Key Points at a Glance
- Especially in the summer, the body needs to sweat to cool down the skin and, consequently, the body temperature.
- But sweat doesn't just form in places where you can hide it—such as on the face, arms, and legs, or under the armpits—but also on the feet.
- Unpleasant odors tend to develop especially on the soles of the feet and between the toes.
- But what can you do about smelly feet, especially in the summer?
Unpleasant sweat odor doesn’t develop everywhere on the body. A film of sweat forms on the forehead or on the legs and arms, but we can wash or wipe it away regularly, so that sweat odor doesn’t have a chance to develop in the first place. It develops where large numbers of bacteria can accumulate over a long period of time, such as in the armpits—and in closed shoes. After all, you can’t change your blouse or shirt several times a day at the office or walk around barefoot—which, incidentally, would be the best protection, but is rarely compatible with the conventions of working life.
Creams for Smelly Feet
So what should you do if your feet smell? Let the day go by, and in the evening, once you’ve taken off your shoes, put your socks in the laundry and wash your feet? That’s one option. But it’s even better to prevent those nasty odors from forming in the first place—and that’s entirely possible with the right products, such as foot deodorant.
There are several options. Foot deodorant, for example, is also available as a cream. To prevent sweat odor, it is recommended to apply the cream to your feet in the evening, after thoroughly washing them. When applying the cream, pay particular attention to the spaces between your toes, rather than the soles of your feet. According to the manufacturer, a rice-grain-sized amount is sufficient to prevent that cheesy odor for at least four days.
Lotions and sprays to combat body odor
Like the cream, lotion helps combat body odor. However, its effectiveness lasts a bit shorter in this case; it’s estimated to last a maximum of three days. That’s still longer than with a spray, though.
However, one advantage of such a spray is that, in principle, you can use it anytime, anywhere—as long as you have a chance to quickly take off your shoes and socks. That should certainly be possible at some point during the day, even if it’s just for a moment when no one is watching in the office restroom. One way these sprays work is by cooling the feet to prevent unpleasant odors from forming in the first place. Another method is to spray the interior lining of the shoes to eliminate the sources of the bad odors that have settled there.
Take off your shoes whenever possible
If you work in a laid-back group of coworkers where things don’t always have to be so formal, you should turn to the best remedy for smelly feet there is: fresh air. Taking off your shoes (and socks) is by far the most effective way to combat sweaty feet and the development of unpleasant odors.
Washing your feet is still important, especially in the evening. If you sit on the balcony or patio—or go to bed—barefoot with unwashed feet, you’ll inevitably attract mosquitoes.
