TODAY, with the help of the University of Miami emergency mobile flip-flop lab tested some footwear and found that there were more than 18,000 bacteria on just one pair of flip-flops. Even more shocking than the number of germs were the type represented — bacteria from fecal matter, skin and respiratory germs. One pair of 6-year-old flip-flops had germs that cause yeast infection and diaper rash. The New York Daily News recently tested two pairs of flip-flops as well, ones that traipsed through bars in New York’s West Village, plodded through Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, rode 2 and 3 subway trains, attended a Brooklyn Cyclones game in Coney Island and rode the Cyclone roller coaster. One pair wandered into the Coney Island subway station’s public restroom.
They found that the shoes that flopped their way into that public restroom harbored about 13,900 more bacteria than the other pair. Germs can be especially problematic if you have an open cut or blister on your foot, or if you handle your flip-flops a lot with your hands. (NBC’s Michelle Kosinski )
Avoid touching your flip-flops and your unwashed feet as much as possible. Consider reserving those flip-flops as part of your beach or poolside attire only.
Tags: Bacteria, Feet, Flip Flops, Pool Attire
