The Dirt On Flip Flops

Favorite Footwear of Summer a Major Germ Magnet

(CBS)  Flip flops are a summer fashion favorite - but the grime on your feet after wearing them could contain some dangerous bacteria.

The New York Daily News recently sent two reporters out in New York City wearing flip flops for four days.

Lab tests on the flip flops found E.coli, staphylococcus aureus - which is all over our skin - and fecal matter. None of this is a big surprise, according to CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton.

Ashton reminds us that the vast majority of people used to walk around barefoot before the flip flop was created and they were fine.

If you have a healthy immune system, bacteria found on flip flops does not pose any significant danger.

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"If you have a big laceration or cut on your foot or if you have a weakened immune system, [use] common sense - wash it with soap and don't walk around with open-toe shoes or flip flops," she said.

Ashton said it should not be a shock to anyone that bacteria are collected on flip flops - because germs are everywhere.

"Have there been people who have gotten some pretty bad skin infections because they've been wearing flip flops or walked barefoot? Sure," she said. But Ashton warns that cell phones are loaded with bacteria, too.

Ashton said in her optinion, food poisoning, which can contain bacteria, is a more significant health risk than germy flip flops.

"We can't lead our lives in a sterile environment, and this is a perfect example to illustrate that," she said.

[wtcarlis]

What next? Germs on motorcycle seats? Somehow I feel more threatened by city buses and UPS trucks. What can brown do to you?

[rf35]

Congrats CBS...this may be the stupidist thing you've ever published.

[ampsanne]

I'll tell you what is dangerous about them. Women that wear them for driving. Your foot is flopping around and what happens if you have to slam on the brakes in a hurry to avoid an accident. I think feet are ugly to begin with and have yet to see a pair of perfect feet. Just invites infection should you stumble and fall in them.

[justsane-2009]

every year they come up with something to convince us that flip-flops are dangerous. this may be the lamest yet...

[pcevet4]

I used to think I had a foot fetish, until these ladies with the big gawky clown feet started wearing flip flops to work on the subway. Then came ankle tatoos. Praise the Lord, I have been miraculously cured.

[reddboots]

And this is news?

[aChangeOfIdeas]

I guess that's the level of science we should expect from the NY Daily News. Really, newsflash - bacteria on the street!