On Tuesday, March 17, 2010  Rachael’s Day Time Talk  Show ,  Rachael Ray’s guests discussed their most embarrassing body issues,  including excessive sweating, vaginal discharge, irregular bowel movements, and stinky feet.   Ray’s physician consultant, Dr. Ian,  explained the reasons behind these issues and tried to give helpful recommendations for treating these normal bodily functions, however something was left a foot.

One guest was a dance teacher who explained that her feet smell so foul that it has her husband and dance students running for the hills.  The dancer teacher admitted that she did not like to wear socks, but does wash and dry her feet often.  She said she masks the smell by spraying air freshener in her shoes and on her feet!  The physician stated, “we have almost a quarter of a million sweat glands in our feet that produce almost a half a liter of perspiration per day…For most of us, it evaporates so it’s fine, but for some of us it does not evaporate.”  And recommended that she continue to wash and dry her feet but use socks and to spray and use powder.

While it’s true that our bodies adjust for variations in temperature and humidity through perspiration which helps to regulate our inner body temperature to maintain good health, it is actually bacteria that cause body odor and not the perspiration itself.  Bacteria as well as yeast love to stay and multiple in moist, warm locations including human skin flaps, armpits, and feet.  They feed on chemicals in sweat and dead skin cells and their byproducts produce the foul smell we simply refer to as B.O (body odor).  Our gender and genetics as well as our diet and any medications we may be taking also influence sweating, body odor, and its intensity.  Wearing shoes and socks with inadequate ventilation promotes excessive sweating and thus higher bacteria accumulation.

Instead, people with odiferous feet should wash and dry their feet frequently, chose cotton socks that promote dryness over nylon or polyester, and select shoes that have greater ventilation (look for labels).  People should never, ever spray air fresheners on their feet! Some studies have shown a link between phthalates (a common chemical found in many air fresheners, shampoos, nail polish, and other toiletries and cosmetic products) and development of sex-hormone abnormalities and cancer.  Although a causal association has not been made, it’s probably better safe than sorry-especially since air fresheners do not mask feet odor very well and will not solve the underlying problem (the bacterial growth).  Instead opt for natural products for prevention such as baking soda or corn starch, making sure to coat a decent layer on the sole of the foot and in between the toes.  Some people who regularly use an underarm deodorant/anti-perspirant have found this product effective on their feet as well.

Sorry, Rach, this advice was almost as stinky as the pinkies!