How you can fight smelly feet

Jun 06, 2008

FOR Robert Baguma, a business man in Kampala, his feet began smelling when he was still in secondary school.<br>Baguma said he finds it a problem to remove his shoes when he visits his friends. Although the condition is painless, the smell is very unpleasant; the doctor told him he was suffering fr

By Godwin Ayesiga

FOR Robert Baguma, a business man in Kampala, his feet began smelling when he was still in secondary school.
Baguma said he finds it a problem to remove his shoes when he visits his friends. Although the condition is painless, the smell is very unpleasant; the doctor told him he was suffering from Tinea Pedis.

What is Tinea Pedis?

Dr. Simuya Charles of Mulago Skin Clinic describes it as a fungal infection that occurs due to a combination of excessive sweat and heat that result into weakening of the skin between the toes, giving room for a bacterial infection that causes smelly feet. Simuya adds that smelly feet are more common in males than females. He adds that many people wrongly associate it with syphilis.

Dr. Fred Kambugu, a skin consultant at Kampala Skin Clinic, says smelly feet area result of a bacterial skin infection known as Pitted Keratolysis. Kambuga adds that under warm and moist conditions, the bacteria between the toes digest the skin of the feet, giving off a bad smell.

Causes

“Smelly feet,” Kambugu explains, “is caused by wearing tight or restricting footwear which includes socks and shoes that are not spacious for the toes, which leads to excessive sweating.

How to select shoes

When selecting a shoe, choose a size that allows you at least half an inch from your big toe to the end of shoe.
One way of determining whether or not a shoe fits, is taking the inner sole out and placing your foot upon it. By using this method, you can see if the shoe is appropriate in both the length and width.

TIPS ON HANDLING SMELLY FEET
  • Change socks frequently.

  • Do not put on shoes when your feet are still wet.

  • Use 100% cotton socks since they absorb sweat.

  • Seek advice on management of your feet hygiene.

  • Apply powder to keep the feet dry. Continue applying until the smell disappears completely.

  • For chronic cases, a cream will give you some relief. However, you can consult a doctor.

  • Soak infected socks in jik.

  • Use open shoes whenever possible, especially during weekends.
  • Avoid prolonged periods with your feet in closed shoes.

  • Go barefoot in a clean home whenever possible.

  • Have more than one pair of shoes to avoid using the same pair day after day.
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