Nothing is exciting about having damp, dirty or ill-fitting socks. Nor can anything good come from them either! When you get ready in the morning, go to the gym, take a hike, or travel, chances are you put on clean socks. We all know that we wear socks to prevent our feet from getting dirty, but "dirty" is a very underappreciated term when it comes to foot health and Florida living.
Here are 10 reasons you might look at socks differently:
1. Damp socks can promote fungal growth. Athlete's foot, as it's commonly called, is easily spread to other areas of the body, and even poses a risk in communal places, like at the beach or in a gym.
2. Socks are barriers against items that can wound the foot. Bacteria can thrive on dirty feet and grows rapidly in warm, damp socks. A bacterial infection can lead to painful wounds, possibly even be life-threatening.
3. Socks that are too small or poorly fitting can put someone at risk for poor circulation. Nerves can be compromised, blood flow reduced, and the risk for wounds and compromised immune response can rise.
4. Material that is too thin or socks that have holes can lead to blisters. For individuals who have no other form of transportation than their feet, this can cause a great deal of stress. Blisters can also be a gateway to infection. For diabetics, any wound on the foot can lead to permanent damage, even amputation.
5. Socks can provide simple, but effective cushioning against painful foot deformities. If you have a corn, bunion, hammertoe, even an ingrown toenail, you know that direct pressure can make walking unbearable.
6. Verruca plantaris (Plantar Warts) is caused by a virus that enters the skin through sometimes microscopic cracks. Clean, dry socks can help block this virus from ever entering the foot. While not the most highly contagious, the virus does thrive in warm, moist areas, such as locker rooms and around swimming pools, where it can be contracted.
7. In Florida, anywhere you are outside you are at risk for attacks from fire ants, mosquitoes, chiggers, ticks, or other unsavory pests. Socks can be a barrier from their bites, infestations, and potentially deadly illnesses, like Lyme disease or the West Nile Virus.
8. Feet that are exposed to the elements or not maintained properly can crack. Properly fitting, clean socks can help moisturizers restore damaged skin safely.
9. Foot odor results from sweat, dirt, and bacteria. It can be very embarrassing, and can lead to isolation and a downward slope of poor hygiene.
10. Trench foot happens when one is exposed to cold, wet, and unsanitary conditions. While more infamous for being a reality of war, trench foot can take hold in as little as 13 hours in the right conditions and one study found as much as 5% of the Homeless population suffered from it. Just as painful on the feet are tropical ulcers, also known as Jungle Rot. Both can lead to gangrene and require intense medical treatment, possibly loss of limb.
Who knew how important those new socks, that most of us take for granted, can be?
There are many more reasons that having proper, clean, dry socks can have an impact, but one of the most important is this: Getting back on one's feet, as the saying goes, is much easier accomplished with healthy, well-cared-for feet! This is why donations of socks to Blanket Tampa Bay is so important! If you would like to donate new socks, flip-flops, shoes or foot care items, please contact beth@blankettampabay.com.
Information source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5147925/
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