Uggs: you either love ’em or hate ’em. Almost every starlet in Hollywood seems to have been on Team Ugg at some point in the last few years, and they’re still remarkably prevalent on celebrity feet, years after the style was declared dead. But if anything can end the trend, it may be the emerging idea that they can cause foot fungus.
“Fungus breeds in dark, wet environments–conditions that are usually seen inside trendy sheepskin boots,” Dr. Olivier Zong, DPM, told the Fashionista blog. Ick.
But other podiatrists couldn’t agree less.
“Uggs have a wool lining so if anything I would think that they would absorb the sweat [that leads to foot fungus],” argues Dr. Howard Shapiro, DPM. So maybe it’s all those Ugg knockoffs, with their faux-fur lining, that are helping foot fungus flourish.
Whether you choose to wear authentic UGG Australia boots, their knockoffs, or neither, there are easy ways to keep foot fungus at bay: keep your feet clean and dry, wear moisture-wicking socks, and avoid wearing the same shoes every day.
If you already find yourself with signs of a fungal infection, like yellow nails, oral and topical antibiotics can help clear up the problem.
Are you an Ugg fan? Are you thinking twice about pulling them on again? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
