When the weather warms up, it is always a relief to toss your socks and boots and slip on a pair of flip flops that will allow your feet to breathe. One of the most distinctive features of flip flops is the thong-style design that allows you to wear them with ease, but the strap that goes between the big toe and the second toe can cause blisters and painful abrasions of you are not careful. So how can you protect your feet from getting hurt by your favorite pair of flip flops?
How to keep flip flops from hurting between toes?
- To keep flip flops from hurting your toes, consider wearing them every other day rather than daily.
- When your flip flops get wet, air them out and allow them to dry completely before you wear them. This will not only protect you from blisters but also fungal infections.
- You can also try wrapping moleskin or an adhesive silicone pad around the toe post of the flip flop to act as a barrier and prevent direct contact and friction.
- Another way you can prevent painful friction is by applying antiblister get to the area between your toes before wearing your flip flops. If you are not keen on coating your feet with gel, you could apply a coat of antifriction solution on the toe post instead.
Despite flip flops being one of the most popular types of footwear during the summer, they can be pretty hard on your feet, especially between the first two toes where the toe post goes. It is not uncommon to develop blisters in this area due to the constant friction between unprotected skin and the flip flop.
Tips on how to keep flip flops from hurting your toes
1. Don’t wear your flip flops for too long or daily
If you are already experiencing pain between the big toe and the second toe as a result of wearing flip flops, you will want to avoid wearing them for extended periods or daily. This is because wearing them too frequently will only worsen the problem and cause even more painful blisters to develop in the affected area. Opt to give your feet a break and heal by alternating your flip flops with footwear that will be easier and more comfortable on your feet.
2. Avoid wearing them when they are wet
When your flip flops get wet, always allow them to dry completely before putting them on. This is because excessive moisture due to wet conditions tends to soften your skin and make it more susceptible to blisters as a result of friction. This also applies to your feet – always ensure that you dry them thoroughly before you wear flip flops that have toe posts which rub the area between your first two toes uncomfortably.
3. Wrap an adhesive silicone pad or a piece of moleskin
If you notice that your flip flops are causing a lot of discomfort, try wrapping the toe post using a piece of moleskin or an adhesive silicone pad around the toe post. Both of these materials are efficient at providing a barrier that cushions the skin found on the area between your toes from friction. As a result, you won’t have to deal with the appearance of painful blisters that could potentially pop and cause even more pain.
4. Apply antiblister gel
Antiblister gel is a product that is designed to minimize friction on different parts of the body, including between your toes. Before using the antiblister gel, read the instructions on the package just to make sure that you are not using too much or too little of it. Apply the gel to the affected area to reduce rubbing and chafing, consequently reducing the likelihood of blisters developing.
5. Coat the straps with antifriction solution
If you don’t want to use an antiblister gel, you can go for an antifriction solution that you apply on your flip flops instead. An antifriction solution forms a barrier between your skin and the flip flop. Although petroleum jelly can be used in place of an antifriction solution, it cannot be relied on as a long-term solution as it will eventually dry out.
6. Bring out of the socks if you need to
Before taking your flip flops out for a spin outside, consider wearing them with a pair of your thickest socks around your house. Walk around in them for about half an hour at a time, flexing your toes as much as possible. In addition to being effective in stretching flip flops that are too tight, this will also help your feet to mold to them and allow for a more comfortable experience wearing them outside your home.
7. Blast your flip flops using a hairdryer
To keep your flip flops from hurting your toes, you will want the toe post to be as flexible as possible, and one of the ways to achieve this flexibility is by using a hairdryer to blast the toe post while you have the flip flops on. Before putting on your flip flops for this technique, wear a pair of thick socks first to help with the process. Once you have the flip flops on, blast then with the hairdryer on a high heat setting for about a minute or toe, focusing on the toe post, although you can move the hairdryer a bit if the heat becomes too much. Allow the flip flops to cool while they are on your feet so that they don’t end up reverting to their initial shape. Repeat this process as needed until your toes feel comfortable against the toe post.
8. Put the flip flops in the freezer
Another way you can mold the shape of the toe post is by freezing the flip flops. To do this, you will need to put two Ziploc bags that are half-way filled with water in each flip flop. Each bag of water should go under the strap and be in direct contact with the toe post. Placement of these bags will determine how the toe post will be altered, so you will want to ensure that they remain in place. Make sure that the bags are tightly sealed to prevent the water from spilling. Place the flip flops in another plastic bag and then put the bag in the freezer. Leave them in there for a few hours and then take them out once they are frozen. Allow the bags to thaw to be able to take them out with ease, then try on the flip flops and walk around in them.
9. Use wax or dish soap
Apply a few drops of either beeswax or candle wax to the toe post of the flip flop to soften and eventually smooth them. Alternatively, you can also apply dish soap (a mild one if you have sensitive skin) to serve the same purpose. Both dish soap and wax are effective in creating a barrier between your feet and the flip flop toe post, subsequently reducing the rubbing motion that hurts your toes.
10. Apply deodorant
Another option is to apply deodorant to the toe post as well as to the area between your toes. Deodorant will act as a lubricant, consequently reducing the risk of the toe post painfully rubbing against your toes, which will, in turn, keep your toes free of blisters.
11. Cornstarch and talcum powder
You can prevent painful blisters between your toes by sprinkling a bit of baby powder or talcum powder between the big toe and the second toe. Reapply the powder at least once if you expect to walk some distance in your flip flops. For a more DIY approach, apply cornstarch instead as it also has absorbent properties that will keep your toes dry.
12. Steam your flip flops
Steaming your flip flops can help to make a stiff toe post more flexible and easily moldable to your feet. The easiest way to steam your flip flops is by placing them in the bathroom as you take a hot shower. The steam from the shower will help loosen the toe post and make it more flexible. Once you step out of the shower, wear the flip flops to ensure that the toe post molds to your toes and maintains its shape.
13. Take them to a cobbler
In case all the aforementioned techniques fail to work and the toe post still rubs into your toes uncomfortably when you wear your flip flops, opt to take them to a cobbler. A professional cobbler will know how to make the toe post more flexible and smooth against your toes. You can easily find one by looking online or asking friends and family for recommendations.
Final thoughts
It is no secret that the toe post can cause some friction in the area between your big toe and second toe, consequently leading to the development of painful blisters. There are several strategies that you can employ to get rid of the pain, with most of them requiring that you do them over and over to ensure that the toe post completely stops digging into your skin.