelling like vinegar or ammonia? What is the reason behind it and how can we get rid of it?
Do you want to know? Okay, I can see a few nods out there!
So, let’s plunge straight into getting to know smelling feet in detail and eradicate them in no time.
Bromodosis
Smelling feet is quite a common issue for both children and adults. There is a medical term for it called “Bromodosis”.
When sweat accumulates around the feet, bacteria start growing, resulting in a distinctive odor. This is the reason that leads to foul-smelling feet. Fungal infections, like athlete’s foot, can also lead to bromodosis.
But cheer up!! The bright side to it is that if you follow religiously a foot care ritual, you will be able to get rid of smelling feet in a week.
Why do I have smelling feet?
In comparison with the rest of the body, our feet sweat the most in order to keep the body cool.
Who is the most prone to smelling feet?
- Pregnant ladies and teenagers sweat the most due to hormonal changes.
- If your job demands you to stand all day long, you ought to sweat more than the rest people.
- Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which a person sweats profusely, irrespective of weather or season.
- Wearing tight shoes, getting nervous, or being under stress also contributes to sweating. Which causes stinky feet.
Why do my feet smell like vinegar or ammonia?
The bacteria which are present on your feet are the sole reason for your feet smelling like vinegar, ammonia, or rotten egg. The propionic bacteria break down the sweat into propionic acid. Which is from the acetic acid family and acetic acid is vinegar. Hence the foul smell. Vinegar is loved as a salad dressing, in marinades, or in soups but nobody wants to smell like it.
How to get rid of smelling feet with home remedies?
Do go through the 7 Ultimate Household Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
In order to get rid of smelly feet at home, one can do a few simple things and they will be free from the “stinking feet embarrassment” in no time!!:)
1. The habit of keeping the feet clean and dry
- Make it a habit to wash and dry your feet, even if you are out for only a few minutes, or after a long day outdoors.
- Wash your feet with warm water and soap.
- Use a pumice stone to clear off any rough edges under the feet.
- Keep the nails trimmed. As the bacteria can use as a breeding ground, the nail bed.
- Give special attention to cleaning the sides of the toes.
2. Occasionally soak your feet
To kill off any bacteria, soak your feet for 20 to 30 minutes in a warm water bath with a few drops of vinegar. Not only it will eradicate the awful stench-producing bacteria, but will also help you relax.
3. Air-dry your shoes
Let your everyday or workout shoes air dry completely, then place them in the shoe rack. Placing them under the sun will also help in killing the stinky smell-causing bacteria.
4. Choose your shoes and socks wisely
- Do not use synthetic shoes and socks.
- Use shoes made up of pure leather, athletic mesh footwear, or ones that are medically approved.
- Use socks made up of 100% cotton.
- Let your feet breathe.
5. Alternate between different pairs of shoes
Not only air drying the shoes completely will help to get rid of smelly feet. But also alternating between different pairs of shoes also works well to keep the foot odor at bay.
6. Wash your socks daily
Moreover, wash your socks daily to kill the smell-causing bacteria, and use a fresh pair of socks every day.
7. Use essential oils for stinking feet
Essential oils are antibacterial in nature and have an overpowering fragrance.
Do a patch test first, on a small skin area. If any irritation prevails, then dilute the essential oil.
8. Use powder or deodorant for smelly feet
Powder and deodorant will help in clearing off any smell and will also be helpful in absorbing sweat.
9. Use a disinfectant for smelling feet
Generously spray a household-grade disinfectant in and around the shoes and let them air dry completely, before wearing the shoes.
When to see a doctor for smelly feet?
After following all the above-mentioned methods for keeping your feet smell and sweat-free. Still, you experience an awful smell? Then it might be a rare medical condition called “Plantar Hyperhidrosis”.
In this condition, a person experiences excessive sweat without any heat or exercise. It can be because of a foot infection including an athlete’s foot or toe-nail fungus. It can also happen due to a bad choice of shoes that cause blisters.
In this case, do not fret. Book an appointment with a doctor right away. He will take your medical history, run a few tests, and will prescribe some creams or ointments. Proper use of which will make your feet free from smell.
Takeaway points for smelling feet
Bromodosis, smelling feet, smelly feet, or stinking feet are something that both children and adults face at some point in life. Due to hormonal changes, it is most common in teenagers and pregnant women.
With proper care of the feet, keeping the feet, shoes, and socks clean and dry, and a good choice of shoes and socks. One can get rid of the smelling feet. But if the problem persists due to a rare medical condition called hyperhidrosis. Then go to a doctor asap who will assist and guide you.