8 Home Remedies To Help You Get Rid Of Foot Odor
By: Kratika Fri, 20 Jan 2023 5:09:15
Ayurveda recommends proven natural ways of treating Foot Odor or Bromodosis
Foot Odor or stinky feet is a very common medical condition. This condition is caused by a build-up of dead cells and sweat that breeds bacteria. It is the bacteria that cause a bad odor.
Other common conditions caused by fungal infections like athlete’s foot can also cause bromodosis. Bacteria and fungi thrive in moist areas of the body. So, it is important to keep your feet clean, dry, and well moisturized to keep these microbes at bay.
# Soak your feet in salt water
Soaking your feet in salt water not only relaxes your feet and eases your pain, but it also helps in treating your feet’ odor. Take a tub of warm water and add about ½ cup of Epsom salt. Soak your feet for 10-20 minutes and cleanse them with a pumice stone. The Epsom salt pulls out the dead skin from your skin and keeps your feet healthy.
# Try Vinegar soak sometimes
While soaking your feet in salt water is a great idea, trying a vinegar soak is also worth it. Vinegar helps remove bacteria from your feet which helps in controlling the bad odor. Take a tub of warm water and add apple cider vinegar or white vinegar to it. Soak your feet in it for 15-20 minutes. Scrub with a pumice stone and pat your feet dry with a soft towel.
# Exfoliate your feet with a scrub
Exfoliation of dead skin is very important to fight dry, rough, and cracked skin. You can use a scrub or a pumice stone to gently exfoliate the dead skin which breeds bacteria. Using a pumice stone 2 to 3 times a week can help avoid build-up. Avoid scrubbing too hard as it can harm your feet.
# Lavender Oil
Aromatherapy with essential oils promotes healing and wellness. But did you know it could cure your smelly feet too? Lavender oil has antibacterial properties that help kill the bacteria responsible for foot odor. In addition to that, lavender oil naturally smells good. Apply a few drops of lavender oil and massage your feet well.
# Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a natural and very effective tool to fight foot odor. Lemons are rich in citric acid that helps break down dead skin and calluses. It also contains potassium that helps moisturize the skin and keeps it supple. You can take two spoons of lemon juice and mix it with one spoonful of sugar. Scrub the mixture on your feet for a minute or two and rinse with warm water.
# Aromatic foot massage
Massaging your feet with aromatic essential oils like peppermint, tea tree essential oil, or eucalyptus essential oil can help in getting rid of feet odor. Peppermint essential oil has a soothing aroma and it is anti-inflammatory in nature. Tea tree oil has potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help fight the microbes causing nasty foot odor. Eucalyptus oil helps replenish the skin while killing odor-causing bacteria.
# Baking soda
Baking soda has an excellent capacity to absorb moisture and fight odors. It has an anti-microbial activity that has the ability to kill odor-causing bacteria. Add ¼ cup of baking soda to a tub of warm water and dip your foot in it for 15 minutes. It helps restore the pH balance of your feet and reduce bacteria. You can also squeeze a few drops of lemon juice for better results.
# Tea soak
One of the best home remedies for foot odor is soaking your feet in black tea decoction for about 30 minutes. Tea contains tannic acid that kills bacteria, closes the pores, and reduces sweat. This keeps your feet dry and odor-free. Green tea also works great in naturally cleansing your feet. Green tea is packed with vitamin E, vitamin C, and B vitamins. It has antioxidizing and anti-inflammatory properties that nourish and hydrate your feet.