What Causes foot odor?
The main cause of foot odor is foot sweat. Sweat itself is odorless, but it produces a perfect setting for certain bacteria to grow and produce bad-smelling substances. Foot odor is also the result of wearing shoes such as work boots and/or socks for many hours with inadequate air ventilation. Since human feet are heavily covered with sweat glands, perspiration of the feet can join with surface bacteria to produce odor.
How to avoid foot odor
Wash your feet well enough to remove the offending bacteria but not so often that you remove all the protective oils from your skin. For tough foot odor, you may need to bathe your feet several times a day. However, if you notice that your feet are becoming flaky and cracked, reduce the number of washings. Soaking your feet with table salt or Epsom salts in warm water for about ten minutes will help decrease foot odor. After soaking, don’t rinse your feet, just dry them thoroughly.
A very successful way to avoid foot odor is with sodium bicarbonate also generally known as baking soda. Use a few pinches of baking soda on each foot, the socks and the insoles of your work boots daily to abate the odor. It may take a couple of days before the work boots completely lose their smell.
The ordinary deodorant or antiperspirant that you use under your arms can be used on your feet, too. Deodorants contain antibacterial agents that can kill bacteria — they won’t stop the sweat, but they will end the odor.
Wear socks of any color that let your feet breathe in air. Some people find that materials such as cotton or wool are best, but select the best fabric for you. When possible, change your socks at least once during the day, and don’t wear the identical pair of socks two days in a row without washing them.
For everyday wear select open shoes such as sandals whenever possible, because they allow air onto the feet, which helps evaporate sweat. If sandals aren’t an option, choose leather work boots or shoes or canvas shoes, which breathe a bit, and stay away from work boots that are lined with solid rubber or synthetic materials.
Washing your sneakers is a good way to help escape foot odor. Some sneakers or canvas shoes can go right in the washing machine. Let them air-dry rather than using the dryer, be sure to verify your labels. Sprinkle the inside of your shoes or work boots with cornstarch to help absorb moisture and keep your feet drier.
Finally, try airing out your shoes and work boots. If you can, change shoes on a daily basis so that you don’t wear the identical pair of shoes two days in a row. Let the pair that you are not wearing air-out, outside in the sun making sure that you pull up the tongue and loosen the laces.
