Flip-flops are summer’s ally, but the versatility of this shoe does not limit its use only to sunny, hot and beach dates. Many people use them in their daily lives to walk around the house. In addition, there are also those who choose swimming as a sport to stay in shape and, for this reason, they need them.

They come in many shapes and colors and are also easy to use. For this, flip flops never go out of style, all brands release their versions of this shoe every year and they always become high-demand products. However, They have an uncomfortable disadvantage: chafing.

Flip-flops have a tendency to dig between the fingers due to direct contact with the skin and the friction that is generated. For this reason, plasters become lifesavers for all those people who want to prevent or cure wounds caused by this shoe.

How to avoid chafing

Some of the most popular options include protective balms, deep hydration, talcum powder (this is more suitable for summer) or, the most curious, cooling the shoes before using them.

• Protective balms: Some brands sell balms in format stick which serve to protect the skin from friction and rubbing with the shoe. Most appear in cream and are applied to localized areas to avoid the risk of injury.
• Deep hydration: It is very important to have hydrated skin. If our feet are dry, wounds or chafing will be more likely to appear between the toes. In fact, there are those who even recommend applying moisturizing cream to flip-flops before wearing them to soften the straps that tend to cause chafing.
• Talcum powder: This is one of the most common tricks to avoid chafing. They are used above all to prevent excess moisture from generating in the skin, which can facilitate wounds. For this reason, this traditional remedy is very popular in summer.
• Cool the footwear: This option usually surprises, but it is very effective. It is about stretching the material of the shoe. To do this, you will have to fill a plastic bag with water and put it on top of the flip flops. Then, you must put them in another bag and put everything in the freezer. The water will freeze, thus stretching the leather of the shoe. It is very important that, after doing this, you put the flip flops on immediately so that they adapt to the shape of your feet.

How to relieve discomfort

If it is too late and you have not been able to avoid the chafing, what you will have to do is heal the wound correctly and stop using those flip flops for a while, at least, until it heals.

To heal a chafing you should wash the skin with soap and plenty of water as the first step. It is very important that the skin is clean to prevent an annoying wound from turning into a painful infection. Secondly, you should dry the area well and apply chlorhexidine or povidone iodine (you can find them in pharmacies).

Finally, it is very important to cover the wound with a non-stick gauze or tape to prevent it from coming into contact with external factors. The problem with plasters is that some do not allow the skin to breathe well, so you must be careful when choosing what you will use to cover the wound.

If you think your wound is infected, it is recommended that you go to a professional such as a podiatrist to assess the severity of the chafing and treat it. Localized massages and specific ointments for the treatment of this type of wound can also help relieve pain.

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