The agony of smelly feet
June 8 - 14, 2004
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Smelly feet are not only embarrassing. They also cause discomfort to the victim. The feet and hands contain more sweat glands than any other part of the body (about 3,000 glands per square inch.) Therefore, they provide a ready supply of perspiration.
You are probably familiar with the phenomenon of sweaty palms, but sweat on your hands doesn�t produce the same strong odour as sweaty feet do. That is because your hands are usually exposed to the air so sweat has a chance to evaporate. Feet, however, are trapped inside shoes, trainers, gumboots etc, which provide nothing but hot and damp conditions encouraging perspiration. The perspiration moisture combines with the dark warmth to create a fertile ground for growth of bacteria that normally live on our skin. The more moisture there is, the more bacteria proliferate, generating more toxins and emissions which when combined with dirt cause foot odour. Smelly feet can also be caused by an inherited condition called hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating, which primarily affects males. Studies also show that stress, some medication, excess fluid intake and hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy and menstruation can also increase the amount of perspiration the body produces. Any attempt to reduce or cure foot odour has to address both the sweating and footwear. Here�s how you can go about it. Practice good foot hygiene to keep bacteria levels at a minimum. Wash your feet daily and thoroughly in lukewarm water and mild soap. Pay special attention to spaces between toes as these harbour dirt, perspiration and bacteria. Dry feet thoroughly. Avoid wearing closed or plastic shoes all the time. Open shoes and shoes made of leather, canvas or other materials that give your feet adequate aeration are recommended. Do not wear wet or damp shoes as these worsen the condition. Put them under the sun until they dry. Always wear socks when putting on closed shoes. Change socks on a daily basis. Have at least three different pairs (more if you can afford) to avoid running out of options. Wash your socks every after wear and make sure they are dry before you wear them. Avoid wearing nylon or woollen socks as they are heavy and encourage sweating. Light socks made out of cotton material are best as they absorb moisture away from feet. Some antibacterial ointments, antibiotic creams, antiperspirant sprays and foot powders may help but should only be used after the doctor�s prescription. Over the counter prescriptions could end up masking the odour but not treating the underlying cause. Soaking one�s feet in strong black tea for 30 minutes a day can also help. The tannic acid in the tea kills the bacteria and closes the pores, keeping your feet dry longer. Use four tea bags per litre of water and boil for 15 minutes. Cool until the mixture is lukewarm-cool and then immerse your feet. For best results, this should be done for a week or two. Source: Dr Joseph Turyabahika, Kampala Medical Chambers and Excerpts from The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Journal. | ||||
� 2004 The Monitor Publications
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