GB2268401A

GB2268401A - Smelly feet prevention

Info

Publication number: GB2268401A
Application number: GB9212401A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Cromwell Heard; Geoffrey Heard; Anne Eleanor Heard
Original assignee: HEARD ANNE E
Current assignee: HEARD ANNE E
Priority date: 1992-06-11
Filing date: 1992-06-11
Publication date: 1994-01-12
Also published as: GB9212401D0

Abstract

A mat for use in the treatment or prevention of smelly feet comprises a bibulous material holding a composition of phenol or mixture of phenols. The composition is applied to clothed or bare feet by placing the foot on the mat and applying pressure to release the composition from the mat. The composition may also include-an inert carrier, such a macrogel.

Description

TREATMENT OF SMELLY FEET This invention relates to treatment of smelly feet.

Smelly feet, sometimes referred to as osmidrosis or bromidrosis of the feet, is a common and inconvenient condition in which the sufferer is prone to strong offensive foot odours, not necessarily through lack of personal hygiene. These odours are thought to be caused by the presence and growth of unobserved fungi or other micro-organisms.

Phenol and derivatives of it have been used as disinfectants for many years.

International Patent Application No. PCT/GB91/02116 discloses use of phenol in treatment of smelly feet or other parts of the body. Also described are compositions for application to the relevant part of the body or to a garment or dressing which is to contact the part of the body to be treated. Application may be by means of an ointment, an aerosol or a push-up 'stick' or 'roll-on' applicator all of which are well known for the application of topical cosmetics. Experimental data in PCT/GB91/02116 demonstrate the surprising effect achievable by application of a phenol containing composition to garments daily for a period of several days. Following a course of treatment, former owners of smelly feet were found to be free from affliction for very long periods.

Experience has shown that some people find it tiresome to have to apply a deodorising composition to their feet or socks daily, even if only for several days.

Application to the inside of socks or stockings (so that the composition contacts the skin) can be a somewhat fiddly process, requiring each garment in turn to be turned inside out before the deodorant is applied, for example using an aerosol or 'stick' or 'roll-on' applicator, with subsequent returning of the garment to its original conformation before donning.

The present invention provides convenient means and methods for treatment of smelly feet.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is a method for treatment or prevention of smelly feet, the method comprising (i) placing a foot on a bibulous mat which is holding a composition comprising a phenol or a mixture of phenols, and (ii) using the foot to apply pressure on the mat so that it releases some of the composition, which is thereby caused or allowed to contact the foot.

In a preferred embodiment of the method the above steps are performed firstly with a naked foot prior to donning of a sock, stocking or other garment for the foot, then repeated with the clothed foot so that the garment comes into contact with the composition. In this way both the foot and the sock, stocking or other garment are treated with the phenol-containing composition.

A convenient way of performing the invention is for the owner of the foot or feet to be treated to stand on the mat so that their own body weight causes release of the composition. This might be after bathing or showering or whilst getting dressed, for instance. In the above mentioned preferred method of the present invention, the person whose feet are treated may stand on the mat whilst dressing, their bare feet contacting the mat and therefore released composition before they put on their socks. If the person then continues to stand in their socks on the mat whilst completing their dressing then the socks too will contact the composition.

Clothing material being absorbent, this provides for extended contact of the foot with the composition throughout the day.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steps of one of the described methods are performed daily for a period of several days, perhaps of the order of 3-10 days or a week, followed by a longer period in which the method is not performed, the composition not being applied to the feet or footwear during that longer Period.

Another aspect of the present invention is a mat made of bibulous material impregnated with a composition which comprises a phenol or a mixture of phenols, the mat being compressible for release of the composition on application of pressure. The mat is envisaged for use in one of the methods of the present invention.

For use in the method of the present invention, the mat should have an area of at least large enough for a foot to be placed on it, preferably large enough for a person to stand with both their feet on it. This might be of the order of about 100cm2 to 1600cm2, for instance.

A suitable thickness would be of the order of 0.5cm The material of the mat, bibulous to hold the composition, may be felt, perhaps lambswool, or foam, sponge, indeed any material with the desired characteristics. The mat should release on application of pressure at least some of the composition which it holds.

The mat may sit in a tray, perhaps of a plastic material such as polypropylene to be light but resistant to detrimental effects of the phenolic composition and accidental knocks. Conveniently, the tray may have a lid which should be easy to open and close.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the composition comprises phenol in a concentration preferably of 0.5 to 1% W/W phenol combined with any suitable inert carrier. Macrogols may be used in the composition, preferably polyethylene glycol (PEG), suitably of molecular weight of between 300 and 800. If necessary, PEG may be thinned with distilled water.

Compositions including greater than 1% W/W phenol can be used, if appropriate.

Apart from phenol itself (C6H50H), the term "phenol" as used herein is intended to have broad meaning unless the context indicates otherwise. It covers halogenated phenols, bisphenols, cresols, xylenols and other alkyl phenols, tar acids and so on.

Claims

1. A mat comprising a bibulous material impregnated with a composition comprising a phenol or a mixture of phenols, wherein the mat is compressible to allow the release of the composition.

2. The mat according to claim 1 large enough to allow a user to place both feet on it.

3. The mat according to claim 2 having an area of about 100 to 1600cm2.

4. The mat according to any one of claims 1 to 3 having a thickness of about 0.5cm.

5. The mat according to any preceding claim wherein the bibulous material is felt, lambswool, foam or sponge.

6. The mat according to any preceding claim wherein the composition comprises a 0.5 to 1% w/w of a phenol or mixture of phenol in an inert carrier.

7. The mat according to claim 6 wherein the inert carrier is one or more macrogels.

8. A mat substantially as described herein.

9. A method for cosmetic treatment or prevention of smelly feet comprising; (i) placing a foot on a bibulous mat which is holding a composition comprising a phenol or a mixture of phenols, and (ii) using the foot to apply pressure on the mat so that it releases some of the composition, which is thereby caused or allowed to contact the foot.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the method is repeated on a bare and clothed foot.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the method is repeated for 3 to 10 days, followed by a period when the method is not performed.

12. A method substantially as described herein.