For those of you who wear support hose at work

LPNalmost! · Sep 10, 2004

I don't know how much good it did with the odor, but one of the girls in my program (we had to wear knee highs), wore little sock footies over her hose. She said they absorbed some the moisture and also added padding that the hose don't provide. You could try it. There are also sprays and powders available for the odor. Just be careful how much moisture you're exposing your feet to...if you're walking around with wet feet all day (even from sweating) you can develop "trench foot" and it can get pretty painful.

I enjoy wearing support hose at work, but the feet part of them always start to stink. My feet dont naturally sweat, but they must when I wear those. Besides washing them after each use, anybody have any ideas for getting rid of the odor and preventing it?
Thanks
Jessica

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Sep 10, 2004

I just wash mine out every night and hang them up to dry in the shower. My feet don't often offend, but for some reason those support stockings REEK after a long shift, no matter whether I wear socks or not. So far, the only remedy I know is to keep them clean.........I use TEDS, and since they're so expensive I'm really kind of anal about taking care of them! :)

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2004

I always wear support hose. I've never noticed an odor to them after a long day. I'd better check, lol.

nontrad1964 · Sep 11, 2004

Hi

I think the advice on wearing socks wiht the hose is a good idea. I have found personally with shoes in general, there are some leathers that just dont breathe. I do great with Reebok and Sketchers, but when I wear my Avias my feel are always sweaty.

Important to keep the feet happy cause they keep us going all day long.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2004

I always sprinkle baby powder into my nursing shoes after I take them off, which helps keep them fresh. Then when I put them on the next time, the powder helps cut down on the moisture and odor. You could try switching to clogs so that you get more airflow around your feet. The trick about wearing cotton socks over the hose helps too and does feel more comfortable. I actually knew someone who wore the socks UNDER the hose as well.

TooterIA · Sep 11, 2004

Thank you for all the responses so far. I actually do wear socks over the hose and I was thinking that may be part of the problem, building up too much heat. I am planning on getting clogs soon and maybe that will help...

KRVRN, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2004

I wear mine with socks and clogs. When I wear mine with my Anywears, which are plastic/rubber, my feet smell a whole lot more than when I wear them with my Danskos, which are leather. I think it is because omy feet don't dry out as they sweat with the Anywears. Point being, I don't know how to completely prevent the smell, but I can suggest that you not buy plastic clogs!