The one body part more than 75% of people don’t wash regularly in the shower…
It is the only part of the body that no less than three-quarters of people do not regularly wash in the shower.
But health officials are urging people to pay more attention to their feet and scrub them with soap at least every other day.
They say regular care can help a person avoid fungal infections — such as athlete’s foot — and problems with nails.
It comes after experts warned that fungal infections, including athlete’s foot, are becoming more common worldwide as they pick up resistance to treatments.
Health officials have urged people to wash their feet more often (stock image)
Many people often avoid washing their feet, assuming that the soapy water that naturally washes over them in the shower is enough.
There’s even a subgroup of people – called Podofobes – who are so grossed out by their feet that they can’t bear to look at their own feet, much less wash them.
But with up to a quarter of people in the US and UK alone infected with athlete’s foot, it may be wise to take more care of your feet.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – the US National Health Service – says online that people should wash their feet with soap and water every other day.
They should also make sure to scrub between the toes and dry the feet completely before putting on socks and shoes.
People with diabetes — one in ten Americans and six percent of Britons — should wash their feet daily, the agency said, and check them for sores, cuts and red blisters.
This is because the condition can reduce blood flow to the feet by narrowing blood vessels, putting them at greater risk for foot problems.
A survey by the Dollar Shave Club grooming brand found that many people refuse to wash their feet.
They found that 50 percent of men and women never bathe them, while another 25 percent said they don’t do it every day.
Other CDC suggestions for improving foot health include trimming toenails regularly, about every six to eight weeks, to keep them trimmed. They also recommend changing socks daily.
Not taking proper care of the feet can increase the risk of various problems in the area.
One of the most common of these is athlete’s foot, scientifically called tinea pedis, which is caused by a fungal infection of the skin, especially between the toes.
The mold can be easily picked up from hot and humid surfaces, such as locker rooms, public showers, and the sides of swimming pools.
Once contracted, it spreads quickly in the warm and humid environment of shoes and socks.
The infection can cause an itchy or burning sensation in the feet and can also cause the skin to peel and crack.
Treatment usually involves the use of antifungal medications, which can be applied as creams, powders, or sprays to the affected area.
Other problems that can develop on the feet include fungal nail infections – which affect 14 percent of Americans and up to eight percent of Britons – which cause nails to become thick, discolored and break.
This can be caused by absorbing fungi from the environment which can then enter the nail through a small break or tear and cause an infection.
People who don’t wash their feet regularly may also be at greater risk of contracting hookworm or a parasitic worm.
The infection can occur when the feet come into contact with contaminated soil where worm larvae or thrive, usually moist.
When you walk barefoot, the larvae can penetrate the skin of the feet, normally through the soles of the feet, and cause an infection.
Washing the feet regularly can help prevent infection as any eggs or larvae present on them are quickly removed.