Gatsby Shoes’ Gabriel Miller has offered his advice for good footwear etiquette when on holiday and how best to avoid having a trip ruined by an unpleasant lower leg infection
A dreamy holiday idyll can quickly turn into a toe-based infection catastrophe if you don’t practice proper footwear etiquette, a shoe expert has warned.
What seems like a harmless and comfortable choice – going barefoot around the hotel pool – can actually expose you to risks that might turn your leisurely poolside escape into a distressing nightmare. Walking without shoes around resort pools may seem natural, but it’s in fact fraught with health hazards, according to Gatsby Shoes’ expert Gabriel Miller.
The laces, soles and tongue insider highlights the potential hazards of wandering around pool areas without proper footwear.
Gabriel strongly advises against wearing the same shoes in the pool area as you do elsewhere, to lower the chances of adding something unpleasant to the poll side environment. “Shoes that have been worn on the pool deck should be considered contaminated. If you wear them in other areas, you risk spreading pathogens,” he explained.
He recommends avoiding shoes made of cloth or mesh when around the pool, as these materials absorb contaminants and stay damp longer, fostering microbial growth. For safe and hygienic pool visits, Gabriel is in favour of wearing water shoes or flip-flops made of rubber or another waterproof material. “Choose shoes that provide a good grip, are easy to clean, and dry quickly to reduce the risk of slips and microbial growth,” he recommends.
He also warns that pool decks can be breeding grounds for bacteria, viruses, and fungi due to the warm, moist environment. Gabriel points out: “Walking barefoot exposes you to pathogens like plantar warts, athlete’s foot, and ringworm, which thrive in these conditions. These organisms can easily invade small cuts or abrasions on unprotected feet, leading to uncomfortable and sometimes serious infections.”
Some of the grimiest on offer can be picked up poolside. They include:
- Plantar Warts: Caused by the human papillomavirus, these warts commonly develop on the soles of the feet. They are painful and can be quite persistent, often requiring professional treatment.
- Athlete’s Foot: This fungal infection leads to itching, redness, and cracking skin, particularly between the toes. It’s highly contagious and can spread through direct contact with contaminated surfaces.
- Ringworm: Despite its name, ringworm is a fungal infection characterised by ring-shaped, red, itchy patches on the skin. It can easily be contracted from pool decks and other communal areas where fungus may live.
It’s not the first time that UK holidaymakers have been issued a warning about their choice of footwear. In fact, if you’re heading to hotspots like Capri you may want to seriously consider the shoes you pack, as wearing noisy flip-flops could actually land you with a hefty fine. That’s because it’s illegal to wear ‘excessively noisy’ footwear as locals value their ‘peace and quiet’, and the rhythmical thwack of rubber on stone is considered too annoying.
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