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Feet making people sick

Discussion in 'Ask your questions here' started by Lisa, Jun 17, 2008.

  1. Lisa

    Lisa Guest


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    I know the subject may sound funny but, believe me, it's not and I'm absolutely serious. I've had trouble with exessive foot sweating and odor. My doc put me on Drysol which has helped a little (although it is still a problem) with the sweating but....EVERYONE around me reacts like they have allergies. They rub their eyes, sneeze, and get congested. This has been going on for a very long time and I know it is not an issue of people having seasonal allergies. They are having a reaction to me. WHAT CAN THIS CONDITION BE?? Is is some rare fungal thing? Do I need some sort of antibiotics? Over the counter athlete's foot stuff has done zero to help. I change my socks several times a day and it doesn't help. I am desparate for advice. Someone please help!!!
     
  2. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    I have found Drysol quite effective for hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) of the feet, and common foot odor is due to the action of bacteria on the sweat and the metabolic by-products produced. If the Drysol has adequately controlled the hyperhidrosis and you still have an odor problem, I don't know what to tell you. I hardly think that folks are really allergic to you, and so I suspect that the excessive sweating still exists. Is the sweating problem limited to the feet only, or are other areas of the body affected?
     
  3. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Foot Doc:
    It's just my feet really. The Drysol has improved the sweating condition - not 100% but it is certainly better than it was before I started using it. Hands will sweat on occasion but most often in a highly stressful situation but that is not uncommon. My feet occasionally burn or itch but, at this point, I don't know if it is the Drysol causing it or something else. I clean my feet with antibacterial soap and a pumice stone every day. I use odor eaters in my shoes. Change my socks during the day. I use Drysol and wrap my feet almost every night. My feet smell even if they are dry (e.g. home all weekend, just wearing socks). As I mentioned, everyone around me rubs their eyes, get congested, and blow their nose - at work, at friends' houses, restaurants - everywhere. Even my cat sneezes daily and tries to clear her nose. I have mild congestion 24/7 (though worse in the morning) and have red eyes. I use Visine daily. I don't know what to think but this is ruining my social and professional life. I have an appointment with a dermatologist but not until the end of July. I just hope I keep my job until then.
     
  4. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    The odor is almost assuredly a result of the excessive sweating, and if that is the case, the only way to rid yourself of the odor is for the sweat to be adequately controlled. I can't say whether the use of Drysol is appropriate for you, but I had previously posted my generally recommended regimin for its use. It seems, though, the past files have not yet been moved to this new site and you can't access that post at this time. I think, though, that it would be a good idea for you to see that dermatologist for a real hands-on opinion.
     
  5. Lynn

    Lynn Guest

    I sympathize with you. My problem is with extreme sweating and odor. Nothing seems to work. I keep my feet very clean and try to keep my feet ventilated as much as possible. The odor is disgusting and I am very self conscious of it! Someone suggestic rubbing dry boric acid (every night for a week) as a remedy, but I've not yet checked with a doctor about the safety or effectiveness of this method.
     
  6. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Lynn,

    Believe me, I sympathize with you too. This is a horrible experience. I have been looking on the internet on boric acid since you mentioned it. From what I have read, it seems ok to use. I also ran across a few mentions of Tilex Mold & Mildew Remover. I know that sounds incredibly harsh but I am so desparate, I'll try anything. I tried it last night and although everyone at work was having trouble during a business lunch today (rubbing eyes and noses and clearing their throats), it seems like my feet didn't smell quite so bad today. The recommendation I saw said to put it on your feet for 4 minutes, twice a week, for two weeks. I am going to go with it and see if this problem will finally go away.

    If you should find anything that helps you, please post again and let me know. I'll post again in two weeks and let you know how I am doing. Best of luck to you Lynn!!!!
     
  7. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    DISCLAIMER:
    THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS- ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
    ***********************************************************
    In regard to the suggestion that Tilex Mildew Remover be used on the feet for foot odor . . it is a sorryful example of the the dangers inherent in well-meaning but uninformed lay recommendations in forums such as this to folks desecrate enough to be willing to subject themselves to potentially harmful effects. This product contains sodium hypochlorite as its main ingredient. The chemical is a bleach-like product which should not be used on the skin, as it could cause severe irritation and even burning of tissues. It is irresponsible to provide information which even the poster believes sounds "incredibly harsh." Bad enough that the poster is going to try it him/herself, but to put this out where others might also be desperate enough to try it and possibly suffer harmful effects is totally inappropriate.

    For those who might think that this statement is harsh . . you have indeed gleaned the intended purpose of my message.
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2008
  8. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I have read that drinking sage tea can help overall sweating, even in Australian summers,
    Your local health store should stock it.
    Worth a try anyway!
     
  9. lorie.d

    lorie.d New Member

    Try changing your diet and do a body cleanse. Also try consuming less dairy, I here that cutting out the dairy helps with the smell. I have noticed myself that the more dairy that I consume the more my feet smell. I used to not drink any milk and ate very little cheese and my feet did not stink. See if this helps.
     
  10. bimbo

    bimbo New Member

    i cant post it enough: iontophroesis is maybe the simple key for this problems
     
  11. Nailvarnish

    Nailvarnish New Member

    Socks: indeed merino wool socks or other very good drywicking socks

    Shoes: geox, or make sure it’s breathable shoes like leather

    Insoles: Cedar wooden soles

    Then ask yourself if this is a bacterial overgrowth, fungus or sweat problem. Best to always check with a dermatologist!!

    Bacterial overgrowth: You can check if fucidin lotion (note it’s a medicine, don’t overuse) can help you. Sometimes anti acne lotion can help such as clindamycine or benzac 10% . The bacterias causing zits can sometimes be same bacetrias causing smell. Do please check a dermatologist before proceeding with these lotions

    Fungus: check for topical antifungus like clotrimazole . Again, check with dermatologist.

    Sweat: Apply strong anti perpirant (15–20% aluminium chloride), iontophoresis with glycopyronium bromide, surgery only if you have plantar hyperhidrosis (lumbar sympathetomy)
     
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