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November 7, 2024
Foot odor is a frustrating problem; it goes to show that non-painful foot conditions can be as life altering as painful ones. There are many foot odour myths floating around the internet. In this article, we'll break down some of the most common foot odour myths, and give you the facts about foot odour causes and how to prevent it.
6 Myths About Foot Odour:
Only People With Sweaty Feet Have Foot Odour
Foot Odour Always Means You Have a Serious Health Condition
All Foot Odour Smells the Same
Going Barefoot Helps Eliminate Odour
If You Have Foot Odour, you Aren’t Showering or Bathing
Foot Odour Only Happens in Hot Weather
Myth 1: Only People With Sweaty Feet Have Foot Odour
Foot odour, also known as bromodosis, is the unpleasant smell that comes from the feet due to a combination of sweat and bacteria. The feet have numerous sweat glands, which produce moisture to regulate temperature and prevent skin from drying out. Plantar hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessively sweaty feet. Sweat is a major contributor to foot odour and provides the moisture needed for it to thrive, however, other factors are also at play.
The Main Causes of Foot Odour
General bacterial buildup and everyday life! (wearing shoes all day long, etc).
Fungal infections: Conditions like athlete’s foot can lead to odour as fungi produce waste products during growth.
Diet: Certain foods, like garlic and onions, can affect sweat composition and lead to a noticeable foot odour.
Health conditions: Conditions other than plantar hyperhidrosis can cause foot odour, including diabetes, particularly when ulcers and wounds omit a strong smell. Other conditions include thyroid disorders (they may cause excessive sweating) or kidney and liver issues.
Footwear material: Shoes made from non-breathable materials trap even normal sweat production, increasing moisture and bacterial growth. Preventing foot odour often means choosing breathable, waterproof shoes.
Hormonal changes: Puberty, pregnancy, or menopause can contribute to foot odour.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1aaNATnXvWw
Foot Odour Myth # 2: Foot Odour Always Means You Have a Serious Health Condition
It’s true that one of the causes of foot odour can be an underlying health condition, but that doesn't mean it's serious. The most common cause of foot odour is a general build up of sweat and bacteria that you can tackle yourself.
Foot odour is often caused by everyday factors like wearing shoes made from non-breathable materials or not changing socks frequently enough. In most cases, simple steps like improving hygiene, airing out shoes, or using foot deodorants (sprays, powders or creams) can help control the smell.
While it's important to be mindful of persistent odour or other accompanying symptoms, the vast majority of foot odour issues are easily managed with at-home care and do not indicate a serious health condition.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aFdZ042koME
Foot Odour Myth # 3: All Foot Odour Smells the Same
Foot odour can vary significantly based on several factors, including the underlying cause, personal hygiene, diet, and the type of bacteria or fungi present. For example, open wounds and sores will smell different than smelly, sweaty shoes. Here are some common smells:
Sour: Often caused by bacteria breaking down sweat, resulting in lactic acid production.
Musty: May be associated with fungal infections or warm, moist environments.
Vinegar-like: Often linked to sweat and potentially neglectful hygiene.
Ammonia: May indicate dehydration or a dietary imbalance.
Rotten: This odour can be a sign of a more serious infection.
Foot Odour Myth 4: Going Barefoot Helps Eliminate Odour
While going barefoot might seem like a good idea for reducing foot odour, it can actually have the opposite effect in some cases. While it’s always good to air out your feet, going barefoot outside exposes your feet to various surfaces that may harbour bacteria and fungi. Walking on dirty or damp surfaces can lead to the accumulation of these microorganisms, potentially worsening foot odour. In fact, foot fungus (one of the most common causes of foot odour) is often caused by walking barefoot in public places.
Additionally, sweat can still pool in the crevices of your feet without socks and shoes, allowing bacteria to thrive. Instead of eliminating odour, going barefoot may introduce new sources of smell. Wearing breathable footwear and moisture-wicking socks and changing them regularly is a much better idea.
Myth 5: If You Have Foot Odour, You Aren’t Showering or Bathing
This is completely untrue since foot odour is often linked to other conditions like plantar hyperhidrosis and fungal infections. Therefore, foot odour is is a symptom rather than a cause. It also often develops throughout the day, so you can shower every morning and still experience smelly feet when you get home at night.
That said, you should pay more attention to foot-specific hygiene and clean your feet frequently. Check out this blog article on foot hygiene tips to learn what to do.
Myth 6: Foot Odour Only Happens in Hot Weather
Foot odour is commonly associated with hot weather, but it can occur year-round, regardless of the temperature. While warm conditions can exacerbate sweating and create a breeding ground for bacteria, factors such as personal hygiene, footwear choice, and lifestyle also play significant roles in foot odour.
For example, wearing insulated shoes in fall or winter weather can trap moisture and heat, leading to odour even when temperatures are low. Additionally, individuals who sweat excessively—regardless of the season—are more likely to experience foot odour. Therefore, it’s essential to maintain proper foot care and hygiene practices throughout the year to prevent odour, not just during the warmer months.
May 23, 2024
One thing many of us forget about until it hits is the annoyance of having hot feet in the summer. The blazing sun, your enclosed running shoes, and spending hours outside can really crank up the heat on your feet, making them feel downright uncomfortable. That's where summer foot care comes in handy. You'll definitely want some cooling foot treatments ready for when your feet get hot, and luckily, we’ve got you covered.
Best Summer Foot Care Cooling Foot Treatments
Foot Soaks
Foot Creams
Foot Gels / Aloe Vera
Cold Towel Wraps
Ice Packs
Foot Ice Pack Wrap
Foot Massagers
Cold Water Soaks
Foot Soaks
On a hot summer day, refreshing foot soaks are always the way to go! Prepare your foot bath with relaxing lukewarm water (hot water can be damaging to the skin, and your feet are too warm for that anyway!) and add your foot soak product of choice for added benefits. Try Gehwol’s Herbal Foot Bath for the most well-rounded experience! This will also soothe tired, aching feet.
Foot Gels / Aloe Vera
Gels may also be exactly what your stifled feet need. You can try gels with aloe vera, which is naturally hydrating due to its high water content. Aloe vera also evaporates quickly when applied to the skin, providing fast relief.
Cold Towel Wraps
Sometimes you have exactly what you need waiting for you at home! To cool down, soak a towel in cold water, wring it out, and wrap it around your feet. This method is simple and can be very refreshing.
Foot Creams
One of the best foot pampering tips is moisturizing your feet with high-quality creams. Not only do these products protect against dry skin, foot odour, calluses, corns, cracked heels, and more, but the cream also has a pleasant cooling effect. Look for creams with eucalyptus or menthol, which both have added cooling and soothing capabilities. Gehwol’s Extra Universal Foot Cream contains those two additional ingredients.
Ice Packs
Ice packs aren’t just for pain relief! You can use a cold ice pack, gel pack, or frozen water bottle to cool your feet during the hot summer days and nights. Wrap these items in a towel first to avoid making a mess!
Foot Ice Pack Wrap
These are essentially ice packs that cover your whole foot and have the appearance of a shoe, slipper or ankle brace. They may work for cooling hot feet, but also treating painful foot conditions.
Foot Massagers
Some electric foot massagers come with a cooling option that can help relax and cool your feet simultaneously. To get the same effect, you can use a small fan and position it so it faces your feet!
Cold Water Soak
Foot baths are generally used with warm to lukewarm water, but combining cold water with Epsom salt or your favourite foot soak product in a basin can have a more cooling effect than warm water, the latter of which is better suited for boosting blood circulation and pain management.
May 9, 2024
One often overlooked but crucial aspect of personal hygiene is foot care. Your feet carry you through countless activities but don't always receive the attention they deserve when it comes to cleanliness. In this article, we delve into the importance of foot hygiene and tips for keeping feet clean and healthy. From simple daily practices to preventing infections, we’ll explore this aspect of foot health care together.
Wash Your Feet Daily
First thing’s first, lather up your feet! Use mild soap every day to wash your feet either on their own or while in the shower or bath tub. This not only eliminates dirt and keeps your feet feeling fresh, but if you come in contact with tinea pedis soap and water may be able remove the fungus before it becomes athlete’s foot.
Keep Your Feet Dry
If you fail to keep your feet dry you’re welcoming a wide array of issues. Not only does moisture cause foot odour, but it also creates the type of environment foot fungi love and thrive in. It also leads to skin maceration, blisters, cracking, and peeling. Give your feet a good dry with a nice soft towel. Pay extra attention to the hard-to-reach areas in between the toes, and to go the extra mile, let them bask in the air or in front of a fan.
Moisturize Your Feet
Moisturizing hydrates the feet and fights excessively dry skin. When your skin is too dry it can create fissures and cracks that welcome dirt. So, while keeping your feet dry is essential, remember not to overdo it and turn them into the Sahara Desert!
Wear Clean Socks and Rotate Footwear
Keeping your feet cooped up in dirty socks is a recipe for persistent foot odour and moisture. For the ultimate foot refresh while on the go, change your socks throughout the day.
This also applies to your footwear, especially for less breathable shoes. To avoid having to change your footwear all the time, look for light runners and walkers with perforated holes that let fresh air in and out.
Trim Your Toenails
You may be wondering what your toenails have to do with foot hygiene. Trimmed toenails are less likely to harbour dirt and fungus, while also looking great! Jagged edges and too-long nails can also pierce your socks, which ruins their protective purpose. Learn how to trim your nails like a pro here.
Protect Your Feet in Public Areas
Swimming pools, locker rooms, communal showers — you’re putting yourself at risk of contracting a fungal infection if you frequent these places. If you can’t avoid them, protect your feet with shower shoes and flip flops to keep funky fungi at bay!
March 21, 2024
Foot hygiene and solid foot care tips are your secret weapons for happy and healthy feet! Everyone should practice a clean and healthy foot routine, but those with foot conditions such as diabetes or chronic fungal infections should be extra vigilant. Today we’ll talk about the best foot cleaning practices and how to implement them into your daily foot care routine.
Foot Health Essentials: How to Keep Your Feet Clean and Protected
Foot hygiene is pretty straightforward stuff! But you may make some minor missteps along the way. Take a look below at the best ways to wash, dry and moisturize your feet.
Washing Your Feet
Wash your feet daily with natural, gentle soaps in warm water. Hot water can negatively impact your blood circulation by increasing the size of the blood vessels, so be careful with temperatures.
Moisturizing Your Feet
Use lotion on the bottom and top of your feet. This can help you prevent calluses, corns, cracked heels, and more. Natural, fragrance-free and medicinal lotions are your best bet (try Gehwol at Feet First Clinic!). If you have diabetes, be extra careful to avoid putting lotion in between your toes; it could cause an infection depending on the lotion. Fungal infections also favour wet toes and tend to appear there.
Keeping Your Feet Dry
Thoroughly dry your feet after washing them. If you get lazy and keep them damp, you are again more likely to attract contagious fungal infections (they love moist environments!).
Invest in products that help manage foot dampness and repel excess moisture. These include moisture-wicking socks (also remember to change your sock frequently!), waterproof shoes and boots, running shoes with perforated holes in the uppers, and various foot deodorant products (creams, powders, sprays). These products are also great for preventing foot odour.
Toenail Care and Foot Hygiene
Keeping your nails in top shape is an important element of foot hygiene. Follow these nail care tips to protect your nails and keep them clean and strong.
Cut your nails straight across with high-quality nail clippers. Don’t try to shape them during this stage!
Avoid cutting your nails too close to the skin; this will cause ingrown toenails.
Gently use a nail file for subtle shaping.
Don’t try to cut your own cuticles if you’re prone to infections. They protect the nails and getting rid of them improperly may welcome fungi.
Schedule a medical pedicure for professional care and a cleaning of hard-to-reach areas.
January 8, 2024
Here’s a scenario: you’re in a room with friends or family, and all of a sudden, you notice someone’s feet aren’t smelling too fresh. Could it be you? And if yes, what could be causing this? While foot odour can be an embarrassing revelation, you can tackle smelly feet by paying attention to your foot hygiene. And if your foot odour presents a more complex challenge, there are additional measures you can take to address the issue.
Causes of Smelly Feet
Most of the time, foot odour is the result of forgetting foot hygiene and keeping your feet cooped up in socks and shoes all day while working, exercising or walking for long periods. This will lead to a build up of sweat and bacteria.
This is actually good news, because it means you can take steps towards preventing foot odour without additional treatments. That said, in some cases, foot odour is more perplexing, and may be connected to the following conditions or risk factors:
Fungal infections like athlete’s foot. Bacteria can feed on the dry, flaky skin that accumulates, producing a pungent smell.
Plantar hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). This is when your sweat glands produce more sweat than average.
Diabetes (festering foot ulcers may cause foot odour).
Risk factors like being overweight can cause you to sweat more than average. Additionally, eating a high-carb diet can exacerbate fungal and bacterial growth.
Lastly, the strength of the odour may be a sign of the cause. For example, the "typical foot odour smell" tends to be vinegar-like, sour, or smell slightly like stinky cheese. Foot fungus can be similar, but it may be much more pungent. Wound odour (like from a severe diabetic ulcer) can be more distinct and indescribable.
Remedies for Foot Odour
Let's be honest, it's unlikely that your feel will smell like a bouquet of roses 24/7 (although sometimes they will after a nice self-care session!). But what you can do is limit foot odour and prevent your feet from omitting a strong smell. Here are some of the better treatments:
Studies show that antimicrobial essential oils can fight smelly feet. Many hygienic foot products are made with antimicrobial agents.
Use foot deodorants, specifically from medicinal brands like Gehwol. They typically come in various forms, including sprays and powders, and they work by absorbing excess moisture on the feet and neutralizing odour, leaving your feet smelling and feeling fresh.
Try moisture wicking socks, and change your socks a couple of times during the day.
Wash your feet daily with soap and water, and don't ignore your feet while you shower.
Make sure your feet are perfectly dry (where safe around the home) after washing and before putting on socks and shoes, especially in between the toes. Bacteria often thrive in moist environments.
Wear breathable running shoes while exercising. Many shoes have uppers with perforated material that let fresh air in and out, promoting a healthy foot environment.
Replace the insoles of the running shoes
To prevent fungal nail infections that lead to unpleasant foot odour, attend regular medical pedicure treatments. These will keep your nails clean and properly trimmed.
If you have Diabetes, make sure you attend regular diabetic foot care appointments.
If your foot odour is caused by a fungal infection, you will need to treat it with the appropriate anti-fungal medicines (ointments, pills, etc). Keep in mind that if your foot odour is linked to a condition you should also make an appointment with a chiropodist to confirm the best treatment method.
December 15, 2022
Holiday shopping can feel like a daunting ordeal that takes away from the fun. Your list is long, and you don't have ideas for some people --- which is okay! But it doesn't have to cause so much stress. When you're stuck on what gift to get for your grandparents, friends, and other relatives, medical gifts may inspire you more than you realize. The health and wellness industry is known for producing excellent products, opening your mind to many gift options.
Gifts that promote foot health can help those with debilitating foot issues. But they can also help prevent foot conditions before they develop. And they're simply fun to use. We're talking foot creams, scrubs, and other luxurious products fit for a spa session!
The gifts we'll discuss today focus on skincare; they shine on their own and work well as stocking stuffers. But the best way to gift products from a foot care clinic is by compiling a foot care gift set! It's fun to try more than one product, and it gives loved ones the tools for a great self-care day. Let's take a look at our top picks!
Foot Care and Medical Gifts: Gift Guide 2022
Below is a general overview of the products in our gift guide. But don't worry, we'll cover all the details.
Bath products
Scrubs, creams, and deodorants
Leg balms
Dermal therapy heel care
Foot Bath Products
Products like Gehwol's Revitalizing Bath Salt and their Refreshing Foot Bath are underrated and affordable medical gifts. They're suitable for people of all ages and help loosen and soothe dry skin.
But they do even more for the body than you may realize. First, foot bath products combined with hot water help promote healthy blood flow, which can relieve pain from foot conditions like plantar fasciitis, bunions, etc. They can also warm your overall body temperature, which alleviates muscle tension, reduces stress, and may help prevent sickness or fight flu symptoms by strengthening your natural immunity (perfect for the winter!).
Helpful tip: It's best to start a spa session by bathing your feet, as it leaves a clean base for exfoliation and moisturizing by washing away bacteria and dirt.
Scrubs, Creams and Deodorants
Foot Scrubs
Many bath products prep the feet for exfoliation by softening the skin. But gifting someone an additional exfoliation product will take your medical gift game to the next level. Exfoliation tools prevent itchy, flaky dead skin from building up while simultaneously unclogging your pores. Gehwol's Soft Feet Scrub is a nice gift choice. Moreover, you can toss an affordable foot file into your gift box to buff the skin.
Foot Creams
To restore the skin's natural barrier functions, you should always moisturize after soaking and exfoliating. Gehwol's Soft Feet Cream, Universal Foot Cream, and Med Lipidro Cream are just a few examples of medicinal moisturizers that work wonders. So why not gift them to someone you love? They'll get to enjoy smooth skin and fewer cracks and calluses.
If your loved one already has severely painful cracked heels, try gifting them Gehwol's Med Salve for Cracked Skin or Dermal Therapy Heel Care instead.
Foot Deodorants
Deodorants are useful to have on hand. Moreover, they fit in nicely with a foot care gift set but can also hold their own amongst other stocking stuffers. Regarding health benefits, foot deodorants (sprays, powders, etc.) can fight foot odour and target plantar hyperhidrosis (excessive foot sweating). The latter is extra common in winter as we stuff our feet into warm winter boots.
Leg Balms
Many of our elderly loved ones suffer from lower leg issues and have mobility problems. Likewise, if your grandparents struggle to move freely, it can lead to neglect, and problems like skin irritation and severe blood flow restriction can arise.
A good gift for grandparents is a high-quality leg balm. Gehwol's Leg Balm prevents leg ailments, slows skin aging, and can even strengthen your veins. Gehwol's Fusskraft Leg Vitality also refreshes tired legs.
But again, don't assume medical gifts are just for your grandparents. Many young people credit Gehwol's leg products for helping with tired achy legs after a long day.
While this product doesn't necessarily scream "spa day," it still works as a part of a general foot care routine. So feel free to include it in a gift box or use it as a standalone present for someone who will cherish it.
Dermal Therapy Heel Care
Hopefully, it's becoming clear that medical gifts can be more valuable than gifts that sit around collecting dust. And Dermal Therapy Heel Care is one of, if not the best, medicinal products.
Cracked heels have the potential to burden everyone, from your best friend to your grandmother --- dry skin doesn't discriminate! Severely cracked heels can make walking almost unbearable and cause swelling, inflammation, and bleeding. So if you're catching wind that someone you love is suffering, why not brighten their holidays by gifting them some relief?
Dermal Therapy helps skin cells deep below the surface absorb and lock in moisture, which fights cracked heels. This cream is a moisturizer and exfoliator that removes dead cells, revealing fresh, young skin.
