When your body temperature rises, perspiration will begin. Unfortunately, your feet will not be immune to sweating when this occurs. Hot weather, closed-toed shoes and sweating can lead to unpleasantries such as athlete’s foot, bad smells and infections. Infections and foot odors can be the cause of bacteria living on the skin of your feet and eating your sweat. The result is an acid byproduct that comes with an unpleasant smell. To avoid these issues and keep your feet smelling and feeling fresh, below are some tips to keep them healthy.
1. Keep Feet Clean
One of the easiest ways to keep your feet smelling fresh, free of infections and bacteria is to keep them clean. Soak your feet in a mixture of water and Epsom salt after you are done for the day and remove your shoes and socks. Soak your feet in a mixture of half a cup of the Epsom salt and water for at least 15 minutes. The mixture will help to remove excess moisture out of your skin and make it less likely bacteria will thrive.
2. Keep Your Feet Dry
It is important to always keep your feet dry. After working, bathing, swimming or soaking them, your feet need to be cleaned and dried. Moisture is the main culprit of unpleasant odors. If you have naturally sweaty feet, bring a change of socks with you to change throughout the day. Socks made from cotton or other natural materials will help keep your feet drier than man-made materials like plastic or nylon that trap moisture.
3. Keep Shoes Disinfected
If you notice your footwear holding unpleasant smells even after sitting and airing out, you may need to regularly disinfect them. Use an all-purpose disinfectant spray to get rid of the lingering smells. Kitchen disinfectant sprays that contain sanitizing ingredients such as ethanol can kill any lingering bacteria in your shoes. Be sure to let the spray dry for at least 24 hours before wearing your shoes again.
4. Use Foot Powder
If you know you have a sweating problem with your feet, you can try a foot antiperspirant. There are a variety of options to choose from at your local drugstores and online. If you are looking for a home remedy to try, sprinkle corn starch in your shoes to help keep your feet dry. Another option is to use your underarm antiperspirant on your feet to help keep the moisture under control. As a last resort, your doctor may be able to prescribe you a medication for treating foot moisture issues.
Any or all of these tips can be used to help keep your feet smelling fresh. The key is to be proactive and persistent in your efforts.