If you’re anything like me, you adore Crocs. Every year, I buy a new pair and wear them frequently from late spring to late fall. I like how they feel and look, as well as how easy they are to clean. They’re also quite versatile—I wear them to the beach, in the garden, while running errands, and even with nice outfits on occasion.But have you ever wondered if Crocs are bad for your feet? I’ve heard rumors…like Crocs don’t provide proper arch support, or that they cause foot fungus because they make your feet too hot and sweaty. Is the word on the street true, really?
Could I be 100% honest with you? Crocs are not bad for your feet. Here’s why. Crocs were designed to help people with achy feet and plantar pain. Turns out, Crocs are certified by the U.S. Ergonomics Council as an ideal product for people with foot problems. Each pair offers arch support, which helps distribute weight evenly and keep your feet from getting tired. Their inner support systems keep you comfortable even as you walk for long periods or over rough terrain, while their massaging heel cups improve blood circulation and reduce foot swelling.
The story of Crocs began in 2002, with the first pair of Clogs. Crocs has been booming at an exponential rate since then, and it is now estimated that more than 720 million pairs of the company’s shoes have been sold throughout the world. As Crocs become more popular, we can expect to see these shoes dominating the fashion trends in the coming years.
The problem with most shoes is that they can be hard to slip on and off. And after a long day at work, it is annoying to have to bend down to take off your shoes. Crocs resolve this issue as they do not require much physical effort on the wearer’s part. You simply step into or out of the footgear in one motion. Therefore, wearing Crocs is the ideal alternative for people who love convenience without compromising comfort and style.The best part? They’re so easy to clean. Just rinse and wipe them with a cloth when they get dirty.
Crocs isn’t just a big company. It’s a big company that goes above and beyond to help people. In the midst of the COVID pandemic, Crocs started its “Free Pair for Healthcare” program as a means of supporting the medical professionals on the frontlines working with COVID patients. Since then, Crocs has donated close to one million pairs of shoes to healthcare professionals.
What Makes Crocs Good For Your Feet?
Everyone loves to go on vacation. What better way to relax from the hustle and bustle of daily life? And with the perfect pair of Crocs, your travel escapade in the tropics will be more comfortable and memorable. Crocs will also provide extra protection for your toes, because they act as a buffer between the ground and your foot. Their closed-cell foam composition offers both cushioning and support, which prevent injuries. When buying Crocs, you don’t have to worry about the price because they are relatively cheap!
At first glance, Crocs look pretty ugly and ridiculous. Their bright colors, their clunky shape, their unsightly straps are all traits that normally would be deal breakers for a shoe. But in all honesty, wearing Crocs is not just about style; it actually has many health benefits. The shoes were originally designed to help relieve plantar fasciitis, diabetes, bunions and other foot ailments, and are now certified in the US.
Since the American Podiatric Medical Association recommends them, Crocs are prescribed by medical doctors for patients suffering from mild or serious foot problems.
Crocs are also ideal for people with bone deformities such as hammertoes and bunions because they are lightweight and compact, according to Harold Glickman, former president of the APMA. He also stated that Crocs are made of anti-bacterial material, which keeps fungal infections at bay.
For patients living with diabetes, keeping wounds clean and dry is crucial to preventing further complications, but it’s a difficult task. The risk of wound infection is greater as blood doesn’t circulate around their feet as often as it should.
Crocs are an ideal footwear choice for diabetic patients because they provide comfort, protection, and value. Not only do they feature antimicrobial technology to fight off bacterial growth and keep wounds clean, but they are also comfortable on sore feet. These features mean that Crocs can prevent cuts from becoming infected when healing is most important.
In the hospital setting, Crocs also are beloved for all the right reasons: they offer extra protection for toes that don’t quite work right, and are easy on calloused heels and ankles. They’ve become a go-to for patients who want the comfort of flip-flops but also want their feet to be well-protected
What Experts Say About the Safety of Crocs?
Some consumers and medical experts, however, raise concerns about Crocs. Podiatrists say that Crocs could hurt our health, especially when worn all the time.
Megan Leahy, a podiatrist in Chicago, advises her patients not to wear Crocs all day because they can cause serious health problems such as calluses, tendonitis, corns, toe deformities, and nail defects. These foot problems have been linked to backless shoes, which lack adequate and strong heel support.
As a result, when you take a step, your toes are more likely to grip the soles of your Crocs in order to stabilize your heels.
What about Crocs that have heel straps? According to Alex Kor, a podiatrist, they not quite ideal for your feet. He added that patients are still at a higher risk of developing foot pain, particularly if their footwear bends in the shank.
He also stated that the vast majority of his patients who complained of heel or arch pain all wore Crocs.
The major factors people consider when purchasing shoes, including Crocs, are price and aesthetics. According to Surgeon Jamin V. Brahmbhatt, the buyers might not even know that the shoes will cause extreme damage when worn regularly. This attitude of overlooking their feet health has caused problems that could have been avoided.
As much as we’d like to believe that we can live without foot pain and discomfort, it’s important to be vigilant about foot health. Foot problems don’t always manifest with visible symptoms, but rather in the form of aches and pains that build up over time. Left untreated, this can eventually lead to more serious problems in our hips or other sensitive body parts.
Some Controversies About Crocs
Crocs are comfortable, and can be slipped on and off without having to tie or buckle them. However, the soft material used in their manufacture make them extremely difficult to remove once they get stuck in an escalator.
After receiving a number of complaints from consumers that Crocs shoes were trapping kids’ feet in escalators, Japan requested the company to modify their design. Reports revealed that those children couldn’t pull their feet out of the Crocs fastened by straps, and were subsequently injured when their toes were severed or crushed. Similar complaints were also made in the US.
That same year, a woman in Pennsylvania sued the company for $7.5 million after her six-year-old son’s right big toe was chewed up by an escalator while wearing Crocs. A father also filed a $2 million lawsuit against Crocs for the injuries of his son’s toes in an escalator accident at Atlanta airport.
Fast forward to 2012. A California couple filed a $2 million blawsuit against the company when daughter’s shoes were caught in the escalator’s side, where she lost her toe. Luckily, the company has settled most of these cases.
Other Problems in Wearing Crocs
You might have heard that corns, calluses, and bunion deformities are common among fans of Crocs. But did you know that these are just the beginning? While some people love the shoes because they’re comfy or cute, the truth is that if you wear them for hours on end, you might want to brace yourself for the following problems:
Blisters
Wearing Crocs for an hour or more every day can lead to blisters. That’s why experts recommend the use of socks for added protection and comfort.
Smelly Feet
Crocs are known for having antibacterial properties that make them healthier than most shoes. But we cannot deny the fact that their rubbery material can cause your feet to sweat and smell.
But since Crocs are made from washable material, you can clean them with soap and water and they’ll be fresh again!
The Advantage of Consulting Your Podiatrist
To avoid the risk of heel or ankle problems, it is highly recommended that you consult your podiatrist before investing in this type of footwear.
Usually, medical professionals recommend Crocs for diabetic patients to protect them from wound infections. You can also wear Crocs for aesthetic purposes. But like with everything else, be as careful as possible.
Tips for Wearing Crocs
No doubt, people who love wearing Crocs cannot argue that this footwear is often associated with many disadvantages: they are clunky, cause various foot problems, etc. Fortunately, you can use Crocs without suffering from any of these drawbacks. Find out how from this section!
Use Them at Intervals
If you’re one of the many consumers who suffer from toe deformities, blisters, and ankle pain because you wear Crocs for hours straight, you might want to listen up. Podiatrists suggest everyone take off their pairs of Crocs after a few minutes or an hour to avoid heel and ankle injuries.Just like it’s necessary to occasionally take your feet out of your shoes at home, it’s also essential for Crocs wearers to give their feet a rest every so often.
Wear Socks
Crocs are breathable and comfortable, just like flip-flops. You can also wear Crocs with socks for added comfort. But be sure to save the socks for long-pant days. Then, you’ll be able to look on fleek while staying comfy and warm in your Croc-with-sock ensemble.
Escalator Safety Tips
Reports indicate that more than 10,000 people go to emergency rooms each year after a Crocs-related accident on escalators. More than 20% of these cases involve having one’s footwear, hands and feet trapped in an escalator.
Experts suggest parents make sure their kids ride in the center of an escalator step to be safe.
In case something happens, most escalators have an emergency stop button that you can press. However, prevention is always better than treatment, so it’s best to not wear Crocs at all when using an escalator.
The Verdict: Are Crocs Safe?
Crocs are comfortable shoes, but wearing them for too long can result in several foot-related problems. In fact, foot deformities, blisters and tendonitis can also result from using Crocs for extended periods.Based on this, podiatrists caution against using Crocs for long hours at a time. If you must wear them, take breaks every now and then just to be safe.
You can also let your children have fun with Crocs, as long as they’re nowhere near elevators.
And, if you follow the recommendations your podiatrist, then you can safely enjoy the comfort that these slip-on shoes bring.
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