By Sam Fowler, PMAC, Office Manager, Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates
Most people wouldn’t think of wearing the same shirt, socks, or underwear for days on end without washing them. They’d not only look a bit grungy but would probably begin to smell. We don’t usually clean the inside of our shoes—after all, they can’t be tossed into the washing machine—so it’s no surprise that smelly shoes are a problem for many people. On average, your feet sweat up to half a pint (eight ounces) per foot per day! That sweat is absorbed into your shoes. The combination of sweat and heat inside your shoes make it an ideal breeding ground for the bacteria and fungi that not only causes shoes to smell, but also causes toenail fungus and athlete’s foot.
Even if you don’t wear the same shoes every day, hidden fungus spores can remain dormant for months, just waiting for a little heat and moisture (i.e. sweat) to germinate and start attacking your feet. And if you believe socks are protecting your feet, think again: microscopic fungus spores in your shoes slip right through the fabric of socks and onto your feet. Besides the sometimes-bad odor of shoes, when a foot ailment exists, shoes are a common cause of re-infection.
There is a product that can easily destroy the microorganisms living in your shoes. It’s called the SteriShoe Shoe Sanitizer, and it is scientifically proven to destroy up to 99.9 percent of microorganisms, including the bacteria and fungi that cause toenail fungus, athlete’s foot, and foot odor. SteriShoe works by utilizing a special germicidal ultraviolent light (UVC) to kill bacteria, fungi, and germs. UVC technology has been used as a germicide for decades in hospital operating rooms. You just put the shoe-shaped device in the shoes and turn it on!
If you’ve ever had any sort of toenail fungus, you know how hard it is to get rid of. Shoe sanitation is a frequently forgotten step when treating toenail fungus, athlete’s foot, and other foot conditions. To fully minimize the risk of a new foot infection or re-infection, the germs inside shoes must be eradicated. The Sterishoe system is also a great choice for people with diabetes, people whose shoes have a foul odor that won’t go away, or anyone who is concerned with foot hygiene in general.
For more information on SteriShoe Shoe Sanitizer, contact Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates at 309-661-9975, online at
www.HeartlandFootAndAnkle.com, or stop by 10 Heartland Dr. Suite B in Bloomington for a demonstration!