Can you wear the same socks for several days? Microbiologists give a clear answer
Wearing the same jeans or sweater for several days is common. But does this rule apply to socks? Scientists warn: if you knew who lives in them after just one day of wearing, you wouldn't even think about it.
Photo: vecteezy.com
Our feet are a complex microscopic ecosystem. They serve as a habitat for approximately 1000 different species of bacteria and fungi. Moreover, the diversity of fungal flora is higher on the feet than on any other part of the body. Add to this the density of sweat glands (one of the highest in the body) — and you get an ideal incubator for microorganisms.
As The Conversation writes, most of these microbes prefer warm and moist areas between the toes. There, they feed on nutrients from sweat and dead epidermal cells. It is the metabolic products of these organisms that create an unpleasant odor. For example, one bacterium synthesizes a substance whose smell resembles rotten onions, another — cheese, and a third produces an acid with a specific pungent odor (often compared to "goat-like").
The more the feet sweat, the more nutrients bacteria get, and the more pronounced the smell becomes. Socks trap moisture, creating optimal conditions for them.
At the same time, microorganisms are very tenacious: on cotton fabric, they can survive for up to 90 days. Therefore, reusing unwashed socks only promotes colony growth.
An analysis of the microbial composition of items after a single use revealed a colossal difference. While about 83,000 bacteria were found on a T-shirt after a day's wear, this figure reached 8-9 million on socks. Among them are not only harmless skin inhabitants but also opportunistic pathogens (e.g., Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, or Candida) capable of causing respiratory and intestinal infections.
Photo: Cody Duncan / Getty Images
Experts note that in addition to the foot's "native" microflora, microbes from the environment also settle in socks — for example, from the home floor or gym. And these microorganisms are easily transferred further — to any surfaces the fabric touches: your shoes, bed, sofa, or carpet. This means that dirty socks can become carriers of fungus that causes athlete's foot. That is why it is critically important not to share socks or shoes with other people, and not to walk in the same socks or barefoot in public changing rooms and showers.
To protect your health, microbiologists strongly advise changing socks daily. Products made of cotton, wool, or synthetics are not designed for repeated wearing without washing. Theoretical exceptions may be only specialized models with antimicrobial properties (e.g., with silver or zinc ions) or bamboo products, which allow better air circulation, but even these should not be overused.
Photo: markformelle.com
It is also important to take proper care of your clothes. Regular washing at 30-40°C is not capable of completely destroying all fungi and their spores. To reliably disinfect socks, scientists recommend using a temperature of 60°C and detergents with added enzymes (biologically active substances that break down organic contaminants).
If washing at high temperatures is not possible, ironing with a hot iron or drying in the open air will help, as the sun's ultraviolet radiation has a bactericidal effect.
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