Here’s a query that sold as a short to Women’s Health magazine. The query was so thorough that I didn’t have to do much additional reporting to create the short. I love coming up with ideas that are kind of — well, not something you’d want your mom to read. (Remember, I also wrote Dojo Mojo for Women’s Health, about how to use martial arts to spice up your sex life!) I did interview a couple of people quickly for this pitch, and found the rest of the info through online research.
Smell Check
There’s nothing more embarrassing that taking off your Manolos — and giving off a whiff of foot funk. Unless it’s having a friend or coworker let you know that your breath is less than fresh.
In “Smell Check” I’ll tell Women’s Health’s readers how to deal with stinky snafus that they may be too embarrassed to seek help for:
• Funk Down Under: “There are several causes of vaginal odor,” says Adelaide Nardone, MD, an OB/GYN in Providence, RI. “Bacteria mixed with sweat is a common culprit and can be taken care of with foaming washes and sweat-absorbing powders.” But if your normal smell suddenly takes on a different characteristic, see your gyno — you may have an infection such as bacterial vaginosis. I’ll give readers more details on how to nix the P.U. factor in the nether regions.
• Gas Attack. As the old saying goes, “If you denied it, you supplied it.” In the large intestine, foreign enzymes known as “gas enzymes” consume undigested nutrients by breaking their chemical bonds. This process produces gases, and the “end” result is the dog getting blamed for something he didn’t do. In this section, I’ll tell readers the reasons behind flatulence, including eating too many carbs, swallowing air, and intestinal infections, and how to nip gas attacks in the butt — er, bud.
• Stinky Feet: Two of the most common sources of tootsie stench are the bacteria corynebacteria and micrococci, which thrive in the warm, moist environment your socks and shoes provide. If stepped-up hygiene doesn’t work, tea soaks, benzoyl peroxide gel, or antiperspirants may help. For severe cases, prescription solutions exist. I’ll discuss all the options in this section.
• B.O.: Don’t blame sweat — sweat is nothing more than water and salts expelled by the sweat glands to control body temperature. It’s bacteria on your skin that mixes with the sweat to produce body odor. In case regular deodorants and antiperspirants don’t cut the stink, there are several prescription solutions I’ll describe in this section.
• Bad Breath: Nearly 40 million Americans suffer from halitosis. Smoking, pungent food, gum disease, and common drugs share some of the blame, says Katie Williams, special projects assistant for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. Some solutions I’ll offer up here include snacking on apples or celery to clear away loose food, avoiding alcohol-based mouthwashes and sugary mints, rinsing after meals if you don’t have a toothbrush handy, and using tongue scrapers.
I’ve written for more than 100 magazines, including health-related articles for Family Circle, Woman’s Day, Men’s Fitness, Psychology Today, Oxygen, and more. May I write “Smell Check” for you?
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