Medical Questions » Feet Questions » Question No. 365
| Question: | My son insists on wearing sneakers, and refuses to wear good shoes. The more worn the sneakers appear, the happier he is. Are sneakers good or bad for your feet? |
| Answer: | Feet need support, protection and air circulation to remain healthy. Lack of support can lead to flat feet, ankle injuries and foot pain. Lack of protection leads to injury from above, sides and below. Lack of air circulation leads to sweaty moist feet that are susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections.
By these standards, leather shoes with an arch support and air holes are the ideal footwear. Trying to keep an Australian child in such shoes, particularly during summer, is virtually impossible. Compromises are therefore necessary.
Good quality sandals and sneakers are acceptable, but those made of plastic or nylon should be avoided, as these aggravate the sweating of feet. Canvas or open weave sneakers are preferable, as are those with a good insole and support shape.
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