While smelly feet are not a matter of life and death, they can cause worry and embarrassment for those with the condition. MayoClinic.com suggests a number of home treatments to minimize or eliminate foot odors, such as wearing wicking socks, changing your socks once or twice a day, taking your shoes off to dry your socks and feet, using antiperspirants on your feet and trying relaxation techniques like yoga or mediation to reduce sweating caused by stress. If these home remedies haven't worked for you, using boric acid is another remedy to try.
Causes of Odor
While sweating is a natural process and by itself contains only water and minerals, it can sometimes cause odor if conditions are right. The University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter explains that the proteins and fatty acids from some glands provide nourishment for bacteria to thrive. Likewise, the oils, dirt and flakes of skin from your feet also provide organic matter that the bacteria use for food.
Boric Acid
Boric acid is made from the mineral boron, from sodium salts and from oxygen, according to the National Cotton Batting Institute, or NCBI, which uses boric acid to make its products fire retardant. The acid occurs naturally in a variety of foods and is used industrially in soaps, antiseptics, glass and fiberglass, pesticides, wood preservatives and in rubber and silicone toys.
How Boric Acid Works
Boric acid kills bacteria and mold and inhibits their growth because it is both mildly toxic and acidic, according to the NCBI. Because it does have antiseptic properties, you'll also find the compound in contact lens solutions, baby powder and a variety of cosmetics.
Boric Acid and Feet
Products sold to combat athlete's foot disease and odor contain boric acid. Leah Hennen of The New York Times recommends looking for products containing sodium borate in the list of ingredients to find boric acid. Hennen pointed out in her 2005 article that while research has determined that such products containing boric acid are safe, that they might still cause skin irritations in babies and in people with sensitive skin.
Boric Acid and Shoes
Wash or soak your tennis shoes with a solution of 1/2 cup of borax, 1/2 cup of vinegar and 2 cups of water to kill lingering bacteria, according to Elissa Altman, editor of "Baking Soda, Banana Peels, Baby Oil and Beyond." Spray the same solution in a fine mist in non-washable shoes and let it dry completely before wearing the shoes. Altman cautions that straight borax is very toxic and shouldn't be used directly in the home.
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