...Experts designed a mobile flip-flop lab, tested a pair of flip-flops and found more than 18,000 bacteria on just one pair of flip-flops. They were surprised when they discovered the number of germs which represented bacteria from fecal matter, skin and respiratory germs. A pair belonging to a first grader had bacteria that caused yeast infection and diaper rash. Just shocking!

When the New York Daily News tested two pair of flip-flops that had been in the city park, subway station and one of the two went into a public restroom at an amusement park, they found about 13,900 more bacteria than the one who visited the restroom.

I was alarmed when they reported the shoes contained the life-threatening germ Staphylococcus aureus.

The specialist they had on the show, Dr. Philip M. Tierno Jr, director of clinical microbiology and immunology at Langone Medical Center, said it's a serious problem especially when there's an open blister on a foot or if the shoes are handled with hands.

"That particular organism can give you a serious infection like a boil, or more serious, it could possess toxins," Tierno said. "They can make you very sick or kill you."...

My husband and I took our son and some teens to Six Flags a few weeks ago. One of the girl's feet started to swell toward the end of the day. When her flip-flops started making a blister on her feet she ended up going barefoot. If I knew what I know now, I would have had a feet washing session before the ride home.

To protect ourselves, Dr. Tierno suggested keeping flip-flops for the beach, the pool and maybe around our home and to replace them often.

For those of us who are still going to wear them and have them in every color of the 64 Crayola crayon box, we should avoid touching — as much as possible — our flip-flops and even our unwashed feet.

http://www.clevelandbanner.com/index.cfm?e...7EC78A8B106DD72

things that make people become germaphob's.

Staph aureus

Staph aureus (methaclin resistant aka MRSA)

Group A Strep

Group B Strep

Strep Pneumoniae

Clostridium difficle

Eikenella

Candida albicans

Just a small list of things that are more then likely on your skin, in your mouth or in your colon right now that if they were to go someplace else or grow too much could cause you to get sick and perhaps die. This study really proves nothing except its probably not a great idea to lick the bottom of your shoes.

things that make people become germaphob's.

Aggreed how many years have we went on not knowing that info, and no deaths from flip flops yet.....

I just do the basic things like shower daily wash my hands before and after eating ect.....

This study really proves nothing except its probably not a great idea to lick the bottom of your shoes.

Oops. Too late .

That's so gross!

This study really proves nothing except its probably not a great idea to lick the bottom of your shoes.

Oops. Too late .

That's so gross!

lmao , how bout the piece of gum

things that make people become germaphob's.

Aggreed how many years have we went on not knowing that info, and no deaths from flip flops yet.....

...that you know of.

... and you do know?

Nope. But I bet at least one person died of something contracted from their flip-flops! That being said, I also see the other side. We have so anti-bacterialized and antiseptic-ed up our society, it is little wonder so many are allergic to so many things. For instance, in my generation, being allergic to peanuts was unheard of. Meaning? One of two things, if not more. a. There were fewer children with peanut allergies and/or b. many if not most of those few who were allergic didn't survive long enough to be diagnosed.

It was a different time, a simpler time...and one that in many ways was not as nice as many would like to think.

Nope. But I bet at least one person died of something contracted from their flip-flops! That being said, I also see the other side. We have so anti-bacterialized and antiseptic-ed up our society, it is little wonder so many are allergic to so many things. For instance, in my generation, being allergic to peanuts was unheard of. Meaning? One of two things, if not more. a. There were fewer children with peanut allergies and/or b. many if not most of those few who were allergic didn't survive long enough to be diagnosed.

It was a different time, a simpler time...and one that in many ways was not as nice as many would like to think.

Kinda like sleeping in lead based paint cribs back in the day, and not having cell phones, and babies not having to have all the little "safety features" that are out there today... including toys back in the day... *sigh* and i'm not even that old!! i hate living in split generations lol

Another reason to convince me to not wear flip flops to an amusement park.

Although it is nice to not have to walk around with wet shoes and socks after riding a water ride...

We have so anti-bacterialized and antiseptic-ed up our society, it is little wonder so many are allergic to so many things.

As long as you're not extremely ill or you don't die, germs are good for you in the long run. They build up your immune system. Very true.