Stinky Kiddie Feet

So here is a weird one.

STINKY FEET.

My adorable little pixie of a daughter has the stinkiest feet ever. I have a sensitive nose and these are BAD. Three feet away and I still need a clothespin on my nose. SO, I'm thinking "how on earth does a FIVE year old have such smelly feet? and WHAT can I do about that awful stench?"

Seems that it is actually not abnormal for kids to get smelly feet. Not a big problem, of course. But an odoriferous one--that every child seems to have sometimes.

Feet smell because we wear shoes, keeping our feet in a closed space that will get hot and cause sweat. The bacteria that normally live in and around your feet love damp places, such as sweaty shoes and socks. As those bacteria grow, they release their own waste, and that's what causes the bad smell. I am sure that bacteria loves those little pink shoes that she runs around in everyday. (they are her favorite) Bacteria...pink shoes...bacteria...pink shoes.. hmmm...still not computing?

''Frequently, children's feet will sweat more than adults' feet,'' says Rosario Labarbera, D.P.M., chief of podiatry at The General Hospital Center at Passaic and at Saint Mary's Hospital in Passaic, New Jersey, and board member of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. Often that perspiration is foul-smelling--a condition doctors refer to as bromhidrosis. The odor is very similar to that of rotten cheese. Enough to jar anyone or me anyway.

Bromhidrosis in kids is mainly caused by the presence of fetid bacteria on the foot, according to Morton Walker, D.P.M., formerly a podiatrist in private practice in Stamford, Connecticut, and author of The Complete Foot Book. If a whiff of your child's feet is enough to disturb the peaceful life of your family, listen to what doctors have to say about sweetening the air at floor level.

To reduce the amount of sweat, encourage your children to wear well-ventilated shoes instead of constrictive ones. Choose shoes made from materials that breathe, such as canvas or leather. These are less likely to encourage moisture buildup. Avoid shoes made of plastic or other synthetic, nonporous materials that trap odor inside. I don't about you, but my son is obsessed with rain boots. Probably not the BEST choice of everyday shoe... especially on those hot days.
If the shoes' insoles are washable, wash them. My daughter's little pinks (made of leather and some shiny meshy stuff) were so distressing to me that I actually threw the whole shoe in and washed them in on the hand wash cycle. I am now washing the insoles JUST to make sure that they are clean and bacteria free. And no, I did not put them in the dryer.
Avoid tight fitting shoes-they can increase the amount of heat, sweat, and moisture in the feet. My daughter gets very attached to her shoes and wears them way longer then any podiatrist would be comfortable with. Obviously, a great thing to do is to go barefoot as much as possible, further drying out the feet and reducing the odor.

Your children can reduce the amount of bacteria on their feet or the amount of sweat that collects on their feet in a number of ways:
First, have them bathe or you bathe their feet in lukewarm water for several minutes each day, and then clean them with soap. Make sure they dry their feet when they're done.

Putting on clean socks every day is also critical; cotton and most wool absorb sweat and make the feet "breathe" more easily.

Your children can also consider switching shoes every few days, so the shoes get a chance to dry out, which in turn makes them less smelly. Feet are more likely to sweat and get kissed by the stanky bacteria monster. If your child refuses to have socks on like mine, or wear different shoes, you don't have much chance of preventing the problem and will just have to treat the foot odor when it occurs.

Smooth on a deodorizer. Marc A. Brenner, D.P.M., a podiatrist on the medical staff of the Long Island Jewish Hospital in New Hyde Park and North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, both in New York, recommends an over-the-counter deodorant cream called Lavilin. ''It's made in Israel and you can buy it in health food stores. It's perfectly natural and harmless for kids,'' he says. Read the directions carefully before applying the cream.

Try dropping in inserts. Shoe inserts, especially brands that contain activated charcoal, absorb perspiration, notes Dr. Brenner, who has found them to help some youngsters with smelly ''sneaker feet.'' Although these inserts usually come in only one size, you can trim them to fit your child's shoes.

Cool those tootsies. ''Dip a cotton ball in some rubbing alcohol and dab it on the child's feet to help dry them and cool them off,'' says Dr. Labarbera. Don't use alcohol if the child has any breaks in the skin, though. That would burn, he warns. Instead, use an antiseptic like Betadine Solution, which soothes, dries and cools without burning.

Look for sources of stress. Mental tension is another common cause of foot odor, according to Dr. Walker. In fact, the odor of perspiration that results from stress is considered more offensive than the exercise-generated kind. If your child's feet have suddenly become smellier lately, talk with him about stresses at school, at home or in his friendships. If you can help him deal with tension caused by change and uncertainty, the smelly-foot condition might get better.

Soak Away Trouble. Nothing like a good long soak to freshen up stinky feet. Each of the following foot soaks can help stop bacteria from growing, according to Dr. Brenner.
In each case, have your child soak his feet in the mixture for five to ten minutes. Soaking can be as frequent as twice a day or as seldom as twice a week, depending on the extent of the problem and your child's ability to stay put.
Epsom salts: Dilute two tablespoons in two quarts of warm water. ( This not only cleans the feet but also makes them drier afterward, according to Dr. Brenner.)
Vinegar: Dilute two tablespoons in two quarts of cool water for an acidic footbath.
Domeboro Astringent Solution: This pharmacy product comes in tablets or powder packets. Just dissolve it in water, following directions on the package, for a refreshing soak. Dry thoroughly, especially between the toes.
Betadine Solution: Dilute a teaspoon of this over-the-counter antibacterial agent in two quarts of cool water.

If all else fails, take your child to a podiatrist. You may need a prescription antibiotic salve or antifungal liquid to start the healing process. Then you will be able to smell deeply again......unless of course you have a two year old's diaper to change.....

-SBH