Niamh Shackleton
As the colder months begin to set in, more of us are likely to start wrapping up in bed - socks and all.
Wearing socks in bed has long been a topic of debate. While some think it's impossible to sleep without fluffy socks in the winter, others find the idea uncomfortable.
If you're one of the folks who likes super toasty feet in bed, then you're going to want to read on.
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If the washing basket it full and you're running low on socks, you might be tempted to wear the same ones in the day and then to bed, but experts are strongly urging that you don't.
A study by Mattress Next Day looked into the bacteria found on worn socks and discovered presence of a bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa - something cockroaches and their bacteria spread. Ew.
The company polled 1,000 people and 18 percent admitted to wearing socks in bed, with only 30 percent saying they put on a fresh pair at night, House Beautiful reports.
The matter was discussed on the Calm Down With Erin and Charissa podcast, and it's safe to say that they were pretty grossed out by the news.
They labeled the findings as 'disgusting' and questioned why people wear socks in bed in the first place.
Their response then sparked a debate as some people were in favor of sock-wearing in bed, while others weren't.
Someone asked: "I'm shocked this many people are clueless to life in winter in a cold climate. Who DOESN'T wear socks to bed in winter in northern lattitudes?"
In contrast, another person penned: "Wearing socks to bed seems like the most uncomfortable thing imaginable."
Echoing similar sentiments, a different person said: "Who the hell wears socks to bed???"
While wearing dirty socks to bed is advised against by experts, clean (ish) socks aren't actually an issue.
"Wearing socks around the house and then getting into bed is generally not a health concern," Anna Chacon, MD, a Miami-based board-certified dermatologist told House Beautiful.
"It can provide comfort and warmth. However, if your socks are dirty or sweaty, it's a good practice to change into clean ones before getting into bed to maintain good hygiene."
But be warned; even if your socks haven't actually touched the ground and you've been wearing shoes all day, Carlie Gasia, a certified wellness coach at Sleep Advisor, said that 'your socks can still accumulate dirt and bacteria' in your shoes - especially if you get sweaty feet.
Gross.