Most of us have at some time or another been embarrassed (or knocked out!) by our own foot odor. According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, foot odor is common in both adults and children. The odor is often caused by bacteria or fungus that grows in a person's shoes and attaches to his or her skin. This is why hygiene is most important to preventing stinky feet.
However, it sometimes seems that no matter how clean we keep our feet, they still smell. In addition to washing your feet with soap and water daily and wearing clean, dry socks, there are a number of miraculous home remedies that can prevent and treat foot odor. Many of these life hacks also target sweaty feet, which usually accompanies foot odor.
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1. Tea soak. Some of the most effective home remedies for foot odor include foot soaks or baths. The acid in black tea will close your pores and reduce the amount of sweat, preventing foot odor. Black tea is also a powerful antioxidant, meaning it is effective in killing the odor-causing bacteria. Men's Health recommends pour a pint of boiling water over two black tea bags and letting the tea simmer for 15 minutes. Add two quarts of cool water and pour the solution into a foot bath. Let your feet relax in the bacteria-killing bath for 30 minutes.
2. Saltwater soak. According to Men's Health, salt pulls moisture out of the skin, making it a toxic environment for bacteria. Al D'Angelantonio III, DPM, podiatrist and assistant professor of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania recommends dissolving a cup of kosher salt in a large bowl of warm warm water and soaking your feet in the solution for twenty minutes every day for two weeks.
3. Vinegar soak. Vinegar dries out your feet and starves bacteria, reports Men's Health. To make a bacteria-killing foot bath, mix one part vinegar with two parts water in a foot bath. Soak your feet for thirty minutes to attack foot odor.
4. Baking soda and lemon soak. Baking soda is known to kill bacteria, control odor, and soften feet, while lemon tackles excessive sweating. Enki Village recommends making a refreshing foot bath from 1/4 cup baking soda, one lemon, and eight cups of water.
5. Sage and rosemary soak. This savory smelling soak is antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal. Everyday Roots recommends mixing one teaspoon of dried rosemary and one to two teaspoons of dried sage in a foot bath filled with boiling water. Once the water has cooled but is still hot, soak your feet for thirty minutes.
6. Ginger root massage. Ginger root can stop bacteria from growing and remove stinky toxins, says Enki Village. To give yourself a ginger massage, puree a medium sized piece of ginger. Steep the puree in hot water for 15 minutes and then strain the solution using a coffee filter. Massage your feet with the compound every single night before bed for two weeks to treat recurrent foot odor.
7. Corn starch. Surprisingly, corn starch is a miracle worker when it comes to absorbing moisture. Simple sprinkle some in your shoes, put on your shoes, and go about your day odor-free, says Men's Health.
8. Lysol. Men's Health recommends spraying the inside of your shoes with Lysol Disinfectant Spray to kill odor-causing bacteria living in your shoes. The best course of treatment is to spray Lysol in your shoes and then to spray the disinfectant spray on clean socks. Stuff the socks in your shoes and leave them overnight. This will allow the Lysol to completely soak into the shoe and prevent bacteria from growing.
Don't let stinky feet ruin your day! Spray your shoes with Lysol and line them with corn starch. Before bed tonight, try one of these soothing foot baths. Not only will you attack bacteria and treat foot odor at the source, but you will also give yourself time to chill out and relax.
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