12 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Foul Or Stinky Foot Smell
Foot Odour is a common problem that becomes more annoying specially in summer season. This foul foot smell causes a lot of embarrassment when you take off your shoes. By understanding the main reason behind this problem you can easily get rid of this embarrassing problem.
Your foot don't create any odor even the sweat itself is odorless, but when it comes into contact with bacteria it begins to create foul smell. Dark, damp and warm environment is a perfect place for such bacteria to grow.If you wear such socks and shoes that don't allow evaporation, then the moisture gets trapped and the bacteria begin growing.Your shoes,socks and sweat provide the perfect environment for such bacteria to grow faster and cause foul smell. Foul smell causing bacteria Initially stick to the shoes and socks, but over time they stick to the skin and cause the foot to smell bad. Some other causes associate with foot odour are given below:
Causes of Stinky Feet
However you can cure this problem by following some home remedies which are given below:
Home Remedies to Cure Foot Odour or Stinky Feet:
1. Listerine
Listerine is considered very effective to cure foot odour. Soak a cotton ball in Listerine and rub it all over your feet, as well as, on the inside of your shoes. The alcohol and herbal extracts in Listerine are very effective to fight against fungus and bacteria that causes foul smell.
2. Black Tea
Soaking your feet in a solution of Black Tea is an other effective home remedy to cure foot odor. The tannic acid present in the tea helps to fight against bacteria. To prepare a solution of Black Tea, take two tea bags and boil them in three cups of water. To this solution add half a bucket of normal water to bring down the temperature of the solution. Now soak your feet in it for 15-20 minutes.Finally wash your feet and completely dry them before wearing shoes.
3.Vinegar
Add a half-cup of Vinegar to lukewarm water and soak your feet in this solution for 10-15 minutes. Finally wash your feet properly and use a soap to remove the vinegar smell.The acetic acid in Vinegar attacks fungus and bacteria, but does not harm your feet. For best results repeat this 3-4 times per week.
4. Baking Soda
Baking soda is also an effective way to minimize the amount of bacteria in your shoes and socks. You can use baking soda in both your shoes and socks before using them. You can also soak your feet in a solution of baking soda and lukewarm water. Take half bucket of lukewarm water and add some baking soda. Now mix them well and soak your feet in this solution for 15-20 minutes. Regular use will give you excellent result within few days.
5. Ginger Root
Take a medium sized ginger root and make a puree out of it. Now steep the puree in a cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes. Now with the help of a coffee filter, strain the solution to get a smooth liquid. Use this ginger liquid to massage your feet gently each night before going to bed. Repeat the process daily and get a remarkable result within few days.
6. Acne Soap (Acne-Aid)
Try to daily wash your feet with a good anti-bacterial acne soap (Acne-aid) because it is a special soap that is antibacterial and helps to fight against foul smell causing bacteria.
7. Alum (Phitkari)
Antiseptic and astringent properties of alum are very helpful in getting rid of foul foot smell or stinky feet. Take some alum and grind well to make a fine powder. Mix a teaspoon of alum powder in a cup of warm water. Use it to wash your feet. Then, sprinkle some alum powder on your feet. Repeat this process at least once per day.
8. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is also very beneficial in getting rid of stinky feet with bad odour. Epsom salt fights microbial infection and neutralizes foot odor. Take 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt and mix it in a bucket or small tub filled with lukewarm water. Now put your feet in it for 15 minutes and then pat dry your feet. For best results repeat this process before going to bed.
9. Green Tea
Anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties of green are very helpful in getting rid of stinky smell causing bacteria. Take 2-3 green tea bags. Pour lukewarm water in small tub that holds enough warm water to cover the feet up to the ankles. Soak the tea bags in water for 10--15 minutes. Then, dip your feet in it and relax. Green tea will destroy all the bacteria, which causes foul smell. Now pat dry your feet with clean towel.
10. Oatmeal Scrub
Oatmeal scrub helps a lot in removing dead skin cells along with stinky smell. Removing dead skin and calluses in turn will help in getting rid of foot odor as they are often associates with smelly feet. To make this scrub at home take 2 tablespoons of oatmeal and soak it in warm water. After soaking, oats will become soft. Rub it on your feet like a scrub. After 5 minutes wash it with lukewarm water. Now pat dry your skin and apply a moisturizer.
11. Talcum Powder or Baby Powder
Another great way to get rid of foul foot smell is to use talcum powder or baby powder on your feet. Astringent properties of powder will absorb and dry out your sweat. All you need is to simply sprinkle some talcum powder or baby powder generously on your feet. Repeat this process 2-3 times a day for a few days to remove foot odor. In addition, you can also sprinkle it inside your shoes.
12. Lavender Oil
Anti-oxidant and anti-fungal properties of lavender oil help a lot in getting rid of stinky feet. In addition to having an awesome smell, Lavender oil also helps in destroying foul smell causing bacteria.
Put 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil in a small bucket half-filled with warm water. Now soak your feet in it for 15 to 20 minutes. Finally pat dry your skin with clean towel. For best results, repeat this process twice a day until you get the desired results.
Some Preventions and Useful Tips
(i)Don't wear synthetic socks instead try to wear Cotton socks because they have the ability to absorb the excessive moisture. White Cotton socks are best, as some dyes can cause or contribute to foot odour.
(ii)Before washing your socks turn them inside out to allow the dead flakes of skin to wash away more easily.
(ii)Don't wear socks or shoes with damp feet because damp and warm environment is a perfect place for bacteria to grow faster.
(iv)Keep your feet dry as much as possible.You can put some talcum powder before wearing your shoes. Talcum powder will help in destroying bacteria and removing the foul smell. Before applying talcum powder make sure your feet are totally dry or else it will cause stickiness.
(v)Don't wear the same shoes for prolonged time and let breathe your feet. Never wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. Instead, wear different shoes on successive days so they have a minimum of 24 hours to dry out.
(vi)Sometimes foul foot smell may be a sign of an other medical condition so If you don't get rid of foul foot smell by following above remedies then you must consult your problem with a professional Doctor.
Your foot don't create any odor even the sweat itself is odorless, but when it comes into contact with bacteria it begins to create foul smell. Dark, damp and warm environment is a perfect place for such bacteria to grow.If you wear such socks and shoes that don't allow evaporation, then the moisture gets trapped and the bacteria begin growing.Your shoes,socks and sweat provide the perfect environment for such bacteria to grow faster and cause foul smell. Foul smell causing bacteria Initially stick to the shoes and socks, but over time they stick to the skin and cause the foot to smell bad. Some other causes associate with foot odour are given below:
Causes of Stinky Feet
- Poor Hygiene
- Fungal Infection
- Hyperhidrosis(Excessive sweating)
- Hormonal changes onset of Puberty
- Hormonal changes during Pregnancy or Menopause
- Alcohol and drugs
- Mental or Emotional Stress
- Over-Wearing shoes or Wearing same shoes for prolonged time
However you can cure this problem by following some home remedies which are given below:
Home Remedies to Cure Foot Odour or Stinky Feet:
1. Listerine
Listerine is considered very effective to cure foot odour. Soak a cotton ball in Listerine and rub it all over your feet, as well as, on the inside of your shoes. The alcohol and herbal extracts in Listerine are very effective to fight against fungus and bacteria that causes foul smell.
2. Black Tea
Soaking your feet in a solution of Black Tea is an other effective home remedy to cure foot odor. The tannic acid present in the tea helps to fight against bacteria. To prepare a solution of Black Tea, take two tea bags and boil them in three cups of water. To this solution add half a bucket of normal water to bring down the temperature of the solution. Now soak your feet in it for 15-20 minutes.Finally wash your feet and completely dry them before wearing shoes.
3.Vinegar
Add a half-cup of Vinegar to lukewarm water and soak your feet in this solution for 10-15 minutes. Finally wash your feet properly and use a soap to remove the vinegar smell.The acetic acid in Vinegar attacks fungus and bacteria, but does not harm your feet. For best results repeat this 3-4 times per week.
4. Baking Soda
Baking soda is also an effective way to minimize the amount of bacteria in your shoes and socks. You can use baking soda in both your shoes and socks before using them. You can also soak your feet in a solution of baking soda and lukewarm water. Take half bucket of lukewarm water and add some baking soda. Now mix them well and soak your feet in this solution for 15-20 minutes. Regular use will give you excellent result within few days.
5. Ginger Root
Take a medium sized ginger root and make a puree out of it. Now steep the puree in a cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes. Now with the help of a coffee filter, strain the solution to get a smooth liquid. Use this ginger liquid to massage your feet gently each night before going to bed. Repeat the process daily and get a remarkable result within few days.
6. Acne Soap (Acne-Aid)
Try to daily wash your feet with a good anti-bacterial acne soap (Acne-aid) because it is a special soap that is antibacterial and helps to fight against foul smell causing bacteria.
7. Alum (Phitkari)
Antiseptic and astringent properties of alum are very helpful in getting rid of foul foot smell or stinky feet. Take some alum and grind well to make a fine powder. Mix a teaspoon of alum powder in a cup of warm water. Use it to wash your feet. Then, sprinkle some alum powder on your feet. Repeat this process at least once per day.
8. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is also very beneficial in getting rid of stinky feet with bad odour. Epsom salt fights microbial infection and neutralizes foot odor. Take 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt and mix it in a bucket or small tub filled with lukewarm water. Now put your feet in it for 15 minutes and then pat dry your feet. For best results repeat this process before going to bed.
9. Green Tea
Anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties of green are very helpful in getting rid of stinky smell causing bacteria. Take 2-3 green tea bags. Pour lukewarm water in small tub that holds enough warm water to cover the feet up to the ankles. Soak the tea bags in water for 10--15 minutes. Then, dip your feet in it and relax. Green tea will destroy all the bacteria, which causes foul smell. Now pat dry your feet with clean towel.
10. Oatmeal Scrub
Oatmeal scrub helps a lot in removing dead skin cells along with stinky smell. Removing dead skin and calluses in turn will help in getting rid of foot odor as they are often associates with smelly feet. To make this scrub at home take 2 tablespoons of oatmeal and soak it in warm water. After soaking, oats will become soft. Rub it on your feet like a scrub. After 5 minutes wash it with lukewarm water. Now pat dry your skin and apply a moisturizer.
11. Talcum Powder or Baby Powder
Another great way to get rid of foul foot smell is to use talcum powder or baby powder on your feet. Astringent properties of powder will absorb and dry out your sweat. All you need is to simply sprinkle some talcum powder or baby powder generously on your feet. Repeat this process 2-3 times a day for a few days to remove foot odor. In addition, you can also sprinkle it inside your shoes.
12. Lavender Oil
Anti-oxidant and anti-fungal properties of lavender oil help a lot in getting rid of stinky feet. In addition to having an awesome smell, Lavender oil also helps in destroying foul smell causing bacteria.
Put 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil in a small bucket half-filled with warm water. Now soak your feet in it for 15 to 20 minutes. Finally pat dry your skin with clean towel. For best results, repeat this process twice a day until you get the desired results.
Some Preventions and Useful Tips
(i)Don't wear synthetic socks instead try to wear Cotton socks because they have the ability to absorb the excessive moisture. White Cotton socks are best, as some dyes can cause or contribute to foot odour.
(ii)Before washing your socks turn them inside out to allow the dead flakes of skin to wash away more easily.
(ii)Don't wear socks or shoes with damp feet because damp and warm environment is a perfect place for bacteria to grow faster.
(iv)Keep your feet dry as much as possible.You can put some talcum powder before wearing your shoes. Talcum powder will help in destroying bacteria and removing the foul smell. Before applying talcum powder make sure your feet are totally dry or else it will cause stickiness.
(v)Don't wear the same shoes for prolonged time and let breathe your feet. Never wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. Instead, wear different shoes on successive days so they have a minimum of 24 hours to dry out.
(vi)Sometimes foul foot smell may be a sign of an other medical condition so If you don't get rid of foul foot smell by following above remedies then you must consult your problem with a professional Doctor.