Causes of bad foot odor (and how to get rid of it) & bull; hello healthy

Every day, you want to look perfect, in shiny shoes and well-groomed. However, what happens if you look your best, but it turns out that your feet smell bad? Of course all your efforts to look charming are in vain. Moreover, people are usually reluctant to tell you if you have a foot odor problem. To avoid this, you need to know the ins and outs of bad foot odor and how to prevent it.

What causes feet to smell bad?

Medically, the problem of foot odor is known as bromodosis . B romodosis This is a condition in which your feet sweat excessively and they become damp, especially when wearing shoes, resulting in a bad smell. Like the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet also have sweat glands that function to moisturize the skin and regulate body temperature, for example when the weather is hot or you are exercising. When sweat continues to be produced by the sweat glands in the feet, various bacteria will grow to break down the organic compounds in the sweat. This activity will produce an unpleasant aroma on the feet.

There are many things that can cause excessive sweaty feet. Generally, the problem of foot odor arises because the sweat that sticks to socks or shoes is not dried or replaced for more than one day. However, in some people, foot odor problems are caused by a more serious condition. The following are the risk factors.

1. Hormonal changes

In humans, hormonal changes can cause sweat production to increase. Hormonal changes can occur during puberty or during pregnancy. That is why teenagers, pregnant women, or patients with hormone therapy are more prone to developing odor problems.

2. Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which a person produces much more sweat than usual. These disorders are caused by various neurological or metabolic disorders.

3. Athlete's foot

This disease is caused by a fungal infection and can affect anyone, not only athletes. Athlete's foot is usually characterized by itching and dry, cracked skin on the feet. You also become susceptible to various other foot problems.

4. Stress

Stress will cause a variety of different responses in each person's body. Some may experience itching, stomach pain, breakouts, or dizziness. However, there are also some people who will sweat excessively on the palms of their hands and feet when under stress. This is because your body releases the stress hormone cortisol, which triggers the sweat glands to continue producing sweat.

How to get rid of bad foot odor

To get rid of bad foot odor, there are several ways you can try yourself at home.

• Soak your feet in warm water mixed with a saline solution for 15 to 20 minutes every day. Salt can help reduce sweat production in your feet. You can do this before bed so that your feet have a chance to "breathe" before putting on your shoes or socks again.
• Apply lavender essential oil on your feet and massage gently for a few minutes. Apart from giving a fresh scent to the feet, lavender has ingredients that can kill the bacteria that cause foot odor.
• Use a special foot scrub with antibacterial properties and rub it on your feet while massaging lightly. Do this regularly before showering and your feet will be free from dirt and bacteria that cause foot problems.

How to prevent bad foot odor

Prevention of foot odor problems must be done even if the problem of foot odor has been resolved or even though you have never experienced it. To maintain healthy feet, take care of your feet in the following ways.

• Don't wear the same socks or shoes for two days in a row because the sweat will still stick and contain various bacteria that cause foot odor problems.
• Spray deodorant or antiperspirant which is usually used for underarms, on your feet before putting on shoes or socks.
• Wash your feet thoroughly every day with an antibacterial and antifungal soap. After that, dry it thoroughly so that your feet, especially between your fingers, don't feel damp.
• Keep your shoes in a well-ventilated area. Let your shoes air out regularly, especially if you've been wearing them all day.
• Put in a few packs silica gel on each pair of shoes when stored. Silica gel which contains silicon dioxide is able to absorb moisture in the shoes and repel bad odors.