I'm a foot doctor — this summer shoe is a scary health risk

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Take a step in the right direction with your foot health this summer.

A podiatrist has shared the warm-weather shoes he doesn’t recommend because they could lead to injuries — and flip-flops are at the top of his blacklist.

Singapore foot doc Paul Macaulay, better known as @paulthepodiatrist on TikTok, is warning viewers against wearing ultra-flat flip-flops.

“We have a big issue here in Asia that everyone wears flip flops all the time, unfortunately some people aren’t strong and fit enough to do so,” Macaulay told The Post in an email Saturday.

“Biomechanical imbalances lead to overloading injuries such as plantar fasciitis and posterior tibial tendonitis.”

Not only do the casual sandals lack proper arch support, but they lack security as well, Macaulay said in a clip online.

“Your foot likely wants to have to grip onto it,” he said, gesturing at the shoe.

“With some people, you wear them for prolonged periods of time over many years, and your toes can start to stiffen and claw up, and then that can be hard to reverse,” he added, showing a photo of a foot with a curled toe.

Claw toe, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, is often caused by wearing shoes that squeeze the toes or do not offer adequate support.

Wearing shoes with an extra strap around the heel is one way to prevent the disorder, said Macaulay, who boasts more than 17,700 followers on the app.

“This will give more stability to the ankle and hold the foot in place,” he explained. “Or, you could even choose the style which has a strap coming over the front, which holds the foot down.”

Safety — or lack thereof — is another problem accompanying the thong sandals.

People whose mobility isn’t good, Macaulay told The Post, are at risk of tripping and falling if they wear their flip-flops loosely.

And for those with diabetes, Macaulay said, flip-flops allow the feet to become too dry, leading to cracked heels in some cases.

“Diabetics, especially Type 2 … often have conditions like neuropathy where they can’t feel their feet,” Macaulay explained.

“Wearing flip flops, it can be easy to cut your foot and then that can lead to a bigger problem like an infected wound that could lead to an amputation if not cared for correctly.”

In a subsequent videos, Macaulay describes the best footwear for women in the summer months and the shoes he would never wear as a podiatrist: slip-on loafers, stilettos, ballet flats, soft slip-ons and, of course, flip-flops.

“Flip flops are OK if worn for the right activity, if it’s just from the car to the beach or to walk across the beach it’s OK. Just wearing them to walk 5-10K steps would not be recommended as they have no support,” Macaulay told The Post.

“I personally thing a slide style is better, with built-in arch support. A great American brand is OOFOS, they are great for preventing heel and forefoot pain.”