Ever slipped your shoes off at a meeting only to be mortified minutes later when the unseemly scent of your feet wafted upwards? You’re not alone. Foot odor is a common problem that occurs when feet have overactive sweat glands. These sweaty feet attract fungus and bacteria that are responsible for the foul odor.
Luckily, there are several things you can do in the comfort of your own home to help reduce foot odor. Tea, for example, is often very successful when it comes to eliminating foot odor. Black tea contains tannic acid, which exhibits anti-bacterial properties. Boil a large pot of tea and then pour it into a foot-sized tub. Let it cool before you stick your feet in. Soak your feet for 10 to 30 minutes. Be warned! You may need to scrub your feet with soap and water afterwards if the tea stains your skin. Some people recommend chamomile tea (the sweet smell of the chamomile flower is an added bonus), while others suggest soaking the feet for up to an hour in cider vinegar and warm water. Obviously no one has an hour to soak his or her feet everyday. But if you notice the stench is becoming particularly offensive, soak your feet every day for a week until you get the odor under control again.
Physical nature lies at our feet shackled with a hundred chains. What of the control of human nature? Do not point to the triumphs of psychiatry, social services or the war against crime. Domination of human nature can only mean the domination of every man by himself.
—Johan Huizinga (1872–1945)
Here’s another at-home tactic that doesn’t require you to purchase anything extra. Use the antiperspirant you normally reserve for your underarms and apply it to your feet (this is obviously easier if you wear spray-on deodorant). In severe cases, you can talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for Drysol (a heavy-duty antiperspirant) but for most people over-the-counter stuff should do the trick.
Finally, simply by practicing good foot hygiene you can reduce foot odor substantially. Change your socks everyday. Clip your toenails regularly (bacteria and foul-smelling material tends to collect beneath long nails). Purchase multiple pairs of shoes so that you can give your shoes a rest after particularly sweaty days. Look for shoes with removable insoles (this promotes a speedy drying process) and that are made from breathable materials. Most athletic shoes are designed to wick moisture away from the feet and will be made with a loosely woven material that promotes air circulation. When choosing non-athletic shoes, leather tends to be more breathable than other synthetic materials.
There are those who never burn incense when things are going well, but then throw themselves at the Buddha’s feet when crises come.
—Chinese proverb.
These simple steps can all be done in the privacy of your home without having to see a doctor.
Jane Barron works for OddShoeFinder.com,a free online website that helps people find mismatched footwear. Get more information on deformed feet, corrective shoes or foot length difference.