Not only is smelling socks unhygienic, it can also be a serious threat to one's health like that of a Chinese man who ended up in the hospital after contracting a lung infection.

The man, only identified by his family name Peng and is a resident of Zhangzhou City in Fujian province, China, would come home from his job every day, change from his work clothes, and sniff his freshly used socks. This may be disgusting for some, but for the patient, it became a habit.

A Habit Of Sniffing Used Socks

A week prior to his hospitalization, he was already complaining of cough and chest pains and got medical care. Things got worse, and the man was admitted to the hospital in Zhangzhou, where his X-ray showed he got a lung infection.

Doctors confirmed that this was because of his bizarre habit of inhaling the odor directly from his sweaty socks. Mai Zhuanying, a specialist at the hospital, explained that the infection was a result of a combination of a weak immune system, which stemmed from his late-night work coupled with lack of rest because he was taking care of his child, and his nasty routine.

The expert further explained that it was common for fungal spores to thrive in socks and shoes of people who have athlete's foot, an infection which usually starts in between toes. However, she did not elaborate whether the Chinese man had the condition. As of now, the man remains recuperating.

Fungal Infections In Lungs Are Uncommon

"Fungal infections of the lung are less common than bacterial and viral infections but pose significant problems in diagnosis and treatment," the American Thoracic Society said in a book.

Meanwhile, the news had ignited a barrage of comments from guilty people who had the same habit of sniffing their smelly socks. Most of them expressed worry that they may end up taking a trip to the hospital as well, while others explained that they were only doing that to assess whether it can still be worn the next day.