People in Houston and Sugar Land tend to sacrifice aesthetics for functionality when it comes to their summer clothing. After all, who wants to dress to impress when the sun is beating down on you? For the purposes of avoiding this heat, people tend to look for clothes and shoes that let their skin breathe. Flip-flops have long been a preferred summer shoe because it fits the bill perfectly. Unfortunately, flip-flops can cause significant health problems.
Studying the Flip-Flop
Dr. Jackie Sutera and Dr. Cary Zinklin, podiatrists from New York City and Florida respectively, decided to study the way flip-flops affected those who wore them on a regular basis. As Dr. Sutera told the Huffington Post, the feet are vitally important when it comes to giving the skeleton a good base. People neglect their feet to their own detriment. When bad things happen to the feet, higher portions of the skeleton must compensate for the injury.
In their study, Sutera and Zinklin discovered a number of ways in which wearing flip-flops can prove hazardous to your health. It may come as no shock to most that the lack of protection they offer was chief among these hazards. After all, what is a flip-flop going to do if you drop a heavy book on your foot? What protection will it offer if you accidentally kick a curb? Shoes provide a certain level of protection from the many hidden dangers of the world, and flip-flops simply leave your feet out there to bear the brunt of any trauma.
Bacteria
Of course, Sutera and Zinklin are not the first to study the harms of wearing flip-flops. In 2009, the New York Daily News had scientists examine a pair of flip-flops their reporters wore for a few days throughout the city. The results were unsettling. In just four days, the flip-flops had accumulated more than 18,000 bacteria. Bacteria are common in the world, but some of these bacteria tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus, a germ that can easily lead to infection and death. Without the protection of a shoe, your feet could be susceptible to harmful accumulated bacteria.
Odds and Ends
The dangers of wearing flip-flops do not stop at dropped objects and bacteria. Lack of material between your feet and the rubber straps and soles can lead to an increased probability of getting a bunion or blisters. Constant gripping of the thin strap that hold the flip-flop on your feet can, in some cases, lead to tendonitis and chronic foot pain. Without the support that comes with better shoes, flip-flop enthusiasts may experience damage to their arches. If those arches fall, it could cause the feet to flatten. This can lead to back and leg pain, easily-fatigued feet, and decreased mobility.
Picking a Better Flip-Flop
Though the health dangers associated with wearing flip-flops are many, do not feel as though you have to give up this convenient footwear altogether. Even podiatrists highly critical of flip-flops say they are appropriate for short-term wear at the beach or by the pool. If you want to get more use out of your flip-flops, consider looking for a better pair. By finding ones that fit right and have a thicker arch, you will give your foot more support. Higher quality flip-flops will last longer and reduce the number of blisters you experience. Replace your flip-flops annually to keep them from wearing out too substantially.
If you decide to stick with your flip-flops in spite of the warnings, talk to your podiatrist about any foot problems you may be experiencing. If you can catch foot problems early, you may stand a better chance of finding a remedy before it’s too late.
