Cleveland Clinic podiatrist Joy Rowland explains that sour-smelling feet occur when moisture interacts with bacteria on the skin. “Bacteria actually eat the sweat, and it creates an acidic byproduct that smells like vinegar.”
feet have about 250,000 sweat glands that can Help regulate body temperature. “No wonder your soles get wet!”
The more your feet sweat, the stronger the vinegar smell. Controlling excessive sweating is important. The sweat glands may be overworked if the person: is an athlete or exercises regularly, has a condition that causes excessive sweating, suffers from: hyperhidrosis which is when you sweat excessively, The person works in high humidity or outside environment.
Vinegar is one such product that is used in the kitchen.
how to get rid of vinegar smell on feet
Experts point out that there are different forms of power Combat odor with this vinegar on feet. One of them is to wash your feet daily. “Make sure you dry them really well, especially between the toes.”
The second is to apply a daily dose of medicated talc. For feet, as it helps to absorb excess moisture in the skin when wearing socks and shoes. “Cotton can trap moisture, so you should choose cotton socks that specifically say they are moisture wicking.”
Shoes and socks should be changed from time to time, so that they do not smell bad. Shoes made from breathable natural fibers such as leather, canvas and suede are a Best way to avoid sweating feet.
“Avoid shoes that contain a lot of plastic or rubber,” Dr. Rowland says. “They make your feet wetter because they trap sweat inside the shoe.”
Antiperspirants aren’t just for underarms, they also help keep them dry and smelling fresh. “That way, you’re covering all the sweaty areas on your feet that can interact with bacteria.”
fight vinegar with vinegar
white vinegar kills bacteria, That’s why experts suggest that soaking them in a mixture of warm water and white vinegar for 10 to 20 minutes can help. He suggests mixing 1 to 2 cups of white vinegar with one gallon of warm water.
You can also spray inside the shoes An over-the-counter disinfectant spray. “Mist them lightly and let them sit for about 24 hours before use. This will help reduce the bacterial load inside the shoe,” says Dr. Rowland.
“It can also prevent fungal infections , everyone has bacteria and skin fungus. But it’s our job to keep it under control so it doesn’t get too big.”
In the case of podiatrists, they may recommend prescription products that reduce sweating and bacteria. They can also determine whether there is vinegar foot odor. It’s a result of something else, so you can cure it with the right treatment.
With information from the Cleveland Clinic.
