The main reason I am writing this blog is to provide a service for people who are interested in the dangers of flip flops and the best practices that can be used to prevent the most common injuries. With that being said, if you suffer from foot pain or plantar warts it is important to make sure you have a good pair of shoes like these men’s running shoes or these women’s running shoes before going out for a run or workout.
The most common injuries that occur from flip flops are sprained ankles and plantar warts. Despite being very painful, a sprained ankle is not that serious and will usually heal within a few days. Plantar warts however are very serious and should be treated immediately.
Plantar Wart
A plantar wart (veruca) is a small wart on the sole (plantar surface) of the foot. Plantar means ‘relating to the sole of the foot’. Plantar warts are also known as verrucas.
Plantar warts occur when there is a break in the skin on the bottom of your foot, allowing the virus to enter. The virus makes its home in the skin cells, which begin to grow rapidly, creating rough, hard growths on your feet
If you wear flip flops, you may be putting yourself at risk of something called plantar warts. Plantar warts are caused by a virus that enters the skin through small cuts or cracks and can spread in warm and moist environments like a public swimming pool or shower. They appear as thick, rough lumps with dark dots that look like tiny seeds. While they don’t pose any major health threats, they are contagious and can cause serious discomfort.
Here are some tips to protect your feet:
Wear protective footwear in public pools, showers, saunas and locker rooms.
Wash your feet often with soap and water.
Keep your feet dry and clean.
Don’t go barefoot outside of your home.
Don’t pick at warts.
If you think you may have plantar warts, see a podiatrist for treatment options.”
Dr. Sears warns that flip flops may lead to plantar warts, also called verrucas, which are small growths with a rough surface that appear on the soles of your feet.
“If you wear flip flops or go barefoot in communal showers, locker rooms, dormitories, or swimming pools, you have a higher risk of developing plantar warts,” Dr. Sears explains. “This is because the virus that causes them lives on moist surfaces.”
Kathryn Boling, MD, a family practitioner at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore says that although flip flops are better than going barefoot in public places, they’re not sufficient protection against plantar warts.
The Problem: Wearing flip-flops frequently could cause a plantar wart for two reasons. Plantar warts are contagious and can spread through direct contact with the skin. The second reason you could develop plantar warts is if your flip-flop touches the ground before you put them on, especially if they have been on the ground at the pool or beach.
The Solution: If you are going to wear flip flops, make sure they have some sort of strap on them to keep them on your feet. It would also be good to wash your feet every time after wearing flip-flops, and make sure not to borrow other people’s flip-flops!
The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) warns that prolonged wearing of flip-flops can lead to a number of foot problems, including plantar warts.
Wearing the wrong footwear does more than just cause sore feet and blisters. Flip flops can actually pose a danger to your feet, especially if you wear them on a regular basis.
According to the APMA, wearing flip flops outside the pool or beach can lead to:
Sunburned feet
Increased risk of getting athlete’s foot
Calf muscle pain and Achilles tendinitis
Ankle sprains
Plantar warts
Flip flops are common footwear used by many Americans. The primary benefit of this type of footwear is easy on and off access due to the open-toed design. However, flip flops can cause serious health problems if worn for extended periods of time.
Plantar warts are a common foot ailment caused by the human papillomavirus. The virus enters the body through small cuts or breaks in the skin which allows the virus to enter the body. The virus thrives in warm wet areas such as locker rooms, showers, and swimming pools. Plantar warts are not always painful but they may grow and multiply at an alarming rate if left untreated.
The major concern with plantar warts is that they are highly contagious to others. They can be spread directly from one person to another or indirectly via shoes, socks, floors, etc. Plantar warts can be prevented by wearing proper shoes that protect your feet. It’s important to avoid areas where warts are present such as locker rooms or public showers. Washing your hands frequently will also help prevent any viruses from entering your body through cuts or breaks in the skin on your hands.
If you do get plantar warts it’s important to treat
Plantar warts, also known as verrucas, are small growths that appear on the heel and ball of the foot. They are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which enters the body through cuts and cracks in wet, warm environments such as around a swimming pool.
The virus can cause small skin lesions that may grow cauliflower-like bumps on the soles of your feet. They may be tender or painful (especially when standing or walking).
Plantar warts can be picked up from direct contact with someone who has it. It can also be contracted from surfaces in areas where others have walked barefoot – such as changing rooms, showers, around swimming pools or even your own home if you have carpeting.
One of the main ways plantar warts are spread is by wearing footwear used by an infected person. Flip flops are often worn around public pool areas and shared with others. The HPV can survive for up to 18 months on a surface, so if you wear another person’s flip flops, you could easily contract plantar warts from them.
For this reason it is important to wear flip flops when walking around public shower and toilet areas when travelling abroad.