Six Home Remedies for Foot Odor

No one wants smelly feet. But foot odor is a problem for many. And, while ordinary foot odor (foot odor that isn't caused by fungus, or another medical condition) isn't serious, it can definitely be embarrassing.

Here are some tips that will help you control or eliminate foot odor.

Wash away foot odor.

Relying on your daily bath or shower might not be enough. When possible, as soon as foot odor becomes noticeable, wash your feet in warm, soapy water.

Use deodorant to fight foot odor.

Yes, I mean the deodorant you use under your arms. The deodorant will help fight foot odor. And, if your feet have a tendency to sweat, which can make foot odor worse, a deodorant that contains an antiperspirant will also help to keep your feet dry.

Use a clear deodorant roll-on deodorant that won't leave a white residue on your feet or socks.

Change your shoes and socks.

If your feet are starting to smell, or they are all wet and sweaty, change your shoes and socks as soon as you can. The longer you wear sweaty shoes or socks, the greater the chances you'll have noticeable foot odor in a few hours.

If foot odor is a problem for you, always be prepared. Keep at least one extra pair of shoes at work or school, and carry several pairs of socks in your purse, backpack, or gym bag.

Prevent foot odor by keeping your feet dry.

Since sweat can cause or contribute to foot odor, you should try to keep your feet as dry as possible. Dust your feet with baby powder or foot powder before putting on your shoes and socks. The powder will absorb moisture.

What you wear on your feet can cause foot odor.

Certain shoes, like those made of leather, not only cause your feet to sweat, but hold moisture in, which can cause or contribute to foot odor. You're better of wear shoes that "breathe," like those made of canvas or nylon.

Use shoe inserts, like Odor-Eaters, that are designed to prevent or eliminate foot odor.

If you're shoes have picked up the odor from your feet, and you can't clean them, stop wearing those shoes, even if they are your favorite pair. If you don't want smelly feet, you don't want smelly shoes, either. Besides, the odor from the shoes could be transferred right back to your clean feet.

Soak your feet in tea.

Not only will the tannic acid found in tea kill the bacteria that causes foot odor, it will also keep your feet from sweating as much. And, the drier your feet are, the less you'll suffer from foot odor.

Boil two tea bags in a pint of water for fifteen minutes. Add the tea and two quarts of water to a foot bath. Then, soak your feet for about thirty minutes.

Repeat this treatment every day for one to two weeks, and you'll find that foot odor won't be as much of a problem for you.

Foot odor isn't a problem you have to learn to live with. With these home remedies, you can control, or even eliminate, your foot odor problem.