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A South Korean clothing company has created a pair of trainers with Xylitol - the same ingredient used in chewing gum to freshen your breath - woven into the fabric. The bad news? The shoes in question cost over £200. Fighting foot odour shouldn't cost the earth, so we've spoken to the experts to get their top tips for fresh feet.
What is foot odour?
First, the basics. If your feet smell like a fine French cheese that's been left out in the sun, the root cause is likely to be an excess of moisture.
"Foot odour is generally caused by excessive moisture which then leads to increased bacteria levels," explains expert podiatrist Margaret Dabbs.
"Factors such as shoe and sock material, activity levels, climate and the person's propensity to sweat can all affect odour levels. Hygiene levels can also affect foot odour but ultimately every individual is different."
The science of sweat
Don't think you're safe just because your feet don't smell, either - the sweat that can eventually cause foot odour doesn't actually have an odour.
"The sweat itself is actually odourless but it creates a perfect environment for bacteria and fungal spores to grow and produce bad-smelling substances," says Andrew Mawhinney, Lloyds Pharmacy pharmacist. "If men have hairy feet, this can increase the likelihood of problems with foot odour as the bad-smelling bacteria have more surface area on which they can grow."
The powder problem
So what are the solutions? Foot powders are popular choices when it comes to fighting foot odour, but Margaret Dabbs suggests steering clear.
"We generally don't recommend foot powders as in the presence of excess moisture the powder itself can become wet and turn into a paste-like substance," warns Margaret. "Powders can also mask the presence of various skin infections and can lead to an increased tendency to soft corns known as heloma molle."
To spray or not to spray
While the right foot or shoe spray can help, many sprays work by simply covering up the smell - great if you're hoping to quickly mask the odour of your stinky shoes moments before a hot date, but not so great in the long term.
"If the foot spray doesn't contain an antiperspirant it will simply mask the odour and not address the underlying cause of excess moisture," warns Margaret Dabbs.
Oil me up
Margaret Dabbs suggests slathering on a natural oil - such as Australian organic emu oil - which will avoid irritating skin and provide long lasting hydration while fighting bacteria.
"This type of oil is easily absorbed into the skin's dermal layers, has low irritability (as low as water) and anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties, which will leave skin feeling hydrated, smooth and illuminated," explains Margaret.
Go natural
When it comes to socks, try to avoid synthetic materials which will trap sweat and prevent air circulating around the foot.
"We recommend wearing socks made from natural fibres in order to absorb excess moisture," says Margaret Dabbs. "Additionally, anyone suffering from foot odour should be washing their feet twice daily and changing their socks twice a day."
Swap your shoes
While it's normal to change your socks once a day (we hope), many people underestimate the importance of swapping our shoes. "We recommend alternating shoes daily so that they have the opportunity to air out and won't become moist," says Margaret Dabbs.
Age, exercise and odour
As you get older, foot odour should become less of a problem, although if you're a fitness fanatic, you're generally more at risk from conditions such as athlete's foot, which can lead to an increase in odour-producing bacteria.
"Generally teenage boys are more prone to foot odour due to varying hormone levels and also increased activity levels and the associated footwear requirements," says Margaret Dabbs. "People who have higher levels of perspiration are more prone to bacterial and fungal infections such as tinea pedis or athlete's foot - a fungal infection which can make foot odour worse."
Foot fetish
Finding the perfect shoe isn't just about style - shoes that are too small or made from the wrong material can all contribute to foot odour.
"Wearing the wrong shoes can make your feet smell worse so it's important that you choose shoes which allow your feet to breathe," says Andrew Mawhinney. "Shoes which are made from man-made materials like plastic are particularly bad at increasing the amount of sweat produced as they don't allow them to breathe, so for this reason leather shoes are ideal."
Don't scrap the socks
Finally, wearing shoes without socks is never a good look, but when it comes to preventing food odour, it's an absolute no-no. "Wearing shoes without socks can also make your feet sweat more and make foot odour worse, so you should always wear socks with your shoes," says Andrew Mawhinney.
Keep your cool
Studies have shown that higher stress levels can lead to foot odour, due to increased sweat production. It's also thought that a diet high in refined carbohydrates can contribute to foot odour, as refined carbohydrates can feed the bacteria which can cause foot odour. Try to pack plenty of protein, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates into your diet.
So there you have it - foot odour can be a problem, but if you follow this advice, it needn't be.
Article from MSN Him
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