Trendy Boots Can Lead To Problems For Some Wearers
CHICAGO (CBS) -- They're one of the most popular footwear choices out there, but for some, they can eventually lead to foot problems.
CBS 2's Susan Carlson shows you some increasingly common injuries with the trendy boots and how to avoid them.
Asked if Ugg-style boots seem to be pretty popular on her college campus, student Lisa Daly said "They're pretty popular on this campus. ... They're comfortable and they're warm."
Another young woman, Julie Glasior, said, "They're pretty trendy. I mean, they look good with my outfit."
Uggs started the furry boot trend. Now, a variety of companies make similar styles.
Women who wear them told CBS 2 News that they love them and can't get enough of them.
"I wear them all the time when it's cold outside. In my house. Basically everywhere," Daly said.
They might feel warm and comfy on your feet while you're wearing them outside, but the real problems occur because people don't take them off inside. They tend to wear them all day, every day.
Dr. Neal Frankel, a podiatrist in Chicago's Loop said that, "because they are standing on them for long periods of time, they're getting a lot of foot strain, tendon sprain. A lady actually tripped on one breaking her toe."
Frankel said he sees at least two patients a week who come in with injuries resulting from flat, stiff-soled boots.
"They come in with swelling, inflammation and difficulty in standing and basically, they realize it's because of the shoe," Frankel said.
Frankel said the problems almost always occur in people with flat feet, which 20% to 30% of the population suffers from. You can be born that way or it can develop later in life due to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure or arthritis.
Strains and sprains from wearing the boots might not show up until the next day, or even weeks later.
Glasior said, "sometimes they do hurt my feet a little bit, because I walk so much in the city."
Her solution is one podiatrists applaud. She puts an arch support in her shoe.
But that's not the only problem Frankel said he sees in people who wear these fur-lined boots.
"They're getting what's called hyperhydrosis," Frankel said. "It's an excessive amount of sweating that occurs on the feet because they're just not getting enough air."
And that can cause fungal infections on the feet and between the toes.
You can buy special socks which help avoid moisture-buildup, or, better yet, Frankel advises you should, "let the boots air out. Don't wear them every day."
Sprains and strains are often treated with ice, anti-inflammatory drugs, stretching or sometimes physical therapy. Fungal infections can be treated with talc products and medications.
Since Ugg is the best known manufacturer of furry-style boots, CBS 2 News reached out to the company for comment, but they did not get back to us.
