Before I even took off my shoes, I could smell the stink of feet...

There is an embarrassment called foot odor.

Especially when you need to take off your shoes when visiting someone else's house, or when you take off your shoes in public places...

As the temperature rises and the weather gets hotter, foot odor will become stronger and stronger, reaching its peak in the high temperatures of summer.

How can we make our feet smell fresh? Let's first understand how foot odor is formed.

What makes feet smell?

There are many sweat glands of varying numbers distributed on the surface of our skin. Their daily job is to output sweat and help the skin regulate body temperature.

There are more than 250,000 sweat glands on our feet. According to statistics, a normal adult's feet secrete dozens or even hundreds of milliliters of sweat every day. If collected, it can fill half a mineral water bottle.

There are many reasons for excessive sweating. Some are due to congenital autonomic dysfunction causing excessive excitement of the sympathetic nerves, and some are due to the stimulation of exercise.

As the intensity of exercise increases, the body will produce more heat and a large amount of metabolites - carbon dioxide and water. In order to maintain normal body temperature, the human body must dissipate excess heat by increasing sweating.

At the same time, bad eating habits can cause the body to show an acidic appearance, and an acidic constitution can also cause excessive sweating in the body. In addition to the above-mentioned reasons, the non-breathable daily shoes and socks are also a factor that cannot be ignored.

Image source: pexels

Many people have a misconception that foot odor is caused by excessive foot sweat.

In fact, foot sweat itself has no odor, but due to various reasons, our foot sweat cannot evaporate in time, and the foot environment becomes humid, and this environment will breed a large number of bacteria (usually Trichophyton is the most common), which constantly carry out metabolic activities on the feet, thereby producing propionic acid, sulfur and methyl mercaptan acid with a sour smell and a cheese taste.

These metabolites mixed together are the familiar smell of foot sweat. It can be said that bacteria + foot sweat are the two main causes of foot odor.

Foot odor ≠ athlete's foot

Many people think that foot odor is athlete's foot, but in fact there is no necessary connection between the two.

Smelly feet may be athlete's foot, but athlete's foot does not necessarily cause smelly feet.

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a skin disease caused by fungal infection. The biggest difference between it and foot odor is that the two can be contagious. It is also accompanied by the symptom of "itching" and requires medication.

Foot odor, like sweat and tears, is a physiological reaction that may occur in the human body, but the degree is different.

So don’t suspect someone is a football player just because they have smelly feet. (Chinese football: Don’t cue, thank you)

Image source: pexels

Let your feet return to freshness

Does the strong smell of feet make you feel embarrassed when visiting other people's homes? Having a pair of feet that smell "fresh" has become the most desired thing for many people with smelly feet.

The following points are worth taking a small notebook to write down~

First of all, it is crucial to wash your feet carefully every day. The gaps between the toes must be cleaned to prevent bacteria from creating a cradle. At the same time, don't forget to clean the dead skin on the soles of your feet regularly.

If you have the habit of soaking your feet, adding some ginger to the water can dilate capillaries and enhance blood circulation. It can not only cure foot odor but also help relieve fatigue. It can be said to kill two birds with one stone.

In addition, soaking your feet in tea can also relieve the occurrence of foot odor, which mainly relies on the powerful adsorption function of tea.

In addition, you can eat less foods that easily induce sweating, especially for people whose feet sweat easily, such as chili peppers, pepper, ginger, garlic, etc.

Spicy food will cause the body temperature to rise, and the body will maintain body temperature balance by secreting sweat. Eating less spicy food can help reduce sweating of the feet and thus control the occurrence of foot odor.

Image source: pexels

In daily life, we can wear some breathable shoes and match them with pure cotton sweat-absorbent socks.

Remember to change your socks in time after exercise to keep your feet dry. Put the shoes you take off in a ventilated environment. If outdoor conditions do not allow, you can also use a hair dryer to dry the shoes at home.

If the above methods are not applicable, then you need to go to the hospital for a check-up to see if you have "localized hyperhidrosis". As long as you follow the doctor's advice, foot odor can still be improved, and there is no need to worry too much.

Do you have someone with stinky feet? Can you describe the smell? (yue)

END

Review expert: Zhang Yuhong, deputy chief physician of dermatology, Zhengzhou Central Hospital affiliated to Zhengzhou University

Tadpole Musical Notation original article, please indicate the source when reprinting

Editor/Heart and Paper