10 reasons to get rid of your flip-flops right now, for the sake of your health

When temperatures rise, the clothes we wear decrease and we start wearing flip flops, sandals and all kinds of open shoes. But this is not the best idea. Scientific studies carried out by the American Podiatry Medical Association show that, because of fungi, calluses and the “tweezers” shape of the foot, long-term use of flip-flops can be harmful.

At the awesome.club, We care about your health and for that reason, we’ve listed a number of reasons why you shouldn’t pack your flip-flops on your next vacation.

Walking around in flip-flops makes your feet a veritable receptacle for bacteria. Staphylococcus is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous (in the most serious cases, especially in the presence of open wounds, it can even cause the amputation of a limb), but it is also important to pay attention to fungal infections, in warts and in the “ athlete’s foot”, highly contagious and painful.

A survey conducted by the University of Auburn made a comparative analysis of the way of walking of those who wear flip flops and sneakers. In a sample of 56 individuals, it was proven that footwear significantly influences the way a person walks. Flip-flops lead to a shorter stride and smaller support space compared to sneakers.

When wearing flip-flops, you must make sure that your feet are in contact with the ground and that they adhere well to the footwear. When using them, you also need to bend your knees and ankles more, which will eventually lead to a skewed walk and a greater risk of tripping and falling.

The side straps are the only point of attachment of the foot to the slipper. And the fact that they rub against the skin with every step means they will end up irritating it, causing painful blisters, which can eventually turn into open sores, exposing the foot to possible bacterial infections.

When wearing flip-flops, the foot is forced to adopt a “clamp” position, so as not to lose support. In the long run, this unnatural position causes the finger joints to bend, causing so-called “hammer toes”.

Squeezing your fingers to keep the slippers on your feet can cause calluses, especially those formed between your big toe and second toe where the strap is, making wearing them even more painful.

Any footwear that completely lacks a heel prevents the correct support of the foot, alters the proper distribution of the body’s weight and prevents good blood circulation, in addition to impairing posture, especially with prolonged use.

The altered posture that occurs when wearing flip-flops imposes a greater load on the joints and legs. The joints must make a greater effort to compensate for the imbalance, thus exposing the foot to a series of problems, which can range from simple pain to more severe tendinitis and bunions.

The side straps that secure the slipper are often made of latex, a material that many people are allergic to, or may contain BPA (bisphenol A), a substance thought to cause some types of cancer. In this case, it is better to opt for cloth or leather models.

Do you recognize any problems with your feet, related to this data? Or will you continue to wear your favorite flip-flops every summer? Let us know what you think in the comments below!