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Steel-Toe Boots Make Feet Stink

Q. I have the worst-smelling feet I have ever encountered. I have tried everything to get rid of the odor and nothing works.

I am a welder and have to wear steel-toe boots. I put odor-fighting insoles in them. They work for a week and then the smell is back again. My girlfriend always tells me that they are really bad, and they are.

I wash my feet when I get home from work and three hours later they are really STINKY again. Is there anything I can do get rid of this horrible problem?

A. Such a persistent smell may be caused by bacteria or fungi that have taken up residence on your feet. We have been collecting remedies for this problem for decades. Here are some favorites:

Military veterans have reported that urinating on the feet in the shower is a tried and true (and cheap) approach. Others tell us that foot soaks with baking soda, dilute vinegar or Listerine can also help. A waitress reported that Campho-Phenique “worked wonders.”

We are sending you our Guide to Solutions for Smelly Feet. It can also be downloaded for free from the Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

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About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
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