The tweet from journalist Conor Arpwel became one of the main topics of discussion on social networks and even became a reason for ridicule of superstar Taylor Swift. As it turns out, the question of whether you wash your feet when you go to the shower is one of the most pressing questions for Twitter users.
Since the poll was published on May 9, more than 850,000 users have responded to it, not counting those who conducted similar polls in their accounts at a later date. It turned out that only four out of five representatives of the human race regularly wash their feet in the shower. The sample of the survey is so huge that it is quite possible to judge not only the inhabitants of North America, but also the rest of the world. It is unlikely that the picture will be very different, be it Europe or South America.
The question seemed very interesting and TV presenter Ellen DeGeneres, who, during an interview with Taylor Swift, asked the singer a seemingly innocent question about washing her feet and heard a very original answer. The star replied that she shaves her legs in the shower, and the shaving cream is practically soap, so she technically washes her feet.
Ellen: So when you don’t shave your legs, you don’t wash them? Taylor: No, I cannot say that Ellen: But you just said that. Taylor: I shave my legs every day. Ellen: How hairy you are! Now I understand why you don't come to us more often.
Many users immediately dubbed Taylor dirty, although there were those who defended the singer's point of view. Shaving cream really consists of components identical to ordinary soap, so the moment of shaving your legs can be counted as washing your feet, but what about your feet? Should you pay special attention to them every time you shower?
According to Joshua Seichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, Taylor Swift's manipulations are enough as a daily foot wash.
“If your feet are not very dirty, you don’t need to wash them separately. The soap or shower gel that drips down your feet as you wash is enough to wash away most of the dirt and sweat from your feet during the day. Washing your feet too thoroughly, like any other part of the body, can wash away the layer of sebum from the skin and deprive it of its natural defenses. This can lead to inflammation and other troubles,”the doctor assures.
It would seem that this is the Flawless Victory of those 20% of humanity who do not wash their feet. However, there is a strong case for the majority, which gives extra attention to the legs.
“All of the above does not apply to the skin of the feet. She needs to be given much more attention, since she is much more susceptible to environmental influences. Even if you have walked in shoes and socks all day, the skin between your toes requires thorough washing, as pathogenic bacteria and fungus can develop in this area, which can lead to diseases like the athlete's foot. Therefore, if you train often or you just have sweaty feet, then this is already enough reason to wash them,”Seichner emphasized.
"Athlete's foot" is called dermatophytosis of the feet. It is a fungal infection that affects the folds of skin between the toes and feet.
So even if you belong to the camp that washes your feet exclusively on holidays, after workouts or on hot days, do not be too lazy to wash your feet and the space between your toes.
