ASKING FOR A FRIEND

WHY DO MY FEET SMELL SO BAD?

While having feet stinkier than that bloke from HR’S chat is less than ideal, it’s also incredibly common – and fixable. ‘The cause is usually bacteria that live on the skin,’ explains Emma Mcconnachie, podiatrist and vice-president of the College of Podiatry. ‘While everyone has them, in people who sweat more than average (a condition known as hyperhidrosis), the bacteria overproduce, creating an odour.’ Personal hygiene on point and no sign of a fungal nail infection (another common stinky soles culprit)? Mcconnachie suggests rethinking your footwear. ‘Bad smells often come from shoes where bacterial levels have risen because of increased moisture from sweat,’ she explains. The fix? Wear shoes made from breathable fabrics; give them time to dry out after a sweaty workout before wearing them again and pick socks made from natural materials. ‘Bamboo wicks away moisture quickly,’ Mcconnachie adds.

‘This helps keep you cool – and it has antibacterial properties.’ A quick spritz of your regular antiperspirant is a good in-themoment solution, too.