Stinky feet are an embarrassing annoyance that leaves many people not wanting to remove their shoes until they get home and can jump in the shower. The reason feet become odorous is based upon genetics, footwear choices that do not allow the feet to breathe, and bacteria and fungi that are growing on the feet.
To treat stinky feet, there are a few lifestyle changes one can make to help their feet dry. Wearing breathable natural fiber or cotton socks allow the feet and toes to stay dry, therefore keeping them from becoming a breeding ground from nasty bacteria and fungi just waiting to attack. Wearing breathable shoes (as in, the more leather, the better , and stay away from plastics) will also help your situation improve simply by leaving your feet drier. All leather shoes are best, and there are many athletic sneakers designed with breathable components to help keep active feet dry and comfortable. Leave plastic shoes and all man-made materials shoes behind and switch to shoes that will let your feet breathe a sigh of relief.
Soaking your feet in tea (Earl Grey, looking for classic English tea) is a great way to remove odor on the feet and kill the bacteria and fungi that are causing the stench at the same time. To create your tea-soak bath, steep several bags of English tea (or a dark tea variety) deeply in a large bowl to a strong concoction. Allow to cool and soak your feet with the tea bags still in the bowl for approximately 15 or 20 minutes. The tea is strong in tannins which works dually to both keep your feet dry while soaking and kill the bacteria and fungi that cause foot odor.
Another way to treat foot odor that is especially atrocious is a salt and vinegar bath. This sounds disgusting, but this highly potent combination of salt and vinegar will work overtime in killing bacteria and fungi that are making your feet smell so badly you can’t stand your own feet. Combine 1/4 cup salt and 1/2 cup vinegar to a large bowl of warm water that you can fit both feet in. Soak your feet (the vinegar and salt will not injure or sting your feet so long as you have no open cuts or sores- if so, fore-go the treatment for now and stick with the teabag cure) for 30 minutes to effectively kill all the bacteria and fungi and rinse your feet with warm water once done to alleviate the vinegar smell.
Both of these foot baths work to cure foot odor by killing the bacteria and fungus that causes it and can be repeated every other day as necessary. There are also ways to mask odors during the day to prevent embarrassment until you can fully treat the foot odor itself.
Pour baking soda (odor neutralizer) into your shoes before leaving the house. Baking soda keeps the feet dry, battles the odor, and works to kill the bacteria and fungi. For added bacteria and fungi protection, add ten drops of lavender, tea tree, or lemon oil to each shoe. These oils not only smell lovely, but they naturally kill bacteria and fungi as well.
A dry foot is a non-smelly foot. Keep your feet dry with proper footwear and socks, and use a foot bath or natural oils (you can rub the aforementioned oils on your feet to battle odor as well) when you suspect odor, and you should be able to keep your stinky feet under control.
