That tells me one of two things:
a) You've got some infection on your foot.
b) You're weird and think it's appropriate to wear socks and look strange.
Whichever one is true I like you a little less because of it.
I haven't trained in years, but recently started to teach my young son a few things.
I absolutely HATE wearing socks, it is dangerous, and it looks stupid,
but I always did wear socks when training, out of courtesy and also to save from the embarrassment.
You see, I have no fungus or infection on my feet, but my feet usually look just like or worse than an infection or fungus does. I had been to countless doctors growing up to find out what was going on. I recall being 9 years old and having a room full of doctors analyzing my feet and hands scratching their heads with no answer. There was no fungus, no infection, absolutely nothing that can harm anyone else coming in contact with me. I literally had no answer for most of my life, and time when I did Jiu Jitsu.
Jiu Jitsu wasn't something that I just wanted to quit, it had helped me become a confident person and I loved it. I didn't want to make people uncomfortable, so I always wore ankle socks. In my last group class that I was participating in for awhile, where I'd become friends with the instructor after assisting with his computer issues. I was asked to be in some videos that would be posted on the website demonstrating the techniques. Sounded fun, so when we go to film the moves I was told to take off my socks which I did hesitantly but finally did because on that particular day it was very mild. Apparently it did not go unnoticed and immediately there was a lecture about hygiene and then the mats were all cleaned before class continuing. I was so embarrassed that I never returned.
Awhile after, I found a dermatologist who was supposedly one of the most experienced in the field. He took one look at my feet and pulled up a website showing me exactly what it was that I had. He described it as 'Hyper Plantar & Palmar Keratoderma'. Plantar meaning the bottoms of your feet, and Palmar meaning the palms of your hand. *warning* don't go looking up images if you plan to eat anytime soon. Anyway, I haven't seen images of it in awhile, but I recall only 1 image online being anywhere near what happens to me.
There is no cure no cure for this. The doctor who diagnosed it was actually incredibly rude when I was questioning him about it cures. I was scolded
"There is no cure!, you were born with this, and you're going to die with this. They will cure cancer before they cure this." (exact words of the doctor).
For me, the suggested "Treatments" only accelerate the process and seem to make things worse and more painful. It not only looks terrible, it feels very uncomfortable, and socks amplify the feeling.
So, to the poster... a) I don't have an infection, and b) I hate the way socks look, I think it looks infinitely cooler in a jiu jitsu gi to have no socks on, and I'm pretty damn jealous of it. Not only for the look, but it feels way better to not wear socks.
I found this post because I was searching Google for options for grappling "footwear". Just to wear when teaching my boy and possibly a few other family members. I have always thought about getting back into training a little, and possibly joining a gym but I can never get myself to do it.
Any thoughts on this? Does anyone know anyone with this issue? Anyone know any quality footwear made for grappling? with some grip on the bottom preferably?
Poster, if you were in my position would you just let everyone else deal with it and wear no socks? or would you just quit jiu jitsu entirely?