FLIP-FLOPS are a holiday staple – they’re easy to slip on, keep your feet cool and can be picked up for pretty cheap.
But they actually pose several health risks, a podiatrist has warned.
GettyFlip-flops are the worst kind of summer shoe, a podiatrist has warned[/caption]
Tiktok – @paulthepodiatristPaul said they offer no support or stability and can put you at risk of health problems[/caption]
Paul, who goes by @paulthepodiatrist on TikTok, said the dangers are potentially so serious he would never wear them.
The foot expert, who is British and based at My FootDr in Singapore, said: “There’s a lot of discussion about thong-style flip-flops, or slippers.
“Lots of people love them, some people hate them, but I personally wouldn’t wear them.”
He gave four simple reasons why – then explained what he would choose instead.
No support
First and foremost, flip-flops are pretty flimsy, Paul said.
This puts you at increased risk of knee, hip or back trouble, as well as worsening plantar fasciitis – inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of the foot.
Often, the cheaper the shoe, the worse this will be.
Paul said: “Some brands like Havaianas can be very flat and very thin so they don’t offer the feet much support.
“I prefer to see a flip-flop with a bit of a heel cup, and also arch support.”
No security
The summer essential also offers “no security”, according to the podiatrist.
“Your foot likely wants to have to grip onto it,” he said.
“With some people, you wear them for prolonged periods of time over many years, and your toes can start to stiffen and claw up, and then that can be hard to reverse.”
Claw toe, similar to hammer toe, is a foot deformity often caused by wearing shoes that squeeze your toes or ones that offer little support.
Usually, your toes are bent upward or downward, sometimes curling under, which can be incredibly painful.
Corns and calluses can form due to the pressure.
To prevent this problem, while sticking to a flip-flop style, Paul suggests trying a pair with an added strap around the heel.
“This will give more stability to the ankle and hold the foot in place,” he said.
“Or, you could even choose the style which has a strap coming over the front, which holds the foot down.”
No protection
Flip-flops are open – that’s kind of the beauty of them – but this can make your feet look less than pretty.
Cuts, splinters and other injuries are more common with this type of shoe, experts say.
Your feet can also “really dry out” when exposed to the elements, Paul said.
“The dryness can open to cracks, and those cracks can turn to wounds,” he added.
“For diabetics, that is high risk.”
No safety
If all of that wasn’t enough, your general safety is also at risk in a pair of flip-flops.
“When you’re walking down the street, it’s very easy to trip and fall when you’re wearing them,” Paul said.
So if you can’t wear flip-flops, what can you wear?
The foot expert reckons you should try a sandal with a strap across the top of the foot that comes with arch support.
“I find that I don’t grip my toes as much when wearing them,” he said.
When it comes to which brand, there are several, but he likes Archies.
“It is fantastic because they offer arch support which takes the stress off your plantar fascia, your post tip tendon, and your Achilles tendon as well,” he said.
Holding up an Archies’ flip-flop, Paul added: “We can see the arch support built in, and also support [at the back] which can push on the medial side of your foot and maybe resupinate the foot a bit.
“Yes, arch support slippers are better than flat slippers.”
Tiktok – @paulthepodiatristFlip-flops can reportedly cause a foot deformity called claw toe[/caption]
Tiktok – @paulthepodiatristThe summer shoes are also a potential problem for people with diabetes[/caption] Read More