Smelly Feet Cure: At Home Remedies to Try

By Shannon Couillard

Smelly Feet Cure: At Home Remedies to Try thegearhunt.com

Are you shy about taking your shoes and socks off when you are near other people? Is the scent from your feet almost unbearable for you as well? Smelly feet can be caused by a condition known as bromhidrosis, and yes, it can be a problem that can cause some embarrassment.

Getting rid of smelly feet at home

This particular condition occurs when your feet begin to sweat, but this sweat doesn’t evaporate due to the fact that you are wearing shoes and/or socks. The bacteria that are naturally on your skin tend to grow while they are feeding on the dead skin cells and the sweat, which produces a scent that can be overpowering.

Why We Get Stinky Feet

Anyone can suffer from stinky feet regardless of the time of year. This isn’t just a condition that is present in the hot summer months. That being said, it is typically more of a common thing with teenagers and pregnant women because of the changes in their hormones that can make them sweat a bit more than usual.

People who are on their feet all day long are also prone to sweat more, as are people under too much stress.

Certain socks and shoes can increase the amount of sweat that is produced, which can make your feet remain damp when you wear them for a long time. These dark and moist conditions are ideal for the growth of bacteria. This bacterium produces something called isovaleric acid that they get from something called leucine that is present in your sweat. It is this acid that creates the odor. This scent can have varying degrees of stink depending on the actual species of the bacteria and the various chemical substances that they produce.

If you happen to suffer from something called hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), you can also develop this problem.

Not having the proper hygiene can also lead to people having stinky feet. People who might not wash their feet too often or change their socks every day are creating the ideal environment for this bacterium to grow.

There are many natural cures that are worth trying in order to rid yourself of the foot odor that can be annoying. You will need to use them religiously for a given period of time if you want good results. Most people are able to get the issue resolved in a couple of weeks.

If you don’t happen to have any talcum powder at home, you might also consider using a good antiperspirant on those stinky feet so that they will remain dry for longer periods of time.

We will now take a look at some of the more popular home remedies for stinky feet.

Baking Soda

Baking soda, aka sodium bicarbonate, is one remedy for stinky feet that is effective. It works to neutralize the acidity of sweat while reducing the bacteria.

How to use it:

In a foot basin, combine water and baking soda. You will use 1 tbsp of baking soda for each quart of water. Put your feet in it and soak them for about 20 minutes. Do this each night for a week.

You might also sprinkle a bit of baking soda right into your shoes and socks before you wear them.

Lavender Oil

This essential oil smells wonderful but is also useful when it comes to killing bacteria. Additionally, it has antifungal and antioxidant properties that can be effective when it comes to treating smelly feet.

Just fill a foot basin with warm water and sprinkle a few drops of this essential oil in it. Put your feet in and soak them for 20 minutes. Do this twice a day for up to a week,

Epsom Salt

Magnesium sulfate, aka Epsom salt, has quite a few applications that range from medicinal purposes, beauty, household, and gardening. It can also be useful when it comes to minimizing the odor from smelly feet. This is because it fights any microbial infection that might be present while also neutralizing the odor. Detoxifying foot baths using Epson salt can also be a way to soothe aching feet, or to draw out infection if you have any in your toes or toenails.

To effectively use Epsom salt for smelly feet, fill a foot basin with hot water and mix in 2 tbsp of Epsom salt. Put your feet in and soak them for a minimum of 15 minutes. If you want to achieve the best results, you might want to do this right before you go to bed so that you won’t be wearing socks and shoes for at least a few hours.

Black Tea

Black thas a tannic acid that can assist in killing the bacteria that can produce that smelly foot odor. It can also assist with closing the pores on your feet, which reduces the amount of sweat that the bacteria feed on. This is one of the most effective of the home remedies and it is also recommended by doctors.

To use this treatment, you will need to boil 2 bags of black tea in 3 cups of water. When they are done boiling, add a bit of cool water to get the temperature down to a level that is comfortable for your feet. Pour the tea into a foot basin and soak your feet in it. Do this for 20 minutes every day for a week.

Vinegar

Vinegar is also beneficial when it comes to ridding yourself of stinky feet. This is because it makes an environment that is acidic, and the bacteria can’t survive in it. You might use any sort of vinegar for this treatment, and apple cider vinegar is especially helpful.

To use this treatment, prepare a solution of 4 pints of water and ½ cup of vinegar in a foot basin. Put your feet in it and soak them for 15 minutes. When you have finished with that, thoroughly wash your feet so that they won’t smell like vinegar.

Cedarwood Oil

This is considered to be one of the very first of the essential oils that were extracted from natural sources.

Aside from it being used for aromatherapy purposes, it features antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties, and that is just a few of its properties. All of these make it an excellent remedy for smelly feet.

You can effectively use this oil when it is combined with coconut oil for amazing health-related benefits. Coconut oil includes lauric acid, and that works to kill bacteria. Additionally, it has properties that can rejuvenate your skin. This is also used as one of the base ingredients for many beauty products due to its effect lasting longer with the skin than quite a few other types of oils.

To use this remedy, you will mix 1 tbsp of virgin coconut oil with 5 drops of cedarwood oil. Once you have done that, rub it gently on your feet while massaging it in. Let it absorb for a few minutes before you put on socks or walk. Be careful when walking barefoot because this can make your feet slippery. Repeat this process once a day for a week.

Boric Acid

This is yet another remedy that is effective. It kills the bacteria that cause odor, which can eliminate the stink from your feet.

To use this remedy, just dust a bit of boric acid right onto your feet for a few days and the odor should disappear.

You might also want to mix ½ cup of vinegar and ½ cup of boric acid with 2 cups of water to make a spray for the inside of your shoes.

Sugar Scrub

Did you know that sugar has quite a few uses aside from just being used as a sweetener? Sugar can assist when it comes to removing dead skin cells. Getting rid of things like calluses and dead skin cells can also assist with eliminating foot odor because of the fact that they can contribute to the smell. Using this regularly will also assist in keeping your feet clean while preventing calluses from forming. You will be able to make a quite powerful scrub simply by following these directions.

Mix 5 parts isopropyl alcohol with 1-part water and 3 parts sugar in order to create a mixture that will be thick. Scrub your feet using this mixture for up to 10 minutes in order to get rid of those dead skin cells. Wash your feet off with clean water. Do this 3 times weekly.

For even better results, you can fill your foot basin with warm water and then soak your feet in it before you use this recipe for a sugar scrub.

Baby Powder/Talcum Powder

Another way to get rid of the stinky feet issue that is quite popular is simply by using one of these powders on your feet. These are both astringent and can assist with drying out your sweat and absorbing it.

This remedy is also quite simple. Just sprinkle the powder on your feet and in your shoes and socks generously. Do this as much as 3 times daily for a few days.

Ginger Root

This can also be a solution that is effective for stinky feet because it inhibits the growth of bacteria while removing toxins from your feet.

To use this remedy, you will need to make a puree using a ginger root of medium size. Once you have the puree, you will need to steep it in just a single cup of hot water for 15 minutes. Strain this solution and then put it on your feet very gently every night before you go to bed. For the best results, do this every night for 2 weeks.

Home remedies like the ones that have been talked about above will be less likely to remove the stinky feet issue if you continue wearing damp or dirty socks and shoes. In cases like that, they might only offer temporary relief that will reduce the odor only at the time they are used. You might need to experiment with different remedies until you hit on one that will work for you. If you go through all of these and don’t find relief, consult your doctor.

Preventing Stinky Feet

Proper foot care and hygiene can assist in the reduction of stinky feet issues.

You should wash your feet every day with a soap that is mild. You might even consider using an antiseptic soap. You should also use a brush to scrub your feet in order to remove dead skin cells and dirt. Be sure that you completely dry your feet, especially those areas in between your toes.

Keep your toenails trimmed.

Check the soles of your feet for dead and hard skin. Remove these using a foot file. It is also a good idea to soak your feet in a salt and water solution for about 10 minutes before you do this, or while you are bathing, so your feet will be soft and easy to file. Dead, hard skin can act as a safe harbor for microorganisms when they get soggy.

Change your socks on a regular basis. Never wear socks that are not fresh and clean.

Keep an extra pair of shoes that you can change into so that the ones you are taking off have enough time for them to dry out completely before you put them back on.

It is always a good idea to wear sandals and shoes that can breathe and are made from mesh, canvas, or leather instead of ones made from synthetic materials or plastic.

Wear comfortable shoes that fit perfectly and are appropriate for whatever the weather is.

Use insoles that are medicated and have a deodorizing action.

If these things don’t assist in getting the problem under control, if you are a sufferer of hyperhidrosis, or if it is affecting the quality of your life, see your doctor.

When to See Your Doctor

If you don’t get any relief from the remedies and suggestions listed above, there might be some sort of underlying issue that will need to be checked out by your physician.