Flimsy footwear like slippers, flip-flops, and sandals do not provide adequate support or benefit for the foot or ankle area, which is why they aren’t the ideal shoe for daily wear. They may be suitable for short stints in warm weather or beach trips, but the risks to the health of your feet are immense.
These types of open-toed footwear may expose your feet to bacterial and fungal infections, blisters, heel pain, and complications in your posture. You may also risk straining or spraining the muscles and tendons in your feet. To further understand the risks that flip-flops and sandals pose, here are some of the dangers of wearing flimsy footwear on a daily basis.
Exposure to Bacteria and Infections
Flip-flops can be the perfect breeding ground for fungi and bacteria, exposing your feet to infection. It’s always best to be aware of what comes in contact with your feet; after all, your feet have to support the rest of you.
Pseudomonas is a type of bacteria that is attracted to water; you may become exposed to it anywhere in or around pools and bodies of water. Staph is a type of bacteria that can dwell on the material of flip-flops and sandals and can cause serious skin infections. Rubber and plastic flip-flops are bacteria magnets. What’s more concerning is that if your footwear causes blisters, bacteria can more easily sneak in and make matters worse.
Heel Pain
Flip-flops can cause immense pain and can put you at risk of plantar fasciitis, which is when the tissue that runs from the toes to the heel bone at the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed. This is caused by a lack of adequate arch support as is common in flip-flops and other casual footwear.
Posture Complications
Since your feet are the basis for how your ankles, knees, hips and back align, foot infections or other problems can compromise your alignment and posture.
Blisters
Because there is only a thin rubber strap holding your shoe and your foot together, the continuous movement and rubbing can cause irritation and blisters.
How to Avoid the Risks of Flimsy Footwear
- Replace cheap flip-flops regularly.
- Choose better footwear; if it has to be open-toed, pick ones with multiple straps.
- Do not forget to put sunscreen on your feet where the skin is exposed.
- Make an appointment with your podiatrist; it may be time to get your feet checked.
Foot Doctors in Cincinnati, Ohio
It’s best to get your feet checked periodically – before problems develop. Most people forget to care for their feet at all, so problems are left unchecked. Do not ignore the health of your feet. The physicians at Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care provide high-quality podiatric care tailored to every patient. We offer convenient, same-day office hours, and evening appointments in almost all locations. We look forward to making your feet the healthiest and hardiest they’ve ever been. Schedule an appointment today with the foot and ankle doctors at Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care.
