For the newbies, the KFB “Know your
health’ column is where we discuss health issues.
Today, we’ll be discussing how to get rid of ‘foot odour’.
Foot odour also known as bromodosis is a common problem faced by many
people all year round. This is caused due to the sweat build-up on your
feet – especially if you wear a
closed pairs of shoes. Although this condition is not serious, it can be
quite unpleasant and embarrassing. Here are a few natural remedies to
cure foot odour.
Foot wash
The easiest remedy to get
rid of smelly feet is to wash your feet so that it clears your soles off
the sweat and bacteria that thrive on it. Use warm water and a
deodorant soap to wash your feet daily. You can also try a black tea
footbath to do the same. To do so, allow two cups of tea bags to boil in
two cups of water for about 15 minutes. Now remove these tea bags and
dilute it with two quarts of water. After allowing it to cool down a
bit, soak your feet in this mixture for about 30 minutes.
Use talcum or a deodorant on your feet
If
the odour is not too bad, you can try dusting talcum powder or spraying
a deodorant on your feet before you put on your socks or shoes. This
will absorb the odour causing sweat.
Salt soak
An
Epsom salt soak acts as an astringent to decrease the sweat and kill
the bacteria. Combine two cups of Epsom salts in half a bucket of warm
water and soak your feet in it for 15 minutes daily.
Lavender oil foot massage
A lavender oil foot massage does not only smell good but it also helps kill bacteria. Use a few drops of lavender oil on your feet and massage them before you go to bed. You can also cover your feet with soaks so that your skin absorbs the oil better.
Powder your shoes
If you wear closed shoes often, it could cause foul foot odour. Sprinkle your shoes with baking soda or cornstarch before you wear them. These two ingredients can absorb the moisture and neutralise the smell.