Hi all,

I recently read a post about someone not being able to remove shoes due to a medical condition, realized I'm flying soon, and decided to ask for input on here. Please, can we stay away from the usual hating-on-TSOs and cracking jokes in this one? Just want some input, especially from TSOs if they have any to offer.

Basically, I have a temporary foot condition that involves some itching/pain on some toes that may be caused by a form of fungus or whatever else shows up as less-than-savory on a microscope. It does hurt more with changes in temperature but no longer hurts when I put on socks/shoes so this post does not have to do with my own comfort or safety. Given that it hasn't been 100% identified/diagnosed and I'm no MD, I am concerned that when I take off my shoes and walk around my socks for security, I may create a situation in which other people could catch whatever I have if they walk on the same carpet after. It makes me think of how when you wear bowling shoes, they're supposed to spray them inbetween. Anyway, I'm not sure how this is transmitted, but I don't want anyone to get sick from the carpet. I guess I could say I can't remove my shoes and submit to a secondary, but the last time I was randomly selected for a secondary, while I was getting patted down, my items were still on the belt and another passenger jostled my laptop. I don't want to risk anything happening to my belongings. But I also don't want to give anyone the nasty toe thing.

So. Anyone have any idea how nasty toe stuff is spread? Would it likely be safe enough to temporarily just wear a few pairs of socks or would this draw attention? And do TSOs ever touch shoes out of sight? Because if so I definitely would want to let them know to change gloves after.

At least I know to delcare my anti-nastiness cream as a separate liquid item.