Feet Hygiene

According to Wikipedia, Foot odor (foot odor or bromodosis) is a type of body odor that affects the feet of humans. It is sometimes considered to be an unpleasant smell, but can also be the target of foot fetishism, more specifically as a form of olfactophilia.

It is one of the most widespread forms of olfactophilia: In a 1994 study, 45% of those with a foot fetish were found to be aroused by smelly socks and/or feet, but most importantly by the intensity of the smell produced by such bacteria.

Foot Sweat


The main cause is foot sweat (also see focal hyperhidrosis). Sweat itself is odorless; however, it creates a beneficial environment for certain bacteria to grow, producing odorous substances. These bacteria are naturally present on our skin as part of the human flora. The front part of the foot produces the most sweat.

The smell is exacerbated by factors that increase sweating, such as wearing closed-toe shoes. Sports footwear such as sneakers is often heavily padded inside which provides a perfect environment to trap moisture and allow the bacteria to thrive. Socks can trap foot hair, especially on the toes, and may contribute to odor intensity by increasing surface area on which bacteria can thrive.

Given that socks directly contact the feet, their composition can affect foot odor. Synthetic materials like polyester and nylon afford less ventilation to the foot than do cotton or wool, leading to increased perspiration and odor, although they can also reduce incidence of blisters by wicking away perspiration. Many synthetic socks are treated with chemicals to help reduce odor.

Wearing closed-toe shoes (e.g., ballet flats or pumps) without socks leads to accumulation of sweat, dead skin cells, dirt, and oils, further contributing to bacterial growth.

Foot odor


Brevibacteria are considered a major cause of foot odor because they ingest dead skin on the feet and, in the process, convert the amino acid methionine into methanethiol, a colorless gas with a distinctive sulfuric aroma. The dead skin that fuels this process is especially common on the sole and between the toes. Brevibacteria also give such cheeses as Limburger, Bel Paese, Port Salut, Pálpusztai and Munster their characteristic pungency.

Propionic acid (propanoic acid), a breakdown product of Propionibacteria amino acid metabolism in adolescent and adult sebaceous gland ducts, is also present in many foot sweat samples.

Isovaleric acid (3-methyl butanoic acid), another other source of foot odor, is produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis, a bacterial species normally resident on human skin and present in several strong-smelling varieties of cheese.

Other implicated microorganisms include Micrococcaceae, Corynebacterium and Pityrosporum.

Bart Knols of Wageningen Agricultural University in the Netherlands received a 2006 “Ig Nobel Prize” for demonstrating that the female Anopheles gambiae mosquito, known for transmitting malaria, is “attracted equally to the smell of Limburger cheese and to the smell of human feet”. Fredros Okumu, of the Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania, received grants in 2009 and 2011 to develop mosquito attractants and traps to combat malaria. He used a blend of eight chemicals four times more effective than actual human secretions.

Preventing Foot Odor


Maintaining good foot hygiene is the best way to prevent foot odor as it eliminates odor causing bacteria and removes dead skin cells as well as sebum. A foot file, pumice stone or chemical treatment, such as an Alpha hydroxy acid containing foot peel preparation, can be used to remove dead skin cells. Using antibacterial soap to wash feet daily; keeping feet dry by changing socks daily and wearing cotton or wool instead of synthetic fibers can also help reduce moisture build-up. Using medicated insoles and foot powder can also help.

In some cases, medical intervention may be needed to treat the bacterial or fungal infection with a topical antibacterial or fungicide.

 

Please Leave All Comments in the Comment Box Below

 


 

 

 

 

 


  • Antibacterial Foot Soap
  • Foot Powder
  • Topical Antibacterials
  • Fungicides
  • Medicated Insoles
  • Cotton or Wool Socks

 

 

Author: HBS & DwJ

6 thoughts on “Feet Hygiene

  1. Not quite sure how this relates to Christianity? Or maybe you’re thinking about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, a practice still employed by lots of churches on Maundy Thursday, which is in a couple of weeks from now. Unfortunately, here in the UK it looks as if all our churches will still be shut then because of the coronavirus pandemic so we will be going without this and all the other Easter services. An important “public service” post anyway, thanks for sharing.

    1. Thank you for your comment. I would also like to thank you for answering your own question. 

      Thank you again for your comment.

      Best Of Blessings To You My Friend!

  2. I was thinking about all those out there who love rotten cheese, does that mean that they like smelly feet? I never really thought about how important it can be to dry your feet before putting socks on, so thanks for the advice! I also read that it is actually good for foot hygiene to urinate in the shower because urine kills foot bacteria.

  3. This is a great and amazing article. I sincerely appreciate your effort creating time to write on such an informative article which has taught me a lot more on Feet Hygiene. This is my first time of hearing about such a topic and I learned Foot odor (foot odour or bromodosis) is a type of body odor that affects the feet of humans. Thanks for sharing this amazing article.

    1. Thank you for taking the time to read, comment on this post, and for considering this is a great and amazing article. I am also pleased to know that you have learned foot odor (foot odour or bromodosis) is a type of body odor that affects the feet of humans. 

      You are most certainly welcome for the sharing of such an amazing article. Thank you again for taking the time to read, comment on this post, and for considering this is a great and amazing article.

      Many Blessings To You My Friend!

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