Each foot contains 250,000 sweat glands. In one day, each foot can produce more than a 240ml of sweat!
Sweat does not smell. It is the bacteria on our skin that feeds off our sweat, excreting waste which produces a strong odour.
The main reason some peoples feet smell worse than others is that some people perspire more providing more food for the bacteria.
Some tips to prevent excessive sweating and odour:
- Wash feet with strong anti-bacterial soap
- Don’t wear the same shoes everyday. Alternate between shoes giving 24 hours or more to air out in the sunshine before wearing them again
- Wear well-ventilated shoes preferably such as sandals instead of very constrictive shoes, such as boots.
- Always wear socks, preferably made of natural fibres such as bamboo, cotton, wool or other absorbent materials that absorb a lot of sweat.
- Change socks a few times each day.
- Buy absorbent Odour-Eater type shoe inserts.
- Apply an antiperspirant to your feet. That’s’ right, the same antiperspirant that is applied to under the arms can be applied to the feet or use a deodorizing foot powder that contains aluminium chloride hexahydrate which plugs the sweat pores preventing sweat being excreted onto the skin.
- Dust inside of shoes with corn starch.
- Soak feet in vinegar and water. Use one part white vinegar to 2 parts water in lukewarm water and soak for 10minutes. Remember vinegar will sting if there any cuts or abrasions on the feet.
