Right Shoe, Left Shoe, Which Shoe

Working in a hospital entails walking, running, and standing for long periods of time. If not equipped with the right shoes your feet will suffer, and so will your attitude.  We are always asked by medical students what are the best shoes to wear while on the floors so here's a compilation of the most popular shoes worn by medical personnel.


DANSKOS

Known as the mother of all hospital shoes, Danskos clogs are anatomically created to mold to your foot over several wears. The heel is open and enlarged allowing feet to move comfortably within the shoe. From personal experience, they are a bit uncomfortable to wear at the beginning due to the high arch but it gets better over time.

I have had my pair since medical school and absolutely love them! They are durable, sturdy, and don't have my feet aching at the end of the day.They also come in various designs allowing for individuality when wearing scrubs.



CROCS

 

Yes their not the nicest looking shoes,  yes they can squeak sometimes, but yes they are amazing! The loose fit of the shoes allows for a natural bend while walking. The odor resistant material keeps your feet from smelling after keeping them on for a long time. (I would suggest socks, those help to!) The closed heel and toe meets workplace standards, making it safe against biohazards and needle injury.

I have had my Crocs for at least two years. I love the ease of slipping them on and off throughout the day when I just want my feet to breath.


BIRKIE

 Flexible, man-made clogs created by the shoe company Birckenstock, Birkie's boast a removable footbed allowing you to change them when they become worn and thus increasing the longevity of the shoe. Their deep heel cup allows for better posture and decreased back pain. The longitudinal arch support distributes weight evenly also decreasing fatigue from wearing the same shoe for several hours. 

CALZURO

Initially created for surgeons, these Italian made shoes have quickly become popular due to their  massage bump infused soles which promote constant blood circulation within the feet. The comfort insoles provide cushion support with an arch that conforms to your foot. The one and half inch heel also provides all day support so your feet don't hurt when you take them off at the the day. One great aspect of Calzuros are that they can be cleaned via autoclave, withstanding up to 300 degrees of heat and ensuring all  nasty hospital germs are killed.



ALEGRIA

 Alegria shoes boast leather-based vibrant prints and colors, with patented, countour-forming footbeds. The rocker bottom outsole allows for your foot to roll naturally .The arch support is made up of memory foam, cork, and latex allowing for a customized fit.

Many of these shoes have been approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association meaning they promote good foot health and allow for normal foot function.  Almost all of these shoes have anti-slip protection which are essential if you have to run to a code or other emergency situation. Most also offer either side or top vents allowing your feet to breath. The synthetic shoes (Crocs, Birki's, Calzuro's) can all be easily washed with soap and water or sterilized with bleach.


The price of these shoes range from $40-$150 but discount stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls sometimes carry them for half the price. Shoe stores like the Walking Company often times will give discounts to local hospitals workers with a hospital ID.


 Hopefully all these options will provide some relief from tired, aching feet.
Are there any shoes you would suggest for long hours on your feet?

Sun Safety

Though summer is in full swing, it's never to late to discuss sun safety.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and also the most preventable.

The sun produces different types of sunrays each with varying levels of strength. Ultraviolet (UV) rays are the ones which can cause skin changes including wrinkles, blotchiness, sun spots and cancer.

Here are some quick tips to reduce your chance of sunburn

• Avoid being in the sun during it's peak burning hours (between 10am and 4pm)

• Use sunscreen which protects against UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays, is waterproof, and has an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15

• Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, and after swimming or sweating excessively

• Wear a wide brim hat to protect the scalp and ears from sunburn

• Check your skin regularly for any changes such as new or discolored moles and ulcerations

• If you are a fan of tanning beds and sunlamps which also produce UV rays, try to limit outdoor sun exposure and vice versa

• Don't forget the eyes! Wear sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection

The US Environmental Protection Agency has created a daily UV index to help predict risk of exposure to UV radiation based on area code. A higher UV index calls for increased protection (think more sunscreen!).

You can calculate your own area's UV risk at UV Index

                 

And no, Kanye was not spittin the truth when he said "I'm way too black to burn from sunrays". Black people and individuals with darker skin tones DO get sunburned and DO get skin cancer. (Bob Marley died from complications of skin cancer which developed in his toe).
                 

The melanin in darker skin allows for less wrinkles and fine lines and acts as a natural protectant against UV rays. However darker skin is also more proned to uneven skin tone and discoloration with increased sun exposure. So despite what your grandmother told you about "black don't crack" it is still important to protect your skin.


So as you get ready to go the pool, beach, or rooftop day party do remember to take care of the largest organ on your body, your skin.

Between finishing up our second year of residency (where did the time go?!), preparing for USMLE Step 3 (glad that's over!), and getting ready to embark on new journeys (more on that later), we had to take a step back from blogging. One of the characteristics of being a good physician is prioritizing and knowing when to spend more time on one thing compared to the other. Luckily life has slowed down a bit so we can get back to OhemaasMD .Thanks to all the supportive readers!