Get a Pedicure – Save an Airport

New security measures at Palm Beach International Airport have left workers holding their noses.  It seems the requirement for passengers to remove shoes before searches meant tired, smelly feet residue permeating the security area carpet – enough to require new carpeting or tiling of the area.

If you think about it, it makes absolute sense.  Feet take a beating, especially during winter travel.  They can remain in shoes for long periods of time, and there is more dead skin buildup because people hide them in socks and closed toed shoes/boots.  This leads to a great combination for bacterial growth and the unpleasant smells that can emit when finally getting around to taking the shoes off.

What can you do if this problem plagues you?

Pedicures play a very important part in hygiene.  The feet are a difficult area to reach for cleansing, and counting on soap dribbling down your legs during a shower won’t cut it for long term maintenance.  A good pedicure will including a strong buffing of your heels and other dry areas to remove dead skin, a sanitizing soak, and clipping of nails.  Extra benefits will be massage, mask and scrub that all help with exfoliation and encourages circulation of your stems.

Other long touted ways to avoid foot odor include wearing correct fitting shoes made from natural materials, wearing socks that wick sweat, and always alternating shoes to give them a day to “breath” and regain freshness.

What if you’ve tried these methods and they aren’t working?  For a small percentage, chronic foot odor is a serious problem that is exacerbated by body chemistry.   Here’s a little tip: Try a deodorant / antiperspirant – on your feet. In the same way it works to block odor from your underarms, it can create a shield to help keep your feet smelling fresh throughout the day.

~ Hillary Fry