Socks are usually knitted
from cotton,
viscose rayon, wool,
or polypropylene,
and less commonly from nylon or silk. Besides giving relaxation socks have
wicking, moisture absorption properties. The average foot has 250,000
sweat glands, and the average pair gives off about half a pint (almost 250 mL)
of perspiration per day. Socks help to absorb this sweat and draw it to areas
where air can wick the perspiration away. In cold environments, socks help to
remove the moisture given off by one's feet, decreasing the risk of frostbite.
Foot odour often results from wearing shoes
and/or socks,
especially shoes or socks with inadequate air ventilation, for many hours.
Since human feet are densely covered with sweat glands (and men have larger
feet and sweat more), excessive perspiration of the feet is the result.
This perspiration and warmth provide ideal conditions for bacteria and/or fungi to thrive. The presence of the
bacteria and/or fungi does not in and of itself cause odour; instead, as the
bacteria consume dead skin cells and moisture, they in turn produce waste
material. This waste material is the cause of foot odour. As physical activity
increases, foot perspiration, bacterial growth, and bacterial waste production
all increase, causing odour to intensify.Therefore, socks should also have antimicrobial
properties. To impart antimicrobial properties, various antimicrobial agents are
generally used in textiles.
Negative air ions are known to
have therapeutic properties. "Negative ions increase the flow of oxygen to
the brain; resulting in higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and more mental
energy," says Pierce J. Howard, PhD, author of The Owners Manual for the
Brain .Therefore, socks if it is made from negative ion generating materials may
provide antimicrobial property as well as therapeutic action. Tourmaline, a
naturally occurring mineral, is known for generating negative air ions and also
for its antimicrobial activity.
