Have you ever taken your shoes off and been accosted by an offensive and pungent odour? Sweaty feet can lead to smelly feet, which can cause embarrassment and social awkwardness!
Our feet have over 250,000 sweat glands and on average, they perspire the equivalent of one cup of sweat per day. This moisture builds up, creating a breeding ground for microorganisms. In turn, these microorganisms, most commonly bacteria and fungi, consume dead skin cells, leading to waste production and resultant shoe odour. Odour can also be caused by components of our sweat.
Sweating is a natural process in the body that helps regulate temperature. Wearing socks and shoes all day can exacerbate sweating and could lead to foot odour. Excessive sweating is known as hyperhidrosis (hi-pur-hi-DROE-sis) and may cause social anxiety and embarrassment. If you notice your feet and shoes are smelly, you may have developed bromhidrosis (brohm-hi-DROE-sis), a complication of hyperhidrosis caused by the presence of bacteria.
We have a solution that will help you and your gear smell fresher longer! With proper use, Clean Sweep® spray eliminates 99.9% of odour-causing bacteria and fungi.
How Does Clean Sweep® Work?
Clean Sweep® utilizes a nanosilver formula to safely and effectively kill the bacteria causing shoe odour. It neutralizes odour and contains no toxic ingredients, fragrances or carcinogens.
Directions on use:
- Shake well before using
- Spray directly and thoroughly into footwear on a regular basis until odour-free
- Allow to dry overnight before wearing
- Repeat as necessary
It is important to allow the shoes to dry completely to prevent the socks from absorbing the Clean Sweep® coating, which could reduce the effectiveness. Clean Sweep® reactivates with perspiration and therefore remains effective long after the shoe is sprayed!
How can you treat and prevent sweaty feet at home?
- Change socks daily and throughout the day if needed. Choose socks comprised of breathable and moisture wicking materials. Polyester, nylon, and wool are most effective at keeping the moisture level more balanced and skin on the feet healthier.
- Always try to wear shoes made of breathable materials, such as leather or mesh.
- Wash your feet daily to keep the surface of the skin clean which will reduce the risk for bacterial and fungal infections. If an odour is present, using an anti-bacterial soap to wash feet can help.
- Applying rubbing alcohol or using a foot powder can help to wick away moisture on the skin. Rubbing alcohol is an astringent, which dries the skin and an antiseptic, which cleans the skin. Some foot powders are formulated with antimicrobials to lessen the presence of fungus and bacteria. Powder can also cool and soothe irritated skin.
- As discussed above, always remember to treat your shoes, braces, and orthotics with Clean Sweep® spray!
If you think you could have an infection, contact your Primary Care Provider or your BioPed Medical Footcare Clinician to be assessed. For more information about smelly feet or to pick up a bottle of Clean Sweep® spray, come visit us at BioPed today!
