Flip-flops and summer go together like peanut butter and jelly. They are perfect matches, and it is almost impossible to find one without the other. Flip-flops are a natural alternative to socks and sneakers that get heavy, sweaty, and downright uncomfortable under the Syracuse sun. In addition, flip-flops are rather inexpensive and come in a variety of different colors and patterns—what’s not to love about them?

Well, that’s where foot doctors come in. Ever so concerned about the health of your feet and ankles, most podiatrists want you to be careful about overusing flip-flops. Although they provide slightly more support than no footwear at all, they fail to uphold the natural arches and curves in your feet. Here are 3 more reasons why flip-flops are not all what they are cracked up to be:

1. Your feet are exposed: Without a full shoe around them, your feet are exposed to the environment. They may be more susceptible to insect bites, sunburn, scrapes and bruises, which could spell trouble for diabetics who have a harder time healing injuries.
2. You begin to depend on them: Once you get in the habit of wearing flip-flops, it is hard to break. But wearing them regularly could lead to heel pain, plantar fasciitis, and flat feet from the lack of support.
3. Your toes become overworked: Because there is no heel support with flip-flops, your toes have to grip a little harder to ensure that your feet do not slip out. Constantly bending your toes can lead to spasms or even hammertoes.

Choosing the right footwear is not a task that should be taken lightly. In fact, it can be the difference between a summer of discomfort and a summer of freedom from pain. Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico knows that wearing flip-flops is a natural part of summer, but also wants you to remain as healthy as possible. If you are suffering from ailments such as sports injuries, bunions and more, a visit to Syracuse Podiatry might be necessary. Contact us or call our Fayetteville office in Central New York at (315) 446-3668 to schedule an appointment or ask any questions!