Urgent consultation with our Obesity Doctor / Nutritionist may be needed if you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 29 or above which is considered in the Obese category as it may lead to the onset of many lifestyle illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis etc etc.
Embarassed of your smelly feet! Here are some ways to cure: Foot odour can be very unpleasant and embarrassing. Foot odour is caused by sweat mixed with bacteria from your skin. Some people sweat only during the hot months of the year, while others sweat year-round.
Hot, sweaty feet usually become stinky feet. And that’s pretty much impossible to avoid in the summer. Sweat by itself is odourless, but in contact with bacteria it begins to smell bad.
Bacteria thrive in hot, moist conditions and feed off the dead skin cells your feet shed. Some bacteria are known to eat away at the top layer of skin in severe cases. Shoes and socks are the perfect environment for sweat and bacteria to mingle, which is why it’s critical to maintain proper hygiene. You may not at first notice the odour, which may only be in your shoes. Eventually it may become hard for you and everyone else to ignore.
Most of the moisture our feet produce each day evaporates before it has a chance to attract bacteria. But if you wear socks and shoes that do not allow evaporation, the moisture gets trapped and the bacteria begin growing. Still, our footwear isn’t the only culprit; there are some additional causes of foot odour. These are:
Hyperhidrosis (sweaty feet)
Stress
Medication
Alcohol and drugs
Hormone changes, such as can be brought on by puberty or menopause
Poor hygiene
So now let’s find out the ways to tackle this embarrassing situation:
Wash your feet daily with soap and water and apply a zinc and castor oil cream daily after washing and drying the feet.
Keep your toenails trimmed and maintain hygiene.
When possible, wear sandals and let your feet breathe and moisture can evaporate from your feet. If you wear sneakers or other closed shoes, get yourself some “moisture-wicking” socks made from synthetic blends, they actually pull moisture away from your feet. Cotton socks absorb moisture which means you’ll just end up with soggy socks that can lead to stinky feet and blisters. You may even keep an extra pair in your bag and change them midway through the day if the situation is that bad.
Washing your feet with white vinegar will also help. Mix a cup of white vinegar in a gallon of lukewarm water and soak your feet for 15 to 30 minutes once or twice a day.
A drop or two of hand sanitizing gel or spray after washing also keeps bacteria away.
Dust on a thin coating of talcum powder, cornstarch or plain baking soda before slipping on socks and shoes to absorb wetness.
Don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day. Give shoes a chance to dry out between wearings. You can also use an odour-control foot powder in your shoes. Washable types of shoes can always be a good option.
Wash your socks regularly and before washing your socks turn them inside out to allow the dead flakes of skin to wash away more easily.
Consult a doctor if nothing works. Your dermatologist can prescribe more powerful antiperspirants for your feet.
Try these few points and forget the smell of your sweaty feet and the embarrassment too.
Authored by: Team, Health Sanctuary
