Are Slippers Bad for Your Feet?
People enjoy slipping their feet into cozy slippers before pacing the house during the winter months. Although wearing slippers or going barefoot is convenient and easy, these footwear habits have increased the number of individuals seeking podiatric care for foot pain. Due to the rigidity of hardwood and tile flooring, additional foot issues can set in. People who wear slippers too often or long term can develop foot abnormalities, including bunions and hammer toes.
In light of the above, educating yourself about the dangers and issues related to slippers with bad design is critical. It will be simpler and healthier to find a pair that can take care of your feet.
Drawbacks of Slippers:
- Slips and falls
A major issue with indoor footwear is that they offer less traction than outdoor shoes. You run a higher chance of slipping, falling and hurting yourself if you wear slippers.
- Unsanitary
Slippers are designed to keep your feet warm, but if they are made of cheap, synthetic fabric, they can make your feet sweat excessively. This serves as a haven for bacteria and fungi to flourish, resulting in an unsanitary environment for your feet. Infections like the athlete’s foot may also develop.
- Foot odor
Slippers that are warm and moist aggravate foot odor. You can prevent those foot issues by wearing slippers that have breathable fabrics, like suede or wool.
- Design flaws
If you’re wearing footwear modeled after something, it won’t match the real structure of your feet. Slippers are frequently big, hefty, and heavy. This kind of footwear can make it difficult to walk and make climbing stairs dangerous. It’s safer to wear slippers that don’t bulk up your feet, so think twice about choosing slippers.
- Arch support
Slippers frequently have a design problem such that they don’t give your arches enough support. Your feet won’t be able to absorb much shock when you walk in such slippers, which could cause soreness in your lower limbs.
- Pressure on your feet
With flip-flops, your toes may want to hold onto your slippers with claw-like grips resulting in stiffness, weariness, and toe abnormalities.
Foot issues caused by improperly made footwear can be diagnosed and treated by podiatrists. For instance, getting rid of an athlete’s foot, heel pain and discomfort, and other foot issues can be addressed by a podiatrist. Additionally, they can recommend the best shoes for your needs and orthotics to fix irregularities in your gait. Consult your podiatrist today to keep your feet warm, safe and hygienic.
The foot experts at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists in the Tucson, Oro Valley, and Green Valley areas of Pima County, Arizona, have unparalleled experience treating all aspects of foot and ankle care. Our team of doctors: Christopher M. Funk, D.P.M., FACFAS, Bradley A. Whitaker, D.P.M., FACFAS, Peter C. Merrill, D.P.M., AACFAS, and Zeno Pfau, D.P.M., is dedicated to serving you with state-of-the-art, cutting edge medical technologies, including the PinPointe FootLaser, custom-fitted orthotics, and Radial Pulse Therapy (RPT) for chronic foot, heel, or ankle pain. If you have any questions or want to make an appointment, please call (520) 575-0800.
