We should not have to worry about the risks of taking a shower at the gym, a hotel or spa, or going camping with the family and using the communal showers. Although floors in public and communal showers are usually cleaned with strong detergents to help eliminate germs, the fact of the matter is...the floor is only as clean as the last person who used it. Water isn't the only thing that's swirling down the drain. Sweat and skin cells are also in the mix. Along with all of that are various strains of mold, algae, and fungi that either grow in moist environments or are carried there on people's bare feet. You can also assume that outdoor contaminants are making their way onto the public shower floors. Cut or cracked skin on your feet enhances the chances of pathogens, causing various infections. Many people wear flip flops to a public or communal shower, which is not a solution - they can actually cause more problems. The flip flops are used over and over, which means that they are constantly getting wet, often not getting the chance to dry completely. This moist environment is another breeding ground for fungus and other germs that act as a risk to the health of your feet.