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Sep 8, 2009 5:45 pm US/Eastern
The Truth About Flip Flops And Germs
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
Flip flops trudge through everything from city streets to bathrooms to mud and grime, so it's not surprising they're covered with germs.
KDKA-TV collected a bunch of flip flops worn for the summer and took them to a local lab for testing. Here's what grew.
Labs have found bacteria from skin, fecal matter, and respiratory germs.
"It sounds very scary, when you hear germs like psuedomonas, and certain kinds of fungus are on the foot," Dr. Andrew Nowalk said.
However, are these flip flop wearers scared?
It can sound scary, but bacteria are all around us.
"When people say 'oh there are all these bacteria on flip flops,' you want to point out there are probably more bacteria in your mouth far and away than on the surface of your flip flop," Nowalk said.
The danger is if you have a cut or open skin on your foot that germs can get into your body and possibly cause a serious infection. So keep any wounds covered or just don't wear open shoes if you're in that situation.
A little common sense can go a long way.
"If you have a dirty pair of flip flops and it's the end of the summer, throw them in the garbage can. They typically aren't that expensive," Nowalk said.
Keep in mind, germs like these are everywhere. We just don't go culturing everything. So to limit your exposure, consider wearing flip flops only at the beach or pool. Don't wear them around the house and wash your hands if you've touched your shoes, no matter what type they are.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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