Monsoon foot care tips: How to avoid a flip-flop fiasco!

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Monsoon is here and it is the time of water, mud, bacteria, fungus. The season causes many problems, including, like fungal infections in our feet which is a real problematic. Besides eating right to take care of our overall health and prevent ourselves from falling ill, we need to take care of our feet clean and dry, which are the most vital part of the human body.

And, with the start of rainy season, more people will be trading their regular shoes for chappals, flip-flops and sandals. But, one should also keep in mind that inadequate support to the foot over prolonged periods leads to strain in the arch ligaments.

The lack of support in the flip-flop also causes your feet and legs to overcompensate. These flip-flops can also wreak havoc on your knees, hips and back. The flip-flop provides minimal or no support in the arch or heel, leading to an unstable gait, causing bad alignment, straining in your knees and lower back.

Dr Pradeep Moonot, Foot and Ankle Specialist Surgeon, SL Raheja, A Fortis associate, shares some brilliant tips on foot care and choosing the right pair that give your feet support for better walking comfort. He recommends choosing a sandal with a supportive, yet lightweight outer sole that provides shock absorption, and stay away from ‘floppy brands’.

• Do shop for a flip-flop made of high-quality, soft leather. Leather minimizes the potential for blisters and other types of irritation. Flip-flops with rubber straps can be easier on the feet but those with leather or cloth straps can be fitted to be more snug and easier to walk in
• Do ensure that your foot doesn't hang off of the edge of the flip-flop. When standing in them you should be able to see about a 1/2 an inch of a sole all around your foot
• Do gently bend the flip-flop from end to end, ensuring it bends at the ball of the foot. Shoes of any kind should never fold in half
• Don't re-wear flip-flops year after year. Inspect older pairs for wear, if they show signs of severe wear, discard them
• Don't ignore irritation between toes, where the toe thong fits. This can lead to blisters and possible infections

• Don't wear flip-flops while walking long distances. Even the sturdiest flip-flops offer little in terms of shock absorption and arch support
• Don't play sports in flip-flops, this practice can lead to twisting of the foot or ankle, as well as sprains and breaks
• Do wear a sturdy pair of flip-flops when walking around a public pool, at the beach, in hotel rooms and in locker room areas. Walking barefoot can expose foot soles to plantar warts and athlete's foot
• Do look for a layered sole that is approximately 1/2 inch in thickness and made of several different layers of material
• Avoid a leather or plastic sole if you want your flip-flops to perform at all in wet conditions
• Avoid getting a shoe with a thin sole that has the tendency to wear out quickly and does not protect your feet from sharp rocks and potentially dangerous sharp objects, especially after several months of intense use