Hannah Jones, a 25-year-old dental nurse from Abergele, Conwy, was hospitalised after wearing a pair of white and beige slip-on sandals from TK Maxx that she believes were previously tried on by other customers. The sandals, purchased for £14 on June 26, caused blisters that led to a severe bacterial infection known as cellulitis, which could have progressed to sepsis if left untreated.
Sequence of Events
Jones wore the sandals for approximately 10 hours on June 27 while out with friends. Upon returning home, she noticed blisters on her feet. She applied a plaster and went to work on Monday, but her feet became increasingly swollen and painful. By the end of the day, she was limping and felt unwell.
Her mother drew circles around the blisters to monitor the swelling, which grew to twice the normal size. Jones woke up at 1 a.m. in severe pain and collapsed when trying to stand. She was rushed to Glan Clwyd Hospital, where doctors diagnosed cellulitis and treated her with intravenous antibiotics. She was discharged after 18 hours and advised to rest with her feet elevated.
Medical Details and Risks
Doctors informed Jones that the infection could have developed into sepsis within two days if not treated. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the body's response to infection. Jones is now on antibiotics and co-codamol for pain, but she reports that her feet are still throbbing and feel like they are going to explode.
According to the NHS, cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can cause redness, swelling, and pain. It requires prompt treatment with antibiotics to prevent complications such as sepsis.
Attribution and Quotes
Hannah Jones stated: "If I had thought to myself that I am being dramatic, they are only blisters, I could have ended up with sepsis. It could have threatened my life. You wouldn't think this would come from a pair of sandals." She added: "A lot of people probably tried them on so in the future I would buy shoes that are in a box. It makes sense if multiple people have tried them on with no socks on."
Prevention Advice
Jones has thrown the sandals in the bin and urges others to wear socks when trying on shoes and to wash new footwear before wearing. She said: "Wear a pair of socks when you try them on. You don't think to wash a pair of shoes when you buy them. In future I'll wash them and if they feel a little bit uncomfortable, I will be taking them straight off. If you think you are being dramatic, you are not being dramatic. Trust your gut."
TK Maxx has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded.
