The warmer days are starting to become more and more dominant and that means a lot of fun beach weekends to enjoy. It may be tempting to grab your flip-flops and run out the door, but, before you hit the road, consider swapping out those kicks. Flip-flops are a convenient type of footwear that are widely worn all over the United States. They are especially great for hot days to help prevent sweaty feet. Need to kick off your shoes and run into the ocean in a flash? Flip-flops also seem to be the best answer in this scenario. What many people don’t know is that flip-flops can cause permanent damage to the feet if they are worn regularly. Here is why:
- Flip-flops offer no support for your feet. Their naturally-flat shape provides no arch support whatsoever. This means that the full shock of your weight when walking is impacting your arch and slowly damaging it over time.
- Flip-flops aren’t very thick. Most of these sandals are less than an inch thick. This means they have little shock support and that they are also easy to pierce. If you step on a nail or other object, it is very likely that it can make its way through your sandal and into your foot. This wound can inflict infection or damage muscles.
- There is not a lot of grip. These sandals do not tend to have a lot of grip, which means that if you are hurrying along a tile, wood, or other slick surface, there is a good chance that you will come tumbling down.
- Most people buy too large or too small. Flip-flops that are too big can become a tripping hazard. Your ankle will suffer dearly from a sprain or break from a fall. Shoes that are too small can cause pressure in between the toes where the throng is. This rubbing and pressure can cause blisters, corns and calluses.
- Your feet are also exposed to the harsh rays of the sun. Most people forget to apply sunblock to their feet. When wearing open sandals without sunblock, you are putting your feet at risk for a sunburn which could lead to skin melanoma later on.
What can I wear instead?
There are many great supportive sandal options available for the summer. Many of them come with convenient adjustable straps that help you get the perfect fit. These sandals also have a lot of support and tread so that you aren’t taking a tumble and injuring yourself unnecessarily. Think they aren’t the best looking? Keep searching – great-fitting sandals that are also fashionable can be found with a little extra diligence and patience.
If you are injured while wearing flip-flops, be sure to call a podiatrist immediately. The injury can be exacerbated over time. Call Dr. Andrew H. Cohen, of Mid-Michigan Foot & Ankle Center, located in Saginaw and Bay City, Michigan. You can reach our office at 989-790-8009 or make an appointment online today. Don’t let flip-flops slow you down.