From wikiWHYfiles
[edit] Introductory Note
Suffering from smelly feet (bromohydrosis) can be a very embarrassing and social isolating problem.There are a great many glands in the feet that secrete fluid containing water and salt; when this perspiration is left confined, not washed off or unable to be evaporated,
the bacteria of the skin attack it and produce a malodorous substance.Wearing constrictive footwear for long periods of time is a very common factor in the incidence of foot odour. Many occupations require the employee to spend long hours, sometimes walking long distances for the whole shift. This does not help with preventing smelly feet.Wearing shoes that are made from synthetic materials increase the fluid produced and do not allow for absorption. Infrequent washing of the feet and not changing the socks at least once a day, will add to foot odours accumulating. Some individuals simply sweat more than others and produce more fluid hence more bacterial build up.The amount of fluids consumed, the temperature, certain medications and hormonal changes can all add to the amount that a person sweats.
[edit] Reason
Due to the amount of sweat glands in our feet, when we are hot, it's going to be one of the first places we try and lose heat from. This is from a process called evaporation. As the sweat is excreted, hypothetically, so is the heat from the moisture as it evaporates.However! Most of the time we are wearing shoes of some kind. Now this poses a problem. If we are wearing shoes, there is no place for the evaporation to occur. Now our enemy 'bacteria' loves to thrive in warm moist environments. So if your feet are in an enclosed environment, then there will be a build up of warmth and moisture. Now it's not unusual for bacteria to find its way to your feet, because bacteria is literally everywhere. It's just that we are able to wash it off everyday,
so that there is not a build up on parts of our bodies.Now the problem lies here. If you tend to wear synthetic socks or shoes, this does not allow your feet to breath, or sweat to be absorbed. Instead, the sweat remains within your shoes or socks, and they start breeding bacteria, and this is what causes the horrible smell, that some of you may be familiar with. An interesting piece of information is that the bacteria which causes your feet to smell, is related to that of the bacteria which commonly causes acne (I have absolutely no idea why), but it's true!It seems once your feet start to smell they don't seem to stop. They just seem to get worse. This may have to do with a fungal infection that you may have picked up (as fungal infections love anaerobic environments - e.g. an environment without oxygen). Which is often the case with your feet, especially if you are using products that do not allow air to get to your feet; such as synthetics, these kind of products do not allow your feet to 'breathe.'It also seems that once you have foot odour, it jumps from shoe to shoe, and by this stage it doesn't seem to matter whether you are wearing synthetic shoes or leather. It only just gets worse!
[edit] Related Articles
- Maintain a good hygiene by bathing your feet daily with lukewarm water for the removal of bacteria.
- To avoid such kind of smell wash your feet with anti-bacterial soap
- Wear clean and dry socks and change them daily
- Always wear cotton socks which absorbs the sweat more generously
- Do not wear the same shoe everyday. Give your shoe at least a 24-hour breather to remove that smell.
- To replace the odor you can place in your shoe odor-eater-type of shoe inserts
- Apply antiperspirant on your feet
- Before wearing your shoes, you can dust your feet with baby powder to minimize sweating
- Chronic foot odor can be dealt by soaking your feet in strong black tea for 30 minutes a day for a week. The tannic acid present in the tea kills the bacteria and closes the pores to keep your feet dry for a longer period.
- Soak your feet in black tea made with two teabags for per pint of water. Once soaked for 15 minutes, alternately soak in a solution of one part vinegar and two parts water.
- In two quarts of warm water mix two tablespoons of Epsom salt to have clean and clear feet which also keeps your feet dry.
[edit] References
1. Smelly Feet
2. Smelly Feet - Blame The Bacteria
