Smelly Feet - not the nicest of smells!

Unless you have some sort of fetish 'Smelly Feet' or foot odour is not the nicest of smells.

The general major cause of foot odour is a bacteria called Brevibacteria that thrive by ingesting dead skin on the feet, especially on the soles and between the toes.

Feet do need ventilation to remain healthy and as polyester and nylon are common materials used to create socks, these do have an inherent problem as they do not breath like a natural fibre such as cotton or wool thus allowing the sweaty moisture to remain on the feet.

The foot is densely covered in sweat glands, more than 25,000 to be a little more accurate and naturally the larger the foot the more the number of glands. With hairs on the feet thrown into the mix the poor old foot doesn't stand much of a chance of remaining healthy when covered up all day in a sock and a shoe.

One of the main reason some people's feet (or more precisely, some people's socks and shoes) smell worse than others is because they sweat more.

Having Smelly feet in reality is no different to having smelly underarms. It is the proliferation of bacteria that is allowed to grow/ multiply.

So good hygiene would suggest that a daily washing of the feet and proper drying. To when possible not have the feet covered but to allow the free movement of fresh air.

Allow the shoes to dry out and rotate the usage with other pairs. If possible wash the inner soles and naturally put clean fresh socks on daily.

If at all possible change the socks more frequently.

Use a shoe insert such as Odor-Eater that has a charcoal element to absorb the moisture.

Apply an antiperspirant specific to the feet.

Ensure that the socks are made of a natural fibre. Cotton preferably or wool that will allow the moisture to wick away.

Ensure that you dry the feet thoroughly before putting on socks and allow the air to get to them as much as is practical.

Don't wear shoes that are too restrictive or tight. This is one reason why, with the exception of those who wear boots, that ladies generally who wear open shoes do not have so many problems with Smelly Feet.

If these precautions do not have an effect then it may be necessary to see your physician who can prescribe drugs that will dealwith the odour. Some by killing the odour causing bacteria and some by reducing the sweat.

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