Your feet- Step out of that foul smell
Nov 01, 2009
JUST when everyone thought they were about to take a more committal move, Rachael, 28, called it quits with Michael, her boyfriend of two years.<br>“Are you out of your mind, Michael is so cool,†her sisters said.
By Frederick Womakuyu, Irene Nabusoba and Denis Dibele
JUST when everyone thought they were about to take a more committal move, Rachael, 28, called it quits with Michael, her boyfriend of two years.
“Are you out of your mind, Michael is so cool,†her sisters said.
“He is good looking, ‘loaded’ and he adores you. What more could you want?†they queried. “Michael is a ‘cool guy’ until he takes off his shoes. I can’t stand his smelly feet,†Rachael said.
Smelly feet can be embarrassing and unpleasant. The condition, medically known as bromidrosis, is more common in, but not restricted to, men.
Dr. Frank M. Kaharuza, a gynaecologist/obstetrician and the president of the Association of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Uganda, says: “The common perception that syphilis causes smelly feet is false. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease.â€
Kaharuza says the problem is caused by poor hygiene. “If someone does not bathe or clean their feet, they are bound to smell. If this persists, one is likely to develop bacterial diseases or viruses like fungus.â€
Dr. Charles Kiggundu of Mulago Hospital says: “Feet sweat a lot yet the sweat cannot evaporate because they (feet) are trapped inside shoes.
Consequently, bacteria feed on the sweat and grow in the dark and moist condition inside the shoes. The bacteria produce isovaleric acid, the main substance responsible for the smell,†he explains.
Kiggundu says the problem is more common in men because they wear closed shoes, sometimes without socks or with synthetic ones, which cannot absorb sweat.
“Cotton socks, unlike synthetic ones, allow the feet to breathe because they absorb the sweat. With synthetic socks, however, the sweat remains in the shoes or socks, breeding bacteria, which leads to horrible smell,†he explains.
“Smelly feet are due to a fungal infection that may need to be treated with antibiotics. If the smell persists, see a doctor, preferably a dermatologist,†Kiggundu advises.
“But good foot hygiene, proper socks and shoes can solve the problem,†he notes. He says some people ignore their feet when bathing.
“After bathing, dry between the toes.
Avoid wearing dump shoes, walking barefoot or wearing shoes without cleaning the feet,†he advises.
Some people’s feet, he says, smell because they wear the same shoes everyday.
“One should wear closed shoes only three times a week because of our hot weather.â€â€œAlternate with sandals to allow the feet fresh air,†he says.
Kagimu says long and ingrown nails also cause smelly feet because of the dust underneath.
He advises one have a pedicure twice a week. “If you walk a lot, consider a foot message to allow better flow of blood in the feet. You can also sprinkle powder on your feet to minimise sweating.
Antiseptic powder like mycota is good for fungal infections,†he says.
According to www.hkmenshealth.com, medical foot problems like athlete’s foot, which is caused by fungal infections, have been known to cause serious foot stench.
“Excessive sweating, a congenital condition in men; stress, thyroid problems, hormonal changes and the use of some drugs can cause smelly feet. Treat such conditions immediately,†the site reveals.
Home remedy
Soak your feet in strong black tea for 30 minutes a day, for a week. The acid in the tea kills the bacteria and closes the pores, keeping your feet dry.
Use two tea bags per pint of water. Boil for 15 minutes and then add two quarters of cool water. Soak the feet in the cool solution.
Alternately, you can soak your feet in a solution of one part vinegar and two parts water or a solution of salty water, with Dettol liquid soap and lemon.
Tips on managing smelly feet
Bathe and wash your feet at least once a day in lukewarm water with mild soap.
Dry feet well after washing, especially between the toes.
Dust your feet with talcum powder to keep them dry.
Apply antiperspirant on your feet to reduce sweating.
Allow the skin on your feet to breathe by taking off shoes and socks or wearing sandals as much as possible.
Wear clean socks.
Wear thick, soft socks, which are made of cotton, wool or other absorbent materials to help absorb the sweat.
Avoid nylon socks.
Always wear socks when wearing closed shoes.
Never put dirty socks back on.
lChange socks often to keep your feet dry.
Wear breathable shoes that are made of leather, canvas or other materials.
Wear well-ventilated footwear such as slip-ons, instead of very constrictive shoes such as boots.
Avoid plastic shoes.
Coat the inside of your shoes with talcum powder to absorb excess moisture.
Wash shoes such as canvas frequently and sun-dry them.
Do not wear the same shoes two days in a row; they need time to dry.
Leave your shoes in well-ventilated places to dry properly. You can dry them under direct sunlight with the inner soles removed.
If the odour in the shoes does not go away, even with the help of odour elimination products, discard the shoes.
Check for any other foot problems. For example, if you have athlete’s foot, which is caused by fungal infections, treat it immediately.
A number of health conditions can also increase the risk of smelly feet. These include excessive sweating, stress, thyroid problems, hormonal changes and the use of some drugs. Get them treated.
Remember, these measures are mostly preventive and not curative. If the problem persists, get help from your doctor.
For instance, check for fungal infections between toes and on the bottoms of your feet. If any redness or dry patchy skin is observed, get treatment right away.
JUST when everyone thought they were about to take a more committal move, Rachael, 28, called it quits with Michael, her boyfriend of two years.
“Are you out of your mind, Michael is so cool,†her sisters said.
“He is good looking, ‘loaded’ and he adores you. What more could you want?†they queried. “Michael is a ‘cool guy’ until he takes off his shoes. I can’t stand his smelly feet,†Rachael said.
Smelly feet can be embarrassing and unpleasant. The condition, medically known as bromidrosis, is more common in, but not restricted to, men.
Dr. Frank M. Kaharuza, a gynaecologist/obstetrician and the president of the Association of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Uganda, says: “The common perception that syphilis causes smelly feet is false. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease.â€
Kaharuza says the problem is caused by poor hygiene. “If someone does not bathe or clean their feet, they are bound to smell. If this persists, one is likely to develop bacterial diseases or viruses like fungus.â€
Dr. Charles Kiggundu of Mulago Hospital says: “Feet sweat a lot yet the sweat cannot evaporate because they (feet) are trapped inside shoes.
Consequently, bacteria feed on the sweat and grow in the dark and moist condition inside the shoes. The bacteria produce isovaleric acid, the main substance responsible for the smell,†he explains.
Kiggundu says the problem is more common in men because they wear closed shoes, sometimes without socks or with synthetic ones, which cannot absorb sweat.
“Cotton socks, unlike synthetic ones, allow the feet to breathe because they absorb the sweat. With synthetic socks, however, the sweat remains in the shoes or socks, breeding bacteria, which leads to horrible smell,†he explains.
“Smelly feet are due to a fungal infection that may need to be treated with antibiotics. If the smell persists, see a doctor, preferably a dermatologist,†Kiggundu advises.
“But good foot hygiene, proper socks and shoes can solve the problem,†he notes. He says some people ignore their feet when bathing.
“After bathing, dry between the toes.
Avoid wearing dump shoes, walking barefoot or wearing shoes without cleaning the feet,†he advises.
Some people’s feet, he says, smell because they wear the same shoes everyday.
“One should wear closed shoes only three times a week because of our hot weather.â€â€œAlternate with sandals to allow the feet fresh air,†he says.
Kagimu says long and ingrown nails also cause smelly feet because of the dust underneath.
He advises one have a pedicure twice a week. “If you walk a lot, consider a foot message to allow better flow of blood in the feet. You can also sprinkle powder on your feet to minimise sweating.
Antiseptic powder like mycota is good for fungal infections,†he says.
According to www.hkmenshealth.com, medical foot problems like athlete’s foot, which is caused by fungal infections, have been known to cause serious foot stench.
“Excessive sweating, a congenital condition in men; stress, thyroid problems, hormonal changes and the use of some drugs can cause smelly feet. Treat such conditions immediately,†the site reveals.
Home remedy
Soak your feet in strong black tea for 30 minutes a day, for a week. The acid in the tea kills the bacteria and closes the pores, keeping your feet dry.
Use two tea bags per pint of water. Boil for 15 minutes and then add two quarters of cool water. Soak the feet in the cool solution.
Alternately, you can soak your feet in a solution of one part vinegar and two parts water or a solution of salty water, with Dettol liquid soap and lemon.
Tips on managing smelly feet
Bathe and wash your feet at least once a day in lukewarm water with mild soap.
Dry feet well after washing, especially between the toes.
Dust your feet with talcum powder to keep them dry.
Apply antiperspirant on your feet to reduce sweating.
Allow the skin on your feet to breathe by taking off shoes and socks or wearing sandals as much as possible.
Wear clean socks.
Wear thick, soft socks, which are made of cotton, wool or other absorbent materials to help absorb the sweat.
Avoid nylon socks.
Always wear socks when wearing closed shoes.
Never put dirty socks back on.
lChange socks often to keep your feet dry.
Wear breathable shoes that are made of leather, canvas or other materials.
Wear well-ventilated footwear such as slip-ons, instead of very constrictive shoes such as boots.
Avoid plastic shoes.
Coat the inside of your shoes with talcum powder to absorb excess moisture.
Wash shoes such as canvas frequently and sun-dry them.
Do not wear the same shoes two days in a row; they need time to dry.
Leave your shoes in well-ventilated places to dry properly. You can dry them under direct sunlight with the inner soles removed.
If the odour in the shoes does not go away, even with the help of odour elimination products, discard the shoes.
Check for any other foot problems. For example, if you have athlete’s foot, which is caused by fungal infections, treat it immediately.
A number of health conditions can also increase the risk of smelly feet. These include excessive sweating, stress, thyroid problems, hormonal changes and the use of some drugs. Get them treated.
Remember, these measures are mostly preventive and not curative. If the problem persists, get help from your doctor.
For instance, check for fungal infections between toes and on the bottoms of your feet. If any redness or dry patchy skin is observed, get treatment right away.