FabSugar

You Asked: Dealing With Smelly Feet

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 04:30:48 PDT

Dear Fit,
I have an embarrassing problem that I really need to address. My smelly feet. Not just your regular stinky, sweaty smell after a workout - my tootsies seem to reek all the time. It was the kind of problem I thought only I knew about, but the other day at work, it was rather warm and I slipped my feet out of my flats. My co-worker got a whiff, covered her nose and said, "What's that smell?" I've tried peppermint lotion and flowery powders, but nothing helps. Is there anything I can do to prevent this foul odor?
- Funky Feet

Having smelly feet will understandably make you feel self-conscious, but the good news is that there are lots of things you can do to cure your problem. To find out what, just

The strong smell given off by feet is a combination of sweat and bacteria, so if you can eliminate both, then you're on your way to sweet smelling tootsies.

Wash your feet every day with warm water and soap, and be sure to dry them thoroughly before you put on socks or shoes. Pay special attention to in between your toes.
Avoid using lotions on your feet as this will just keep the skin moist. Powders are a good option to absorb moisture. Instead of sprinkling on already stinky feet to cover up the smell, it's best to use powder on clean, dry feet to help prevent odor in the first place.
Wear shoes that are made of breathable material such as leather, canvas, or mesh found in sneakers. Shoes made from synthetic materials such as plastic won't let your feet breathe, so you'll end up getting sweaty.
When possible, wear socks to absorb moisture, preferably ones made of wicking material such as merino wool. Cotton socks will get sweaty and keep your feet moist, which is not good for stinky feet. Bring a couple pairs to work so you can change your socks if your feet start to sweat.
It's also a good idea not to wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row, so your shoes can dry out completely between uses. When you're inside or at home, go barefoot to let your feet air out.
Keep your toenails clipped short. The longer the nails, the more bacteria can hide.
Make sure you're getting enough zinc in your diet. Foot odor can be a symptom of zinc deficiency.
If none of this helps or your feet sweat excessively, make an appointment with a podiatrist.

Have any tips of your own? Please share them in the comments section below.

Fab Tip: Say Sayonara to Smelly Shoes

FabSugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:22 PDT

Smelly shoes are no use to anybody. Some fabrics, like synthetic vinyl, absorb stenches more than others, especially when you go sock-less. Bottom line: Stinky shoes are a problem that must be taken care of, pronto. No one wants to be associated with stank. I was recently watching Jeopardy, and of all things, one of the questions was about a plant that gets rid of bad smells. I took note.

To hear how to get rid of smelly shoes,

You're looking at a bunch of cloves. These puppies are going to be your solution to stinky shoes - and stinky drawers for that matter. Tie up a handful in a handkerchief and put in each shoe. Let them sit for a few hours and soon enough you'll have a pair of great smelling shoes. For exceptionally bad smelling footwear, leave the cloves longer, until the smell is gone. Do the same for sock drawers.

Simply Fab: Summer Soles Fragrant Footings

FabSugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:00:22 PDT

There's all this talk of stunning footwear, but no one is addressing the issue of stinky feet. P-yoo! Have no fear, Fab is here with Summer Soles Fragrant Footing Products. I'm not going to lie and say that my feet never stink. If it's hot and sticky sometimes they do . . . but I'm going to put my foot down and get Summer Soles Fragrant Footings Mini Cushions ($15). There are ones for the balls of your feet, as well as full-feet cushions. Get your feet on these and not only will they provide comfort, they will also eliminate the not-so-sweet stench of sweat.

Source

Healthy Dose Link Time: Mosquitoes Like Stinky Feet, Study Says

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:33:46 PDT

In weird news: wash up because mosquitoes like stinky feet - Blisstree
Take it back to the schoolyard with this 15-minute jump rope workout - Real Simple
The six things your trainer wishes you didn't do - Spark People
Five workout myths that are doing more harm than help - Prevention
Skip the freezer aisle and make this recipe for veggie burgers - Oh She Glows
Heidi Klum takes it to the mat with hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons - Fit Celeb

Wearing Shoes to Yoga? Blake Brody Footwear Says Yes

Michele Foley — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 01:46:43 PDT

Germaphobes and fashionistas take note - Blake Brody In-Studio Footwear may be your new favorite fitness accessory. The Blake Brody eco-friendly footwear line looks like a collection of fashion ballet flats, but are so flexible - you can roll them up if you need to! - they won't inhibit the foot's natural range of motion. While it may seem counterintuitive to wear shoes for a studio workout, I like to think of them as minimalist footwear for Pilates, yoga, or barre-inspired fitness classes. Fully copping to my germaphobic tendencies, I love that they put a barrier between my feet and the studio floor. This is especially nice when things are hotter than usual or the studio doesn't have an antimicrobial floor.

Pilates- and yoga-practitioner Blake Brody developed the in-studio workout shoes after an embarrassing moment in her Pilates class: Blake's feet were so sweaty that she slipped off of the reformer and fell. Since minimalist running shoes are too thick and inhibiting for studio work, Blake set out to design her own. When I received a pair to try out, I was apprehensive (I love working out barefoot), but, a few weeks later, I don't go to the studio without them. I wear them during all of my yoga and Pilates classes, and to much success, I even wore them to a few jazz- and ballet-inspired dance classes.

See what I thought of the shoes after the break.