But they get all the soap dripping! How come they are not clean?
We all know that it is essential to wash our armpits and private parts when we bathe. We know the importance of hand washing, and if you’ve ever been a greasy, hormonal teenager, you know why your face and hair need regular cleansing. But the internet has seen paroxysms of outrage at the issue of washing a certain, often neglected, body part: our feet.
When former TV news presenter Katie Olmsted asked her followers on Twitter if they wash their feet, the responses were quick and vehement.
“Wow lol, you guys are dirty mfs,” said one. “You sit on the side of the bathtub and scrub those bastards with soap and a brush. No excuse,” said another. “Your feet are the closest thing to the floor. Especially in the hot months. Wash them,” suggested a third.
But some argue that all the moss eventually reaches our feet, making them clean, so why should we scrub them? Besides, soapy feet are slippery feet, and more likely to make us fall. So what’s the big deal about washing them?
The value of washing your feet
On its website, the Institute for Preventive Foot Health stresses the importance of daily and thorough foot washing with mild soap (including between the toes), emphasising something that is easily taken for granted: Our feet are “the foundation of our mobility”.
A good wash is an integral part of the fight against bad odours. According to infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., “Your feet are covered with bacteria, just like the rest of your skin. These bacteria, when mixed with sweat, cause foot odour. (It’s worth noting that we have 250,000 sweat glands on our feet, so… yeah. That’s a lot of potential stink).
Then there’s the issue of exfoliation. (Yes, those sometimes hairy, often knobby pads need exfoliating too, if we don’t want them to develop calluses). Regular removal of dead skin prevents the formation of rough spots due to rubbing against our shoes.
Intentionally rubbing the tops, sides and bottoms of our feet can also help prevent infections such as staphylococcus (which can enter through a small cut), plantar warts and athlete’s foot. Are you likely to get these foot diseases if you don’t wash your feet? No. But, according to podiatry specialist Dr. Robert K. Lee, “the more regularly you wash your feet, the less likely viruses, fungi and bacteria will infect your skin.”
Drying is equally important
Because plantar warts and athlete’s foot thrive in warm, moist environments, it is also essential to remove moisture after washing your feet. Dry them thoroughly (remembering to place them between the toes) to prevent the growth of fungus.
The bottom line
Is it possible to live for decades on this earth, not wash your dogs in every shower and still get away with it? Yes. But knowing all the benefits, should you do it? Yes, I should.
