Foot sweating is one of the most annoying and persistent problems many people face. Indeed, it is truly unpleasant to feel dampness on your feet all year round — whether in the cold winter or the hot summer — along with the strong, often embarrassing odor that comes with it. The truth is, our soles have a huge number of sweat glands, and due to the growth and spread of bacteria in that moist environment, the sweat begins to smell bad.
Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to reduce the number of sweat glands themselves — they’re simply there — but we can definitely get rid of the unpleasant smell. And following the advice of specialists is not as difficult as it might seem.
The simplest way to eliminate the bad odor is to wash your feet frequently. This might sound obvious — how hard can it be? — yet some people completely neglect their feet, even forgetting to wash them properly during showers. As a result, many bacteria remain on the soles of their feet.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s important to wash your feet several times a day, preferably with cold water, even during the winter months. Before putting on your shoes and heading outside, make sure your feet are thoroughly washed and completely dry. Then, apply some fragrant talcum powder to your feet — it absorbs moisture and protects your skin from damage.
What Traditional Medicine Suggests for Foot Sweating
I want to share a traditional remedy for foot sweating that worked wonders for me. This problem bothered me a lot when I was younger and became especially severe during my time in the military. On top of the sweating, I also developed a fungal infection, which often occurs as a complication in such cases. These two problems are closely linked, but luckily, they can be dealt with easily and inexpensively.
Here’s what you need to do:
First, wash your feet thoroughly and dry them completely. Then, take a cotton swab, soak it in 3% or 5% iodine solution, and apply it by rubbing it between your toes and about 3-4 centimeters above the toes on the surface of your feet. It’s best to perform this procedure every evening. After just a few sessions, the sweating problem will be gone for a year or two. Personally, I got rid of the problem after only three treatments.
Doctor’s Comment
Iodine is a powerful antiseptic. The main problem with sweaty feet is the unpleasant odor, which causes a lot of embarrassment and discomfort. The odor is caused by the decomposition process that happens due to bacteria living on the skin. That’s why hygiene is extremely important — regular washing with soap and antiseptic solutions makes a huge difference.
Iodine kills the bacteria on the surface of the skin, thereby eliminating the smell caused by sweat. So, using iodine as part of your foot care routine helps keep the odor at bay and provides lasting relief from this common problem.
