Sweating is a natural and extremely important process for human life, during which toxins are eliminated from the body. But in some cases it becomes a real problem, especially when it comes to the legs. Due to the increased concentration of sweat glands on the feet and the prolonged stay of the lower extremities in boots or shoes, an unpleasant odor occurs. According to medical research by the IHS (International Hyperhidrosis Society), at least every fifth person on the planet regularly experiences a situation where their feet sweat excessively in their shoes; what to do in this case is still a burning question for many. When choosing an effective solution to the problem, it is important to understand that you can get rid of excessive sweating only after finding out the reasons for its occurrence.
Causes of foot odor
Sweat itself has no odor, but closed shoes with poor ventilation create an ideal moist and warm environment for bacteria to grow. Their waste products produce a nauseating odor that drives you to despair when you have to take off your shoes. Therefore, the main task becomes to prevent the proliferation of bacteria. This is true for any reason for sweaty feet.
The cause of the smell may be:
- hormonal changes in the body, completely natural, such as adolescence, pregnancy, menopause, or associated with a medical disease;
- fungal infections of the skin of the legs that need to be treated;
- nervous tension;
Causes of foot odor
- intense physical activity;
- hereditary characteristics.
Discuss treatment options with a qualified physician. Here we will look at what to do to prevent your feet from sweating and your shoes from stinking.
Feet hyperhidrosis test
Sweaty feet can signal a disease; a dermatologist can select the appropriate tests
Hyperhidrosis is a pathology in which the sebaceous glands produce a lot of sweat. Various areas of the body sweat. Pathology appears even in the absence of physical activity or high air temperature. A hyperhidrosis test can help you diagnose the disease yourself.
For testing you will need:
- cotton swab;
- warm iodine solution (2-3 drops/250 ml of water);
- corn starch.
Sequencing:
- Soak the swab in an iodine solution.
- Treat feet with cotton wool.
- Dust wet feet with cornstarch.
- Mark the result. Areas affected by hyperhidrosis will appear blue.
The test is carried out in a calm state. After physical activity, jogging or working out in the gym, the diagnostic result is considered invalid.
Feet need to be washed
Yes, this is the very first rule that will help you so that your feet don’t stink. Preferably three times a day, but definitely in the morning and evening. In especially critical cases, it is better to do this with tar soap. It has an antibacterial effect that will prevent bacteria from growing until the next time you wash your feet.
Pay special attention to the space between your fingers so that there are no colonies of bacteria there to multiply.
Then, wipe your feet dry with a clean natural towel. And again, we blot the moisture well between the fingers so that it is dry.
Skin of feet
The keratinized areas of dead skin are also an incubator for smelly living creatures. Use pumice stones or files and graters to remove them.
Files are used on dry skin before washing or steaming feet, pumice and graters on steamed skin. Clean rough areas of the foot 1-2 times a week, and you will not only eliminate the breeding ground for bacteria, but also get soft and tender heels and feet.
Remember to thoroughly rinse used tools so that they do not become a breeding ground for the living creatures you are fighting.
Socks
It is advisable to wear socks made from natural materials; they keep your feet dry longer. Cheap synthetics will only make the problem worse.
But manufacturers do not stand still. Now you can buy socks for sports from new synthetic materials that wick moisture out and keep your feet dry. They are not cheap, but after training your feet will be dry, bacteria and fungi will have nowhere to multiply.
If you are prone to sweating, change your socks or tights three times a day. If you do not have the opportunity to wash and dry your feet, use wet antibacterial wipes to disinfect before changing socks or tights outside the home.
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Place used socks in a sealed plastic bag to prevent them from smelling.
Shoes
Buy shoes made from natural materials with good ventilation. You should not wear sealed synthetic shoes if your feet sweat excessively. In such shoes, your feet will sweat more and the odor problem will worsen.
Coffee helps fight foot odor
Nowadays, sports shoes are made mainly from synthetics. In this case, buy models with fabric or mesh inserts. In these sneakers, your feet will breathe and sweat less. And these shoes can be washed in a washing machine, which makes it possible to keep them clean and eliminate unpleasant odors.
Don't forget to dry and air your shoes and insoles when you get home.
Idea: You can put a little baby powder in your shoes to keep your feet dry longer. This advice is especially useful for ladies when they need to wear evening shoes with tights.
In summer, wear sandals to prevent your feet from sweating.
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What if it's not the shoes? How to understand this?
If you constantly take care of your shoes, buy products made from high-quality materials, but your feet still sweat, then this is not the root of the problem. In this case, you should pay attention to the health of not only the skin of the feet, fingers and nails, but also the internal organs . The presence of abrasions, redness, wounds, ulcers, changes in the color and structure of the nail may indicate that the unpleasant odor and sweating are caused by the development of pathogenic bacteria and microbes.
Advice! In that case, a banal change of shoes will not help. In order to somehow correct the situation, you need to see a doctor, follow strict foot hygiene rules and use medications.
How to choose winter shoes?
Hygienic requirements for shoes
How to reduce foot sweating
To reduce foot sweating, you can buy special ointments, powders, sprays or pastes at the pharmacy.
I would like to draw your attention to time-tested products. They are inexpensive, and their effectiveness has been proven over years of use. These are Teymurov's paste and salicylic-zinc ointment. Both have an antimicrobial and drying effect and have almost no contraindications other than intolerance to the ingredients. They guarantee less sweating and no odor.
Apply the product to dry, washed feet, then put on socks or tights. Can be used morning and evening.
Please note: if you don’t have any special product for your feet on hand, use an antiperspirant for your body. It will stop sweating.
What to look for when choosing good shoes?
First of all, you should take a closer look at the price. Good quality shoes cannot be too cheap. It is also necessary to carefully inspect the product. An important indicator is the absence of strong odors . Shoes should not smell like glue or solvent; the smell should be light and unobtrusive.
The appearance of the product should not have any scuffs or wrinkles. Over the entire area of the boot or shoes, the color should be uniform and saturated, unless the design of the product implies the opposite. If there are seams on it, they must be smooth, continuous, without the formation of any creases or cracks. A flexible but durable sole is also a guarantee of quality .
What does folk wisdom suggest?
People have always had the problem of sweaty feet and their smell. Let's consider folk remedies to combat this inconvenience that can be used at home. First of all, these are baths to reduce foot sweating. For baths use:
- oak bark Boil two tablespoons of bark for 25 minutes in 0.5 liters of water, dilute the broth in a 2-liter basin and keep your feet for 20 minutes. You can do it a couple of times a week until the condition of your legs improves;
- laurel leaves. Boil 15 leaves in 3 liters of hot water for 10 minutes. Cool to a warm temperature and take a foot bath for 20 minutes.
Sour baths with vinegar, 20 ml of 6% apple cider vinegar per 2 liters of water, or potassium permanganate help well. Prepare a slightly pink solution from potassium permanganate and keep your feet in it for 15-20 minutes.
Important: dissolve the potassium permanganate crystals in a separate bowl, and then add the concentrated solution to water. This must be done so that the crystals do not get on the skin, because this substance is a strong oxidizing agent and its crystals can cause a burn.
At night, to prevent sweating, you can wipe your feet with a cotton swab dipped in a solution of vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio.
Now you know what to do to prevent your feet from sweating and stinking. Hygiene always comes first. All other products should be used together with washing your feet, and not instead. I hope our advice will help you solve this unpleasant problem. And your embarrassment when taking off your shoes will be a thing of the past.
Do you think the problem of foot odor affects your quality of life?
Herbal powders
Powders absorb sweat, prevent chafing and reduce possible skin inflammation.
Recipe No. 1 Add 10-30 drops of any essential oil to a cup of cornstarch. Mix the mixture with your fingers and use immediately.
Recipe No. 2 For hot days, the refreshing aroma of grapefruit and lavender is suitable (useful properties and uses of lavender). Preparation:
- 50 g corn starch;
- 2 tbsp. white cosmetic clay;
- 7 drops each of lavender and grapefruit essential oil.
Mix corn starch with cosmetic clay. Add essential oils drop by drop and mix everything with your fingers. Leave it in a sealed container for a few days, after which you can use it.
Recipe No. 3 The cooking method is as follows:
- 2 tbsp. fragrant rose petals;
- 50 g corn starch;
- 2 tbsp. white cosmetic clay;
- 7 drops each of lavender, rose and ylang-ylang essential oils.
Rose, lavender and ylang-ylang will give the powder an aroma and an invigorating effect. Corn starch and cosmetic clay, in turn, will cope with sweat. Grind rose petals in a coffee grinder to powder and mix with cornstarch and cosmetic clay. Add essential oils (drop by drop) and mix everything thoroughly with your fingers. Leave in a sealed container for several days. Use as needed.
Recipe No. 4 The preparation is the same as in recipe No. 2, but replace the mentioned essential oils with 10 drops of sandalwood oil, 3 drops of lavender and 3 drops of sage (medicinal properties of sage).
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