Fun Suga Facts
Why Do "Da" Feet Stink?
Feet are an important part of your body. Without them you could not stand up, walk around, or run a race. In fact, your feet work so hard for you that sometimes they get sweaty and smelly. Why do our dogs bark; smell like fritos, cheddar cheese, or some other ungodly odor? Bacteria is to blame. These tiny creatures normally inhabit your feet and love dark, damp places like the insides of sweaty shoes. They multiply in sweat, so if you don't wear socks, they really get going.
Think of a hot, summer, day after shooting hoops all afternoon. My goodness...your feet have been in those Jordans a long time! On the car ride home, you decide to kick off your shoes. It feels great, but the odor is almost unbearable. Your feet smell really bad. In fact, you might get an earful from your boys in the ride. "Dang it man, put your shoes on."
In the right conditions, bacteria will feast on your feet. These bacteria eat dead skin cells and oils from your skin. Their colonies will grow and start getting rid of waste in the form of organic acids. It's those organic acids that smell bad, and for 10% to 15% of people, the smell is really bad. Why? Because their feet are extra sweaty and become home to bacteria called Kyetococcus sedentarius (say: kite-oh-KAH-kus SEH-dent-tair-ee-us). These bacteria produce more than just smelly organic acids - they also produce "stuff" called volatile sulfur compounds. If you've ever smelled a rotten egg, you know what volatile sulfur compounds smell like.
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Pamering Your Feet
Bring Down Swelling With A Soak
Soak Feet in a mixture of water, a dozen ice cubes, six drips of tea-tree-oil, and rosemary leves (or use a store-bought tea tree- oil soak). Submerge one foot for 30 seconds, remove from water, then rub vigorously with a towel. Repeat with the other foot and keep soaking until the swelling subsides. While all soaks help soften skin, certain ones also exfoliate dead skin cells, making feet smoother. Look for products with ingredients such as milk and fruit juices, which contain natural acids that gently dissolve dry, rough patches.
Soften Your Feet With A Scrub
Frequent exfoliating is not just about looking good: Thickly callused skin can crack, leading to pain and infections. Pumice-based pastes can swiftly eliminate scaly skin, keeping feet soft for longer. If you prefer scrubs, go for a salt scrub with added oils to help hydrate. Avoid razors and callus scrapers, which can break the skin and cause infection. Be sure to slough gently: Calluses actually protect the feet, so you don't want to strip them away entirely.
Hydrate The Skin With A Cream
Foot creams are generally thicker and more viscous than body formulas because they're supposed to deliver more moisture. The best ones hydrate and soften with petrolatum, glycerin hyaluronic acid, which dissolves dry patches while it hydrates. Lotions containing urea can also break down calluses and smooth hardened heels.