Which is worse: summer foot or winter foot?

Summer, hot weather, sweat, flats and slippers all day. With the high temperatures and feet exposed to dirt and sweat, it would be more logical to suppose that the bad smell in the feet increases with all these elements at stake.

To our surprise, however, it is in winter, in the confinement of socks and shoes, that the foot odor intensifies. Closed-toed shoes and thick socks don't allow sweat to be released - and that's a dish full of bacteria.

It is not the sweat itself that is to blame for the bad smell, since in its composition there is essentially water and mineral salts. What really causes the stench in the feet is the bacteria found in the skin, which feed on both sweat and the remains of dead skin, a result of the constant renewal of our skin.

When they feed themselves, bacteria produce gases, including isovaleric acid, which is responsible for that characteristic cheese smell we feel when someone unknowingly removes their shoes.

Choose the materials well

Depending on the type of shoe and sock you wear, you may be contributing to the stench intensifying. Organic materials - cotton, for example -, by absorbing sweat, are known to promote air exchange, letting the skin breathe without bacteria proliferating so freely.

Synthetic fabrics, such as nylon and polyester, do not absorb moisture and cause sweat to get stuck, literally suffocating inside the fibers of the fabric, making everything sour around you.

Shoes made of plastic, especially closed ones, such as wellington boots, are also a dish for bacteria on duty.

To try to have a smell of flowers on your feet and soften the odor, besides choosing the materials, it is important to keep your feet clean and avoid excessive sweating.

What to do?

In the end, what works for the underarm can also be effective for the feet: just keep a separate roll-on deodorant tube in the closet and always rub it on your feet before putting on your shoes.

You can use talc and antiperspirant formulas such as magnesia milk, a natural deodorant that, in addition to sucking moisture and neutralizing odors, can help replenish some magnesium, a very important micronutrient for our health.

However, it is necessary to have discretion in choosing what goes on in the body. Many deodorants and antiperspirants (or antiperspirants) contain aluminum in their formulation, and these components, even in topical use, can have toxic effects on the body due to continued use. Antiperspirants usually have the effect of blocking the pores, the way out of perspiration, causing us not to sweat.

While solving the problem of underarm and foot perspiration in the short term, this may not be a good long-term health alternative. Ideally, look for less aggressive and more natural solutions to soften our smells while maintaining well-balanced health and convenience.

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