Studies show that these pieces host both harmless and potentially dangerous pathogers
Your feet are focus on microbes. The area between the toes is full of sweat glands and, when we involve the feet with socks and shoes, we keep this humidity in a warm and humid cocoon which is ideal for microbial growth. In fact, your feet can accommodate a miniature rainforest of bacteria and mushrooms, with about 100-10 million microbial cells for the central surface surface surface of the skin.
The feet not only host a huge variety of microorganisms – up to 1,000 different species per person – but also have a wider variety of fungal species than any other part of the body. This means that your feet are not only sweaty or smelly, but they are sincerely biodiversity.
Since your feet are rich in microbes, socks become a privileged place for these same bacteria and mushrooms. Studies show that socks host both the harmless residents of the skin and negative and potentially dangerous pathogens, including Aspergillus, Staphylococcus, Candidate, Histoplasm AND Cryptococcus. These microbes develop in hot and humid spaces between the fingers of the feet, which feed on sweat and dead cells of the skin.
Its products, like volatile fatty acids, are what gives the feet, socks and sweaty shoes of that notorious smell. It is not the sweat itself that has a bad smell, but the microbial metabolism of this sweat. Perhaps it is not surprising that the stinking feet are so common that NHS has dedicated orientation pages on the subject.
The midfielder’s microbioma is not only influenced by his feet, but also reflects his environment. The socks collect microbes of all the surfaces where you go, including domestic floors, gym rugs, changing rooms and even your garden. They behave like microbial sponges, collecting bacteria and mushrooms from soil, water, hair and dandruff and the general dust of everyday life. In a study, the socks used for only 12 hours had bacteria and mushrooms higher from any tested clothing object.
And these microbes are not stopped. Everything that lives in socks can be transferred to shoes, floors, bed linen and even on the skin. In a hospital study, it was discovered that the socks used by patients transported microbes from the floor, including antibiotic resistant pathogens, hospital beds. This recalls that feet hygiene is not just a personal question: it can have wider implications for the control of infections and public health.
Overshealters
Calzini can also play a key role in the spread of fungal infections such as Tinea Pedis (better known as an athlete), a highly contagious condition that mainly affects the fingers of the feet, but can spread to the heels, hands or even the groin. The infection is caused by dermatophytes, who love hot and humid environments, only the type found in sweaty socks and narrow shoes.
To avoid this, experts recommend avoiding barefoot in shared spaces, such as gyms and swimming pools, do not share socks, towels or shoes and practice the hygiene of the good feet, which includes washing and drying between the fingers. The topical antifungal treatments are generally effective, but prevention is fundamental.
It is also important to note that socks can keep fungal spores even after washing. So if you have had the athlete’s foot, use the same couple again – even if it seems clean – you can trigger a reinfection.
The safest approach is to wear new socks every day and allow shoes to dry completely between uses. Choose breathable fabrics and avoid shoes that retain the heat or cause excessive sweating.
How to wash socks correctly
Most of the clothing washing tips focus on the conservation of fabrics, colors and shape, but when it comes to socks, hygiene is more important. Studies show that washing at typical national temperatures (30-40 ° C) may not be enough to kill bacteria and mushrooms. In fact, badly washed socks can act as car vectors, especially in homes with vulnerable people.
To correctly sanitize the socks:
- Transfect them inside before washing them to expose the internal surface, where most microbes accumulate;
- Use a detergent based on enzymes that helps to break sweat and skin waste;
- Wash at 60 ° C when possible, since the highest temperature helps to separate and kill microbes;
- Pass the steam socks if it is necessary to wash them at lower temperatures: the heat of the iron can destroy the residual spores.
Cotton socks tend to better tolerate temperatures higher than synthetic mixtures, which makes them a better option for people subject to fungal infections. The drying socks in direct sunlight can also help: UV light has known antimicrobial effects.
The forensic power of the microbiomes socks
Your socks can say more about you than you think. In an investigation for American murder, forensic scientists wore ground bacteria found in the socks of a suspicion to connect them to the burial site of a victim.
The microbial profile of the socks corresponded very well to the crime scene, suggesting that the socks had collected and preserved specific soil microbes. This emerging field of forensic microbiology shows how microbial signatures can offer precious traces in legal contexts.
Remember that the ecosystems we bring to our bodies – and our clothes – are not only complexes and detectors, but also surprisingly durable. Whether to help resolve crimes or feed a fungal epidemic, socks are much more biologically active than they seem.
So the next time you take a sweaty couple at the end of the day, think of the microscopic universe you are walking. And perhaps, perhaps, opt for that washing of 60 degrees.
Primrosi Freestone He is a professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester, England
This content was originally published in The conversation. To access it, .
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
