Flip flops can be good for your health

It's "back to school" time and college dorm showers are an ideal place for bacteria (like athelete's foot) and fungi to grow. Showers are moist environments, and all it takes is one person with athlete’s foot or some other foot condition to make life worse for everyone on the dorm floor.

Even if the common bathroom showers are cleaned daily, you do not want to shower barefoot. In fact, you should never even enter the dorm bathroom barefoot. Always go in with socks, flip flops, shoes, or some sort of protection for your feet. (Why? Some people have been known to urinate in the showers, and do some weird stuff in the shower.)

For a cheap investment of only several dollars, a simple pair of flip flops  or Crocs (anything waterproof) can save you a lot of hassle and embarrassment from foot fungus or other bacteria at college. Showering with shoes on may be awkward at first, but once you get used to it, you’ll be glad you made the switch.
When it comes time to wash your feet in the shower, simply do it one foot at a time — pull one foot out of your flip flop and balance on the other foot. Be sure to scrub each foot thoroughly as most people don't remember to 'wash' their feet.

Also don't forget to wash your "shower shoes" periodically. Hot soapy water and a little scrubbing should do the trick.

The Bad, the Ugly and the Smelly


1 Athlete's foot is the most common fungal infection and is caused by a fungus that grows on or in the top layer of skin.

     There are actually three types of athlete's foot: toe web, moccasin-type and vesicular infections.

          Toe web infections usually occur between the fourth and fifth toe. The skin becomes scaly, peels and cracks.

          Moccasin-type infections start with soreness on the foot. Then the skin on the bottom or heel of the foot can become thick and crack.

          Vesicular infections begin with sudden outbreaks of large, fluid-filled blisters under the skin.

You can treat most cases at home with over-the-counter lotion, cream or spray. For severe cases, doctors may prescribe pills or medication to apply to the skin.

2 Some signs of nail fungus are thickening, yellowish discoloration, "toe jam" and breakage of the nails.

3 Plantar warts, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), can enter the body through tiny cuts or cracks on the feet. It's contracted mainly through walking barefoot in public places - like residence hall restrooms.


What can you do to prevent any and all of  theses? Scrubbing your feet, wearing the right socks, letting your feet breathe and never going barefoot.