They are an important piece of the winter wardrobe for many but could the trend for Ugg style boots affect your foot health?
Ugg boots are made from sheepskin and originated down under in Australia but did you know that they were never intended for outdoor wear hence the fact that they are not waterproof?
The popularity of the Ugg boot boomed back in 2000 when they landed in America. Oprah Winfrey added them to her ‘Oprah’s Favourite Things’ show and spent an incredible $50,000 on buying a pair for each of her 350 members of staff! They came to the UK in 2003 and Vogue magazine went crazy for them. Even now, all these years later they still fly off the shelves on both sides of the pond and celebrities are often snapped wearing a pair making them even more popular.
As with everything that is popular, imitation Ugg’s soon started to pop up and you can now find them in most clothes retailers in the UK. Ugg Australia released a statement urging people to beware of the copies of their boots. They said that its boots are “made with the finest materials and designed with the utmost care and attention to detail”. This includes “structured heel counters” for “substantial support”.
As Chiropodists and Podiatrists we admit it – we do look at people’s footwear when we are out and about! We often see Ugg style boots where the sole has completely worn away at the back which cannot be comfortable! The foot would not be held in position and when taking a step the force would fall to the inside of the foot. This can cause lowering of the arch which can in turn cause tendon strain and problems with the ankle and the heel. Knee and back pain has also been reported. Due to the wide toe box your foot does not have any support like when you wear flip flops and your feet and toes are forced to clench onto the inside of the boot with every step. Next time you’re wearing your boots concentrate on your feet when you’re walking and you’ll know what I mean!
Another problem which some of you may have noticed is smelly feet! The boots are very warm and can cause the feet to sweat much more than they would in a normal shoe. Dermatologists have been involved in research into Ugg style boots and have found that it is best to wear socks with the boots as those that didn’t were more likely to build up fungus and bacteria. If the boots get wet it is very important that you allow them to dry as again, a warm and moist environment is a breeding ground for bacteria.
If you absolutely cannot give up your Ugg boots an orthotic insole can provide the support that you need. However, even with the addition of the orthotic, we would suggest that you try to wear your boots occasionally rather than full time. Finally, don’t forget the socks! If you go barefoot in your boots and you have a fungal infection it’s more than likely that the fungus will have settled in your boots too. You can clear up the infection in many cases but the moment you step back into your boots the infection will come right back.
If you do have foot pain or think you have a fungal infection make an appointment with a member of our Chiropody and Podiatry team. The good news is that they will be able to assess and diagnose the problem and advise suitable treatment options for you. It might not be such good news for the Ugg’s though!