Man oh man I am not sure if it is in my head or what but this year seems to be an extremely BAD for stinky feet syndrome in the house!
I normally only notice this as a problem in the summer months when it is hot but this year MAN my front hall closet is needing to be consistently sprayed between the teenagers shoes and my spouses shoes plus 5 active boys in the daycare ... man oh man! Thank heavens for doTERRA®
Understanding what 'causes' stinky feet can help to create an action plan to have ones home smelling peachy keen verses the gagging like you've never seen!
The function of sweat glands is to keep the skin moist and therefore supple, and to regulate temperature when the weather is hot or while you are exercising.
There are more sweat glands in our feet than anywhere else in the body.
However, unlike sweat glands elsewhere in the body, the sweat glands in
the feet secrete ALL the time, not just in response to heat or
exercise.
Feet smell when bacteria on the skin break down sweat as it comes from the pores. A cheesy smell is released as the sweat decomposes.
The main causes of sweaty and smelly feet are:
- Wearing the same shoes every day. Feet become smelly if sweat soaks into the shoes and you wear them again before they are dry.
- Poor personal hygiene.
- Hormonal changes can cause feet to sweat more, so teenagers and pregnant women are especially prone.
- If you are stressed.
- A condition called hyperhidrosis, which causes you to sweat more than usual.
So what's the Solution?
- If you are a loved one are prone to stinky feet it helps to wash your feet DAILY to reduce the bacteria on the surface for the sweat to activate ~ even if you do not want to have to have a full shower engaging in a nice foot soak can help. Adding some Epsom salts and lavender and tea tree essential oil to a pan of water and soaking for 10-15 minutes offers nice relief of not only order but muscle tiredness as well.
- Choose your socks wisely ... certain fabrics can work to trap sweat an increase bacteria growth and therefore smell ... cotton, hemp and other breathable fabrics work better than nylon and synthetic fibers for breathing!
- Rotate your footwear ... shoes not having time to dry out can be a major cause of stinky feet syndrome a the constantly wet/damp insoles are a breeding ground for bacteria. If you cannot rotate footwear than helping to ensure they have time to DRY can by making use of a boot/shoe dryer!
- In a pinch and do not have time to let them dry or use a boot dryer ~ cornstarch will absorb moisture you can sprinkle some in and away you go!
- Use a 'deodorizing spray' in your shoes ... if you want a clean and natural do it yourself option try a few drops of tea tree oil with 1/4 cup of witch hazel in a spray bottle! It provides a nice deodorizing as well as anti fungal spray!
- Make sure it is not something MORE than just stinky feet! Sometimes fungus and other issues can be going on with your feet ~ if you are seeing changes to the actual 'skin' on your loved ones feet consult a DR to determine what you are dealing with and advice on treatment! Athlete's Foot is the most common foot concern. This is one of our favorite go to supports for that
Do have trusted natural stinky feet solutions that I missed? Please feel free to add them in the comment section.
Have an amazing day!
Margaret
Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much
Be Totallyawake4-life
What Are the Causes of Stinky Feet?
The problem isn't your feet – it’s what your feet are wearing. Smelly
feet is primarily caused from of a lack of ventilation for your feet.
Each foot has more than 250,000 sweat glands, producing more than a pint
of sweat in one day. That's a lot of moisture to keep pressed against
your feet! People get smelly feet when the perspiration has no where to
evaporate – but it is not the sweat that causes the foot odor. Bacteria
that lives on the skin eats the feet’s sweat, producing isovaleric acid,
causing the odor.
Athlete's Foot,
which is a skin infection caused by a fungus, can also cause smelly
feet. Other factors that can cause smelly feet include certain
medications, some diseases, poor hygiene, harsh environments, wearing
poor-quality shoes and over-wearing shoes.
How To Prevent Smelly Feet
You can prevent smelly feet by reducing the amount of sweat captured
in your shoes. Wear well-made shoes with breathable features, such as
leather uppers or athletic shoes with mesh uppers. The
socks
you wear are also important – wear socks made with copper, wool, cool
max or other moisture-wicking fibers to ensure ventilation. Some arch
support insoles maybe have anti-bacterial or other odor-eating top
covers that can help prevent smelly feet. Wash your body every day, and
if you have a history of foot odor, clean your feet with an
anti-bacterial soap. Wear shoes for the occasion and place. Excessive
amounts of sweat will increase your chances for getting smelly feet, so
do not wear thick socks, boots and pants if you know it will be hot
outside. Do not wear the same shoes every day. Buy a variety of
high-quality shoes so you can give each pair of shoes about 24 hours
before you wear them again. Don't be embarrassed by your feet – be sure
to keep your feet dry, clean and cool to prevent smelly feet.
Treatment for Stinky Feet
You can find stinky feet treatment products on our Smelly Feet and
Foot Odor Remedies page. We highly suggest you wear moisture wicking
socks to get rid smelly feet, as well as shoes made of high-quality,
breathable materials, such as leather or mesh. Shop our
healthy socks
made of CoolMax, wool anti-bacterial and copper materials that will
reduce foot odor. There are many different remedies for treating stinky
feet, and if none of the following work for you, you should consult a
doctor. Wash your feet with antifungal foot soap and wash your body
every day to reduce bacteria and odor. You can also use antibacterial
foot powder on your feet, Athlete's Foot cream or spray antifungal shoe
spray inside your shoes. An easy and clean way to keep your shoes dry
and odor-free is to put shoe inserts inside your shoes after you wear
them. Some insoles have anti-odor or anti-microbial top covers, and
those can help eliminate smelly feet. A great treatment for stinky feet
that many people turn to are perspiration absorbent footbed liners – we
sell
Summer Soles shoe liners for men and women.
- See more at: http://www.healthyfeetstore.com/smelly-feet-information.html#sthash.3K4dfM0a.dpuf
What Are the Causes of Stinky Feet?
The problem isn't your feet – it’s what your feet are wearing. Smelly
feet is primarily caused from of a lack of ventilation for your feet.
Each foot has more than 250,000 sweat glands, producing more than a pint
of sweat in one day. That's a lot of moisture to keep pressed against
your feet! People get smelly feet when the perspiration has no where to
evaporate – but it is not the sweat that causes the foot odor. Bacteria
that lives on the skin eats the feet’s sweat, producing isovaleric acid,
causing the odor.
Athlete's Foot,
which is a skin infection caused by a fungus, can also cause smelly
feet. Other factors that can cause smelly feet include certain
medications, some diseases, poor hygiene, harsh environments, wearing
poor-quality shoes and over-wearing shoes.
How To Prevent Smelly Feet
You can prevent smelly feet by reducing the amount of sweat captured
in your shoes. Wear well-made shoes with breathable features, such as
leather uppers or athletic shoes with mesh uppers. The
socks
you wear are also important – wear socks made with copper, wool, cool
max or other moisture-wicking fibers to ensure ventilation. Some arch
support insoles maybe have anti-bacterial or other odor-eating top
covers that can help prevent smelly feet. Wash your body every day, and
if you have a history of foot odor, clean your feet with an
anti-bacterial soap. Wear shoes for the occasion and place. Excessive
amounts of sweat will increase your chances for getting smelly feet, so
do not wear thick socks, boots and pants if you know it will be hot
outside. Do not wear the same shoes every day. Buy a variety of
high-quality shoes so you can give each pair of shoes about 24 hours
before you wear them again. Don't be embarrassed by your feet – be sure
to keep your feet dry, clean and cool to prevent smelly feet.
Treatment for Stinky Feet
You can find stinky feet treatment products on our Smelly Feet and
Foot Odor Remedies page. We highly suggest you wear moisture wicking
socks to get rid smelly feet, as well as shoes made of high-quality,
breathable materials, such as leather or mesh. Shop our
healthy socks
made of CoolMax, wool anti-bacterial and copper materials that will
reduce foot odor. There are many different remedies for treating stinky
feet, and if none of the following work for you, you should consult a
doctor. Wash your feet with antifungal foot soap and wash your body
every day to reduce bacteria and odor. You can also use antibacterial
foot powder on your feet, Athlete's Foot cream or spray antifungal shoe
spray inside your shoes. An easy and clean way to keep your shoes dry
and odor-free is to put shoe inserts inside your shoes after you wear
them. Some insoles have anti-odor or anti-microbial top covers, and
those can help eliminate smelly feet. A great treatment for stinky feet
that many people turn to are perspiration absorbent footbed liners – we
sell
Summer Soles shoe liners for men and women.
- See more at: http://www.healthyfeetstore.com/smelly-feet-information.html#sthash.3K4dfM0a.dpuf
