In the pursuit of foot health and comfort, anti-bacterial shoe pads are favoured by many consumers as a common foot-care product. Many believe that all fungi infections in the feet can be prevented by using anti-bacterial shoe pads, and from that time on, for example, absconding. However, this is a widely disseminated but false perception that requires us to examine in depth the truth behind it.
The main method of work for anti-bacterial shoe pads is the addition of anti-bacterial properties, such as silver ion, nanopowl and organic antibacterial agents, to the footwear material. These antibacterial ingredients can inhibit the growth and reproduction of micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi and, to some extent, the aroma of the feet, sweat, etc., and create a relatively clean environment for the feet. But it is too much to claim that it prevents all fungi infections in the foot.
The source of fungi infection in the foot is complex. Fungi is widespread in our living environments, such as public bathrooms, swimming pools, gymnasium dressing rooms, and so on, and so on, various pathological fungi, such as red muscular fungi, stuporella, etc., which are extremely contagious and, when exposed to the right environment — our warm, wet and nutritious foot skins — quickly take root and cause infection. And the anti-bacterial shoe pads, while they act as a deterrent to the microbes on their surfaces, do not change the external fungus environment in which we live, nor do they guarantee that all fungi spores are prevented from touching and attached to the foot skin.
Moreover, the physiological structure of the foot and the dress habits provide an opportunity for fungi infections. Our feet are heavily sweaty, and daily sweaty, especially when they are hot and wet after exercise, long walking or wearing inflatable shoes, and even if they have anti-bacterial shoe pads, they can breed fungus in between toes, bottoms, etc. Furthermore, the material of the shoes, the suitability of the size of the shoes, and the hygiene of the individual, such as changing shoes and socks, are closely related to the occurrence of fungal infections. The risk of infection remains high if these factors are ignored by relying solely on antibacterial shoe pads.
In addition, fungi are diverse and resilient. The long-term use of antibacterial shoe pads may result in resistance in parts of fungi, as in the case of bacterial antibiotics, which gradually adapt and survive in the “antibacterial environment” created by antibacterial shoe pads, and continue to pose a threat to foot health. Once this happens, the otherwise effective anti-bacterial shoe pads may become non-existent and fungi infections will become more difficult to treat.
We should look at the role of anti-bacterial shoe pads right. It can serve as an aid to the prevention of foot fungi infection, helping us to reduce the growth of regular foot microorganisms, to keep feet dry and clean and to reduce the risk of infection. However, effective prevention of foot fungi infection requires a combination of measures. For example, the choice of air-breeding, comfortable shoes, changing and keeping shoes and socks clean and dry, avoiding barefooting in public places and regularly disinfecting shoes, etc. At the same time, maintaining good hygiene practices and enhancing physical immunity are key factors in preventing fungal infections.
Antibacterial shoe pads have a positive effect on foot health care, but they must not be deified as being scientifically unscientific to prevent all fungi infections in the foot. If we are to effectively prevent and respond to foot fungi infections and keep our feet healthy and comfortable, we need to develop the right foot care concept and adopt a comprehensive and scientific approach.
