Foot odor can be embarrassing at times especially when you are out with your relatives and friends. Our skin is a home for millions and trillions of microorganisms which get attracted due to sweating. This phenomenon of stinky feet is also known as Bromhidrosis, in which the feet sweat continuously and couldn’t get evaporated due to less air flow. So, the bacteria present on the skin spreads across the feet and feeds on the sweat and on the dead skin cells leading to a strong pungent smell.
Our feet smell the most during the summer season as we sweat profusely during this period and when we wear shoes the air flow is negligible around the feet. So, here are some of the natural remedies that can reduce the formation and growth of these bacteria thus reducing foot odor easily at home.
10 HOME REMEDIES TO GET RID OF FOOT ODOR
- Alum Treatment
Alum (Also known as, Aluminum Sulphate) is often used as a natural aftershave agent and is a great natural antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiseptic agent. It helps in reducing the foot smell as it can kill the bacteria located on the skin and make the skin dry and healthy. To get started, take a small tub of warm water which can accommodate both your feet together and add 4-5 spoons of alum powder and mix it thoroughly. Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes and apply dry alum powder to the feet. Repeat it once a week for best results.
- Baking Soda
Baking Soda, also known as Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate is yet another great natural remedy to control foot odor. This is because it is alkaline in nature and makes the skin unfavorable for bacterial growth. Baking soda works like that of an astringent, which helps in keeping the foot free from sweat and bacteria. Add 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda to a mug of water and wash your feet or else add 4-5 tablespoons of the same to a tub of warm water and soak your feet for 20-30 minutes let your feet dry. Repeat it once in 2 days for best results.
- Diet
Diet also matters when it comes to controlling the body and foot odor. Foods such as Red meat and Junk foods gets digested within the intestines with little residue remaining. The amino acids located in the intestines breaks down the residue which further gets mixed in the blood stream and come out as sweat. This mixture attracts bacteria and promotes the growth of fungus and other microbial on the skin. Even intake of vegetables such as Garlic and Onions must be reduced as they primarily contain Sulphur which is one of the primary reasons for smelly feet.
- Mind the footwear
Inappropriate footwear also leads to smelly feet and bad body odor. It is essential that you always wear cotton socks instead of Nylon or synthetic clothing. This is because cotton absorbs the sweat coming out of the feet whereas nylon and other materials trap the sweat attracting more bacteria leading to pungent foot odor. Try to change the shoes once in a while as the soles present in the shoes also soak your sweat and repeated wearing can worsen the smell. Try to wear leather or sports shoes instead of any synthetic leather.
- Epsom Salt Water Treatment
Epsom Salt water treatment can help in keeping the skin dry and healthy and also neutralizes the foot odor to a great extent. Alternatively, one can also use common salt or Kosher Salt instead of Epsom salt as they have a similar effect on the skin. These salts are also known to kill the bacterial colonies on the skin and make the skin unfavorable for bacterial or fungal growth. Add 2-3 tablespoons of Epsom/Kosher/Common salt to a tub of warm water and mix it thoroughly till it dissolves. Soak your feet every day for 20 minutes for best results.
- Personal Hygiene
It is also important to maintain personal hygiene in order to get rid of smelly feet. It is important that you scrub your feet often as it removes the dead skin cells on the skin reducing the chances of bacteria feeding on them. Also, make sure that whenever you are wearing shoes or socks, your feet are not wet or moist as it accelerates the foot odor quickly. Wash your feet regularly and properly especially between the fingers. You can also rub half cut lemon directly on your feet once in a week for best results.
- Lemon Soak Treatment
Lemon a medicine to almost all of our skin related issues including foot odor. They are astringent, as they shrink the sweat pores and nourish the skin well. Whereas, the Citric acid present in lemon destroys the bacteria on the skin. They are also known for their pleasant smell and reduce the pungent effectively. Take 5-6 tablespoons of baking soda and add 3-4 tablespoons of pure lemon juice to it. Make a paste out of it and apply this paste between your fingers where it sweats more. Wash after 30 minutes and repeat it twice a week.
- Lemon Tea Treatment
Lemon Tea treatment is a great natural and effective way to get rid of smelly feet. This is because, as mentioned above lemon works as a natural deodorant and are astringent in nature. They also kill the bacteria present on the skin and nurture the skin. All you need to do is, take 2-3 lemon tea bags and soak them for 10 minutes in a tub of warm water. Now, put you feet in the tub for 20-30 minutes and relax. This remedy reduces the pungent smell and prevents the foot odor from returning. Repeat this 2-3 times a week for best results.
- Vinegar Treatment
Vinegar is one of the greatest known remedies get rid of stinky feet. This is because Vinegar contains 5% Acetic acid making the growth of bacteria on the skin difficult. Though this acid is diluted, hence don’t have side effects on the skin. Further, they make the skin dry and healthy making the bacteria starve to death and keeping foot odor at bay. All you need to do is, take half a cup of vinegar and add it to the tub of warm water. Mix it properly and soak you feet for half an hour and wash your feet properly. Repeat this remedy 2-3 times a week for best results.
- Aloe Vera Gel Treatment
Aloe Vera is one of the oldest medicines known to the mankind since the inception of the Ayurveda in the Indus Valley Civilization. Aloe Vera has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that kill the bacteria and destroy the bacterial colonies located on the skin. Other than that it also has antiseptic properties and can be applied on the wounds. Apply Aloe Vera juice directly on your feet especially between your fingers where the sweat gets trapped. Make sure to wash your feet before applying. Apply it once a week for best results.
[Also Read: 7 Indian Salads that can help you lose weight]
Image Credits: I Spy Physiology Blog, Pintrest, www.drweil.com
