Do you have an unpleasant foot odor? In order not to blush in society anymore, I reveal to you a way to solve this problem once and for all!

Your feet can indeed take you from point A to point B, but they are therefore susceptible to creating an unpleasant odor along the way.

While most people experience an unpleasant foot odor from time to time, some people do live in fear of taking off their shoes. I researched how to fight against unpleasant foot odor and everything I learned, I share with you in the following lines.

Let's first see why foot odor occurs at all.

Unpleasant foot odor causes

The medical term for foot odor is bromodosis. This is indeed a very unpleasant phenomenon, however, the good news is that there are many treatments against foot odor.

Legs generally sweat a lot, primarily because they have more sweat glands than any other part of the body. These glands release sweat throughout the day, which really helps you cool your body and keep your skin moist.

In fact, foot odor is not just sweat. These are bacteria that thrive in a humid environment and feed on dead skin cells, which causes an unpleasant odor. In general, sweat is odorless, and the cause of the unpleasant smell of sweat, which normally contains amino acids and proteins, are bacteria that feed on these compounds and give off a particularly unpleasant odor.

Namely, the bacteria that grow on your feet emit a certain gas while eating, which is the reason for your problem of unpleasant foot odor.

Everyone sweats, but teenagers and pregnant women are most susceptible to foot sweating, because during that period they produce hormones that make them sweat more. Thus, foot odor in women can be most present in pregnancy or if there is a hormonal imbalance resulting in more sweat.

People who are on their feet all day at work, who are under a lot of pressure, stress or have a health condition that makes them prone to sweating tend to be bothered by an unpleasant foot odor.

In most cases, foot odor is the result of a relatively benign condition that can be easily treated.

Poor hygiene as a cause of foot odor

Poor hygiene can play a role in causing foot odor. Irregular foot washing or not changing socks at least once a day can allow bacteria to multiply on the feet. This can lead to worsening foot odor.

Bacteria cause unpleasant odors

Some bacteria normally exist on the feet. These bacteria help break down sweat on the feet. If bacteria and sweat accumulate, an unpleasant foot odor can form. Additional bacteria are created when a person sweats in his shoes, takes them off, and then puts them on again, not allowing them to dry completely.

It is estimated that 10-15% of people survive a particularly serious form of foot odor due to the presence of the bacterium Micrococcus sedentarius in their footwear. This bacterium eats dead skin cells and attracts a moist environment in sweaty shoes.

These bacteria produce organic acids and sulfur compounds that smell like rotten eggs. Micrococcus sedentarius, which causes an unpleasant foot odor, is more of an inconvenience than a threat to health. Proper hygiene is key in eradicating bacteria.

Daily washing of the feet, frequent changes of socks and wearing different pairs of shoes are all ways to minimize the growth of bacteria on the feet.

Fungal infections

One of the most common sources of foot odor is the growth of fungus, and as if that unpleasant odor is not enough, fungus can also cause flaking of the skin on the soles or cause peeling of the skin between the toes. This condition is called athletic foot or tinea pedis. Athletic foot is a contagious fungal infection and can be transmitted from person to person in humid environments, such as pool floors, locker rooms, showers - where the fungus survives and comes in contact with the bare skin of the foot. Damaged skin due to blisters and dandruff can increase vulnerability to fungal infection.

Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating of the legs

When the sweat glands work excessively, very awkward situations can occur in the form of unpleasant foot odor. Namely, sweat glands exist on most surfaces of the body. The autonomic nervous system responds to an increase in body temperature by stimulating the secretion of sweat on the surface of the skin, which cools the body through evaporation.

Some people experience excessive sweating reactions under the armpits, on the palms or soles of the feet, which is known as focal hyperhidrosis. Unpleasant foot odor can occur due to hyperhidrosis.

In some people, hyperhidrosis can cause such extreme feelings of shame, that people isolate themselves, thus suffering their social and emotional life.

Unpleasant foot odor treatment

You can really fight foot odor in a number of ways. These can be some medical and natural treatments, so take a look at some of the suggestions.

Home treatments will usually work well to reduce or eliminate foot odor. However, if these home treatments do not help alleviate foot odor, you should see a doctor. Your doctor may prescribe stronger antiperspirants and appropriate medical foot soap, and may also give you advice on medical treatments for excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis.

Keep your feet clean and tidy

Proper foot care is very important and you should not neglect it, if you want to avoid unpleasant foot odor. So follow these tips:

Use mild soap and a foot wash brush, at least once a day. The best time for that is during the morning or night bath. It is important to dry your feet completely after washing, and pay special attention to the skin between the toes, where residual moisture can easily cause the growth of bacteria and fungi.

Regularly shorten the toenails so that they are short and be sure to clean them regularly.

Remove thickened, dead skin from the soles of the feet with the help of a special foot stone.

Change socks at least once a day. If you are in a hot environment, exercising or in any other situation where your feet may sweat profusely, you should change your socks often.

Have a minimum of two pairs of shoes that you will change every other day. This allows each pair of shoes to dry completely from sweat or moisture throughout the day before putting them on again. You can take the insoles out of your shoes to dry as soon as possible.

Choose socks that absorb moisture. These include thick, soft socks made from natural fibers or sports socks.

Wear open sandals in warm weather and go as barefoot as possible indoors when needed.

Avoid shoes that are tight and tight or that can retain moisture.

You can wipe your feet with a small amount of alcohol every night with the help of a cotton swab. This will dry out your feet. Just don't apply alcohol to damaged skin!

Apply anti-fungal foot spray and foot odor or medical foot powder once a day. This works against fungi that cause foot odor.

Insert a medically deodorized insole into your shoes.

If you want to quickly reduce foot odor, feel free to apply an antiperspirant or deodorant spray to stink your feet.

Try different types of antifungal and antibacterial heel soaps until you find the one that suits you best.

Spray for unpleasant foot odor

Today, you can find a large number of sprays on the market that are antiperspirants and deodorants, which means that they mask an unpleasant odor or simply block sweating in the feet. Many anti-fungal and antibacterial sprays are also available that act on bacteria and fungi that cause foot odor.

They are very practical to use and you can carry them everywhere with you, and they work almost immediately after application.

In any case, my advice to you is to always opt for a natural foot-based foot spray, which can include various essential oils, such as tea tree oil, lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, sage and other useful natural ingredients. Natural cosmetics are always a better option.

Essential oil for unpleasant foot odor

Ingredients needed:

8-10 drops of essential oil (eucalyptus, lavender or tea tree oil)

Half a bucket (or foot bath) of warm water

Add the essential oil to warm water, stir and soak your feet in this bath for 20 minutes.

Instead of using just one type of essential oil, you can make a mixture of 2-3 oils.

Apply this twice a day for a few days.

Essential oils have many useful properties: antiseptic, antifungal and antimicrobial properties, which kill bacteria and fungi that cause unpleasant foot odor. The pleasant smell of these oils will stay on your feet and cover the bad smell.

Lemon juice

Ingredients needed.

1/2 to 1 glass of lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

a small foot bath with warm water

Pour freshly squeezed lemon juice into a tub of water and soak your feet in this bath for 15 minutes.

In the end, just wash your feet with clean water.

Do it twice a day.

Citric acid present in lemon juice kills bacteria and reduces foot odor. It also has astringent properties that will reduce pores on the skin and help reduce sweating.

Tea bags against foot odor

Ingredients needed:

4-5 tea bags of black tea

hot water

small foot bath

Fill about 2/3 of the tub with warm water and soak the tea bags in this water, let it stand for a few minutes. Remove the tea bags and soak your feet in this water for 10-15 minutes.

Repeat this procedure twice a day.

Black tea is rich in tannins and polyphenols, which have antioxidant and antibacterial properties and help you get rid of unpleasant foot odor.

Salt water to remove foot odor

Ingredients needed:

1/2 to 1 cup salt

8 glasses of hot water

small foot bath

Pour hot water into the tub and add salt, stir for a few seconds to dissolve completely.

Soak your feet in this water for 20 minutes, and do it once or twice a day for a few days.

The salt absorbs excess moisture in your feet, which reduces the growth of bacteria that cause unpleasant foot odor. It also acts as an astringent.

Unpleasant foot odor of baking soda

Ingredients needed:

1.5 to 2 tablespoons baking soda powder

7-8 cups of warm water

small tub

Add baking soda powder to warm water and stir to dissolve. Soak your feet in this water for 15 minutes. Repeat this twice a day.

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, neutralizes unpleasant odors and softens the feet at the same time.

Coconut oil

Ingredients needed:

1-2 tablespoons coconut oil

5 drops of cedar essential oil

Wash your feet and dry them well. Mix cedar oil in melted and cooled coconut oil and apply this mixture on the feet, gently massaging so that the skin absorbs.

Repeat this every day until you get rid of the unpleasant foot odor.

Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which kills bacteria present on the feet, and cedar essential oil has anti-fungal properties.

Bitter with or epsom with

Ingredients needed:

1/2 cup bitter salt

a small foot bath with warm water

Add the bitter salt to the water and stir well to dissolve, then soak your feet in this water for 20-30 minutes.

Do this twice a day for a few days.

Magnesium in bitter salt absorbs excess moisture from the skin, which kills the bacteria responsible for the stench of the feet, and also reduces inflammation, softens the skin and soothes sore feet.

Sage and rosemary for unpleasant foot odor

Take one bucket or foot bath and fill it halfway with hot water. Add one tablespoon of dried rosemary and sage to this. Let it stand until it cools down a bit, then soak your feet in this for 30 minutes. Repeat this procedure daily for a week.

Sage leaves consist of a compound known as tannic acid, which helps reduce the secretion of sweat from the sweat glands. This medicinal plant also has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, as well as astringent properties. Sage also helps fight hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating.

You can put dried sage in socks and shoes, which will pick up unpleasant odors.

Rosemary also has antifungal and antibacterial, as well as astringent properties.

Apple vinegar

Take a foot bath and pour 7 glasses of lukewarm water into it. Then pour half a glass of apple cider vinegar or white distilled vinegar. Soak your feet in this for about 20 minutes, 2 times a day. When you're done, just wash your feet with cold water and then dry them completely.

Apple cider vinegar is one of the most powerful natural remedies against foot odor

Vinegar creates an acidic environment that makes it difficult for bacteria to thrive.

It also helps maintain the pH level of the skin and permanently remove odors caused by bacteria.

Medical treatments for foot odor

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you can't get rid of the unpleasant foot odor. When this is the case, you may need to see a doctor, who will prescribe you medical treatment.

Iontophoresis

This is an approach that involves applying a mild electric current through water to the skin, in order to reduce foot sweating.

Botox

Another option used in some cases is an injection of botulinum toxin or botox. This medicine is injected into the feet by means known as plantar injections.

However, these injections can be especially painful. The results usually last between 3-4 months, and subsequent treatments are necessary. Botox is also used for excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis.

Unpleasant foot odor is a fairly common occurrence and that is why there is no reason to worry much if you also belong to the group of people who have a problem with this. Today there are a huge number of treatments to solve this problem in a completely natural and safe way, so now you can get a spray for unpleasant odors on a natural basis. Try some of the above treatments and just be persistent and the results will surely come by themselves.