Being in the armed services brings a whole gamut of risk of exposure , withfoot odorbeing one of the more common afflictions experience by those in the forces . In an attempt to stamp out the pong emanating from cadets ’ feet , the Royal Thai Airforce has been issuing socks coated in atomic number 30 oxide nanoparticles , and the results have been refreshingly pleasant .
The as yet unpublished inquiry was presented at theEuropean Academy of Dermatology and Venereology ( EADV ) Congress , which was held online from October 29 to 31 , 2020 . The study authors explained how almost 40 percentage of Thai naval plebe train foot lesions , with a bacterial transmission calledpitted keratolysisbeing among the most prevalent .
make by bacteria that erode the keratin on the sole of the foot , pitted keratolysis is characterized by the appearance of small gage - marks and a distinctivecheesy smell . Given that atomic number 30 oxide nanoparticles have already been demonstrated to have antibacterial properties , the researchers decided to test their efficaciousness at do by this foetid stipulation .
A total of 148 naval plebe were assigned to atwo - weektraining track , one-half of whom were supplied with nanoparticle - embrace wind sock for the duration of the practice session . pes odor levels were evaluated at the commencement and goal of the trial , with results showing a decrease in bite among those with plow socks by the end of the track . In contrast , cadets that were not cater with the special footgear realise no such variety in their animal foot fragrance .
To insure the robustness of this determination , cadets were instructed to wear their ascribe air-sleeve for a lower limit of eight minute a twenty-four hours throughout the two - week study period and were explicitly instructed not to use any type of deodorant on their feet .
More importantly , only 15.7 percent of the cadet that jade the nanoparticle - infused air-sleeve went on to modernize stone keratolysis during the exercise , equate to 40.5 percentage of those that wore regular socks .
Explaining the motivation behind this slightly malodourous study , lead generator Dr Punyawee Ongsri revealed in astatementthat " While complete an internship as a naval officer in the aesculapian section , I fancy a high number of pes infection in military force . I wanted to find a fashion to prevent and handle these fungal and bacterial infections and those shape associated . "
" These socks could supply a new basal bar pick for both military personnel office and those susceptible to these awkward and unpleasant conditions . We are continuing our research with other textiles and hope to treat and prevent the growth of bacterial and fungal contagion . "
