Silver Socks and Silver-Lined Shoes

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 15, 2009 – We have Dorothy’s ruby slipper, Cinderella’s glass slipper, Michael Johnson’s gold shoes but what about shoes of silver?  Believe it or not, “silver” shoes are widely available today even without a good witch or fairy godmother.  Silver, it turns out, is a remarkably successful anti-bacterial agent.  The silver ions are able to enter bacteria cells and bond with the bacteria’s DNA chains.  This bonding process prevents the bacteria cells from reproducing.
Shoe and sock companies use a fiber called X-static® - a 99 percent silver yarn, which is bonded to other fibers in the sock.  These other fibers can be anything – cotton, spandex, high-tech GORE-TEX material – that you would usually find in a sock or the lining of a shoe.  The materials are so well bonded that you can wash silver socks without worrying whether any of the silver agent is washing out.  
Silver socks or silver-lined shoes are especially helpful for people with diabetes. Due to poor circulation and neuropathy, diabetics are particularly vulnerable when it comes to developing foot ulcers and serious infections on their feet.  By wearing silver socks, the silver “detects” the infection before you do – even before visible signs of the infection such as pus, redness or swelling have developed.  Working on the microbial level, silver eliminates bacteria in the early phases of infection.  In addition to diabetics, people with foot deformities such as hammertoe or bunions – and who are also more likely to develop foot ulcers - may want to invest in pair of silver socks or silver-lined shoes.  
On a less serious front, people who deal with foot odor may find silver-lined shoes or silver socks helpful when it comes to eliminating their problem.  Foot odor is caused by bacteria.  Fewer bacteria mean less noticeable foot odor.  Of course, most people with foot odor attract bacteria because their feet are abnormally sweaty.  If you are investing in a pair of silver socks or silver-lined shoes, make sure that they are also designed from a breathable material that will wick moisture away from the foot.  Not only with this keep your feet cool, dry and happy, it will also prevent fungal infections such as Athlete’s foot or Fungal Toenail infections from forming.  
There are a variety of orthopedic shoe brands that have jumped on the silver bandwagon.  Acor and PW Minor, for example, both produce silver-lined street shoes.  A company in the UK called Silver Sox produces a line of – you guessed it – silver socks, which you can order online.  There are many other options out there.  Most companies will advertise the silver fiber X-Static® in their description of the shoe.