How to effectively eliminate foot odor?

Unpleasant foot odor is a fairly urgent problem that worries a great many people. A similar phenomenon occurs in both men and women. It is commonly associated with poor hygiene. This is partly true, but the reasons for the unpleasant odor of the body and feet are many, and often it is not possible to eliminate it with hygiene procedures alone. What affects its appearance and how to get rid of foot odor, and we will talk in this article.

Why do feet smell

Some people think that unpleasant foot and body odor comes from sweat, but that's not really the problem. Sweat is a collection of certain chemical constituents, none of which has a foul-smelling odor. This applies only to healthy people in whom all body systems are functioning normally. But if some organs are disturbed, sweat can acquire a pronounced unpleasant body odor. The reasons for which the feet become sweaty and smell bad can be the following:

• hormonal disruptions;
• fungal diseases of the nails or feet;
• diabetes;
• heart or vascular disease;
• tuberculosis;
• unbalanced diet;
• diseases of the nervous system, frequent stress;
• vegetative dystonia.

These pathologies lead to the fact that the sweat glands of the body begin to work incorrectly, as a result of which substances with an unpleasant odor begin to enter the sweat. Other reasons your feet smell bad include:

• poor body hygiene, lack of proper foot care;
• wearing too tight shoes, or shoes made of synthetic materials;
• abuse of harmful food, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products;
• walking in closed shoes in the summer;
• wearing too thick socks out of season, or synthetic socks;
• walking in shoes or socks that are wet.

As you can see, the reasons why feet smell bad can be very different. Most often, this problem occurs in men, because their shoes are usually heavier and more closed than women. Before taking any measures to combat an unpleasant odor, you need to be examined by a doctor to exclude possible diseases.

Treatment

The main reason for the appearance of a bad foot or body odor is excessive sweating, which can be caused by certain diseases or insufficient hygiene measures.

Shoes and foot hygiene

First of all, to eliminate sweating of the feet, you need to pay close attention to the shoes:

• Only shoes made from natural materials should be worn. This is especially important for summer shoes.
• You can not be in shoes from morning to evening. At work, it is recommended that you periodically remove your feet from your shoes so that they can rest. If this is not possible, you need to make sure that at work you can change shoes for more comfortable ones. It is very useful to walk barefoot for at least an hour a day.
• Every day, after taking off your shoes, you need to process it inside with a special solution, or wash and dry the insoles every few days.
• It is strictly not recommended to wear uncomfortable or tight shoes in pursuit of beauty. This applies not only to women, but also to men. The size of the shoe should be the same as the size of the foot. To hope that a tight pair of shoes will wear off over time means putting a lot of stress on your feet for a long time. And this is fraught not only with strong sweating, but also with the occurrence of diseases of the vessels and joints of the legs.

Socks are also of great importance, especially for men. Only linen or cotton should be worn. If it is impossible to completely abandon synthetic materials, then they must be worn periodically, changing them twice a day.

It is necessary to do water procedures for the legs twice a day. This will help not only get rid of the stench, but also prevent many diseases of the nails and skin of the feet. To remove an unpleasant odor, use aromatic oils when washing your feet and body, and use a pumice stone to remove the stratum corneum.

How to treat a repulsive foot odor caused by fungal diseases

Fungus of the foot, like of the nails, is a very contagious disease that often affects people with weakened immune systems. Getting on the skin, the fungus begins to multiply actively, causing a pronounced fetid odor of feet. What to do if sweating and an unpleasant odor were caused precisely by a fungal disease? The following treatments are usually prescribed:

• antifungal tablets - Intraconazole, Ketoconazole, Fluconazole;
• sprays against fungus - Lamisil, Terbiks;
• antifungal ointments - Zalain, Nizoral;
• varnishes against fungus - Demicten, Batrafen, Lotseril.

Using these medicines, you must strictly follow the instructions. In addition, in order to cure the fungus, it is very important to pay special attention to the hygiene of the skin of the feet and the whole body, to properly care for shoes and linen.

Deodorants against unpleasant foot odor

Special deodorants help fight bad foot and body odor at home. You can use them daily. There are several types of such deodorants: antiperspirants, deodorants to reduce sweating, and medicated deodorants.

• Antiperspirants - Top rated Kilma Surefoot, Freshfoot, Odor Control. Since their action is to block the sweat glands, these funds cannot be used around the clock. From time to time you need to give your legs a rest from them.
• Antiperspirant deodorants - Deo control, Vichy 7 days. These funds do not interfere with the work of the sweat glands, but only eliminate the excess accumulation of sweat on the skin.
• Healing deodorants - for example, Gevol honey. Its principle of action is to prevent the multiplication of microbes, due to which the feet smell unpleasant.

It is necessary to treat the skin with dosorants only after washing and drying the feet. After application, you need to wait a little so that they are absorbed and have their effect. Only then can you put on your shoes. In the evening, be sure to rinse the deodorant off your feet.

Lotions and creams against unpleasant foot odor

A huge number of all kinds of lotions and creams are now on the market, which not only allow you to eliminate bad foot odor, but also help fight excessive sweating, as well as soften and nourish the skin of the feet. Such creams are produced for both men and women. The best reviews have:

• Dry-Dry. This cream does not interfere with the work of the sweat glands themselves, but allows sweat to easily escape from other places on the body. You need to treat your feet with this cream 1 hour before going to bed, so that it has time to be absorbed and dry. One application is enough for about a week to remove unpleasant odors.
• "5 days" from the company "Galeno Farm". It has an astringent and drying effect, cools and refreshes feet. In addition, this cream actively fights against pathogenic microflora, which often becomes the main cause of stench from the feet.
• Lavilin. Reduces the activity of sweat glands, fights fungus and harmful microorganisms.
• Green Pharmacy. Has antifungal, drying and deodorizing effect. One application to the soles of the feet provides 5 days of protection against sweat and odor. It is best for them to treat their feet immediately after a bath or sauna.

Of the pharmacy products recommended for combating unpleasant foot odor, good reviews have: Teymurov's paste, benzyl peroxide gel, lavender oil, boric acid, Formidron, burnt alum. You can use them at home, but strictly according to the instructions.

Treatment with folk remedies

Simple folk recipes at home can remove unwanted foot odor:

• Starch. It can be used as a powder by sprinkling it on washed and dried feet before putting on shoes or socks. It absorbs excess moisture and prevents foot stench.
• Herbal baths. Hot water is poured into a basin, adding decoctions of lavender, chamomile, sage, celandine herbs to it. Baths with the addition of sea salt, oak bark, vinegar, straw, aromatic oils of eucalyptus, cypress, mint or ordinary tea help well. It should be noted that some of these herbs can cause an allergic reaction and should be handled with care.
• Lemon. Rubbing your feet with fresh lemon peels will have a drying and odor-masking effect.
• Laundry soap. It is able to provide antibacterial action and reduce excessive sweating of the feet. Laundry soap should not be used more than once a day, as it can dry out your feet too much.
• Soda. Dilute a teaspoon of baking soda in warm water and keep your feet in it for about 20 minutes.
• Potassium permanganate. Before a working day, it is recommended to wash your feet with a solution of potassium permanganate (weak, pale pink). It dries out the skin well, prevents the accumulation of microbes and the release of excessive sweat.

By applying the above tips and remedies, you can successfully combat unpleasant foot odor only if the stench was not caused by any disease. If the effect cannot be achieved by these methods, it is strongly recommended to visit a doctor and undergo examinations in order to accurately determine the cause of this pathology and undergo treatment.