Harmful Effects of Flip-Flops

Flip-flops, also known as thongs or jandals, are a type of sandal commonly worn in warm climates, especially in casual situations. They are distinguished by a small thong between a wearer's toes that secure the foot to the sole. Many find them convenient because they require very little effort to put on and take off, as well as comfortable because they keep feet cooler than do ordinary shoes and socks. But there are a few common and serious health problems that have recently been identified as being a result of wearing flip-flops that are worth considering.

Pain and Fatigue

• Because flip-flops have no heel, they ordinarily require toe scrunching by the wearer to keep them from falling off while walking. The toe scrunching causes tension in the plantar fascia tissue, which connects the heel to the toe, so that it stretches needlessly. Over time, this tension can lead to inflammation, pain and consistently tired feet.

Ankle, Knee and Hip Problems

• Since a full-length step can accidentally kick off flip-flips, those who wear them tend to alter their gait and take shorter, heavier strides than those who wear shoes or walk barefoot. While this solves the problem of keeping the flip-flops from falling off, an altered gait is not healthy for joints over a long period of time. In particular, ankles, knees and hips are susceptible to the long-term issues associated with heavy-stepping.

Bacterial Infections

• Flip-flops can collect a great deal of bacteria and germs in a short period of time, making them extremely unsanitary. Many of these are harmless, but some can be harmful or even deadly. For example, flip-flops can pick up aerococcus viridans and rothia mucilaginosa, two harmful bacteria that ordinarily reside in the mouth. However, the biggest threat to flip-flop wearers is staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that can cause skin boils through mere contact and can even be life-threatening if it enters the bloodstream and is left untreated.