Almost all people suffer from the occurrence of foot odor; however, the intensity varies from one person to another. Some may have a mild odor while others have offensive and distinct odor especially upon removing footwear. This can be very embarrassing especially when you need to take off your shoes or socks in certain social interactions or instances. Fortunately, foot odor is preventable and treatable. Maintenance of good hygiene is the primary method of preventing it from occurring.
Causes of Foot Odor
Most people believe that the armpits have the most numerous sweat glands in the body. Unknown to the majority of the population, the feet actually contains the most number of sweat glands in the body. Other areas where sweat glands are numerous are in the palms and in the forehead.
Sweat is actually odorless. However, the warm and moist environment created by sweating in the skin becomes a good breeding ground for bacteria, fungus and other micro-organisms. This is especially true in the feet area since wearing socks or shoes encloses the area and prevents ventilation. These micro-organisms can also spread and breed on the surface of the shoes and socks, thus, worsening the bad smell.
5 Ways to Prevent Foot Odor
As mentioned before, the best way to prevent and treat foot odor is by practicing good feet hygiene. The following methods should be observed:
- Wash feet with soap and water regularly. Wipe the soles, toes and the area in-between the toes with a towel after washing. Dry feet thoroughly before donning socks or wearing footwear. Apply foot or talcum powder to absorb the remaining moisture.
- Wear cotton socks instead of nylon or polyester. Cotton is more absorbent than nylon and polyester. It also allows air to pass through so the feet remain dry most of the time. Change socks everyday to avoid harboring micro-organisms.
- Sprinkle some baking soda on the insoles and insides of socks to kill any bacteria present. Soak feet in baking soda dissolved in warm water to kill as well the bacteria present in the feet.
- Alternate shoes every other day so the shoes can be air-dried for a day. Do not wear shoes soaked in rain or snow. Make sure it is thoroughly dry before using it again.
- Apply topical medications if there is fungal infection present such as athlete’s foot. Treat toenail fungus immediately as this can spread all over the feet and worsen the condition.
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