SNIFFING dirty socks is undoubtedly gross, but it can also be a health hazard.
A Chinese man ended up in hospital with a severe fungal lung infection - and it was traced back to his bizarre habit of frequently smelling his socks after wearing them for long periods of time.
The unnamed man, described as an 'ordinary office worker' from Chongqing in southwestern China, took himself to hospital after developing a severe cough.
Doctors discovered the patient had aspergillosis, a type of lung disease caused by aspergillus - a strain of mould that thrives in damp locations.
After the man admitted to his unusual habit, medics tested his socks and found they contained the same strain of mould that had infected their patient.
Luo Hu from the Southwest Hospital of the Army Medical University told local media that socks provide the optimal breeding ground for the fungus.
"Wearing shoes for a long time forms a closed, humid, and warm space, which is easy to breed fungi," he said.
"If you smell or absorb fungus-filled socks, the fungi may enter the lower respiratory tract through the mouth and nose.
"If the body's immune function is low, it may cause diseases such as fungal pneumonia."
Thankfully the patient recovered after a round of anti-fungal medications.
Let's hope he has since quit his stinky habit in favour of something less...noxious.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 14 Apr 25
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 14 Apr 25
