Hygiene Tips for Democrats who Stink

http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2007/05/28/lifestyle/news/doc46595ded3124d625348591.txt

SOLE PATROL: Smelly feet easily remedied with quick tips

What's that smell?

With the season of sandals and flip-flops upon us, it's a question many will ask. Some unlucky "soles" will even find they're the source of the odor.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to show off that pedicure without offending society. Experts say that most foot odor, also known as bromhidrosis, is caused by hyperhydrosis, or excessive sweating.

"A lot of times if you're barefoot and wearing sandals, your perspiration goes right into the leather of the sandal," said Elgin podiatrist Scott Newcomb, who also practices in Hoffman Estates. "Then you stick your foot back in there and it gets a little funky."

An easy way to combat this problem might be to have an extra pair of sandals or shoes on hand. Gregory Giesche, owner of Giesche Shoe Store in Geneva recommends switching shoes every day. The pair not being worn in the meantime should be freshened with cedar shoe trees.

"Once you wear a pair of shoes, they should be able to dry out for 24 hours," he said. "I never, ever wear the same shoes."

Giesche said companies are making more shoes and sandals with antibacterial linings in the insoles. A children's shoe sold in his store from a Japanese manufacturer contains green tea leaf extract, he said.

Products such as Odor-Eaters contain activated charcoal to help absorb perspiration. But Dr. Godfrey Viegas, a podiatrist at the Crystal Lake Foot and Ankle Center, said any type of spray deodorant will do.

"It's the presence of the break down products caused by bacteria that produces foot odor," said Viegas, a member of the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association. "You cannot get rid of these bacteria. The best thing is to use antiperspirants. You reduce the quantity of the sweat significantly."

You don't necessarily have to be a podiatrist to wage a battle against foot odor. Jennie Dimitsas, a-19-year-old student from Wauconda, said she scrubs her feet with pumice stones and washes them with a peppermint body wash. She also avoids walking barefoot outside and in public showers and bathrooms.

Tamara Gold, a part-time massage therapy instructor, also regularly uses a pumice stone on her feet. She recommends trying a tea tree oil spray and anti-fungal essential oils to cut down on odor.

"For most people, the foot is an afterthought," Gold said.

If home remedies or over-the-counter products don't work, Newcomb said prescription treatments also are available. Viegas said a person should also be on the lookout for athlete's feet, another source of foot odor. A good indicator of athlete's feet is a dry, scaly appearance accompanied by a foul smell.

And there's always the option of committing the ultimate fashion faux pas - socks with sandals. Hey, at least your feet will be dry.

But Viegas said it's tough to resist temptation this time of year to let our feet breath the open air.

"We live in the Midwest and we long for summer weather," he said. "I can understand why my patients want to be barefoot and want to be in sandals."

Avoiding foot odor

- Change shoes daily. Always have an extra pair of shoes or sandals to wear.

- Allow shoes to freshen for 24 hours after wear with cedar shoe trees.

- Try sticking to leather sandals. Cheap, plastic sandals and shoes are more likely cause foot odor.

- Odor-Eaters and other foot odor products work, but spray deodorants can do the job just as well.

- Bath powder also can be used to prevent foot odor. Powder helps absorb sweat and keep feet dry throughout the day.


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