Trendy sockless generation at risk of athlete’s foot

FOLLOWING the Hollywood fashion trend of wearing shoes without socks may cause fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, warn scientists. Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars have experimented with the style, including Bradley Cooper, Ryan Gosling, Orlando Bloom and Jude Law.

However, people are failing to realise the serious repercussions of the trend, researchers said.

Feet typically produce half a pint of sweat a day. Any moisture not soaked up by socks is maintained in synthetic and non-breathable material - leaving people vulnerable to fungal infections, they said.

‘Depending on the level of sweatiness of the foot, there may be issues with too much moisture in the feet, which can leave you vulnerable to fun- gal infections such as athlete’s foot,’ said Emma Stevenson, podiatrist at the College of Podiatry in the UK.

Many shoes available today may have leather uppers but are lined in synthetic material, which is not breathable.

However, if the lining is not breathable then moisture, heat and bacteria will all be trapped inside the shoe, The

Telegraph reported. Researchers also noted that ill-fitting footwear and a lack of socks could lead to issues like blisters and the formation of painful corns, calluses and ingrown toenails.