Q:Cheesy feet
I have really cheesy feet! Just recently the problem's got worse, my toes have started smelling like stilton. I scrub my feet really well morning and night but 5 minutes after washing they start to pong again. What can I do about this? I've tried putting anti-persipirant on my feet but that doesn't seem to work. Also my shoes become pongy and the smell stays even after i've washed them out with soap and water. Help, Dr. Mel!
Aiofe , 16
A: Dear Aiofe
I love cheese. But when it feels like we've stuffed the whole Cheddar down our trainers, no one's smiling.
To put this right we need to know why it happens: Shoes make our feet warm then trap the sweat.
The average foot makes over a tablespoon of sweat every day. Nice warm sweat is what bacteria and fungus like best. It doesn't take them long to start growing and multiplying and this smells - no matter how clean we are.
So when it comes to feet, we should:
1) Wear shoes as little as possible - take them off indoors.
2) Avoid wearing the same pair days on end.
3) Buy leather or canvas shoes which let air in and sweat out.
4) Line shoes with anti-odour insoles.
5) Wear cotton socks, not nylon.
6) Wash feet with mild soap once a day then dry carefully.
7) Inspect between the toes and on the instep. Any itchy, flakey or red patches? This might be athlete's foot. A cream from the chemist sorts this out nicely.
Try all this and you'll be totally cheese free. Sit back and admire your twinkle toes.
