Could UGG Boots Cause Foot Fungus, Back Pain?

Whether you consider Ugg boots a fashion friend or foe there now may be some health concerns associated with the popular sheepskin boots. Which begs the question: Are Ugg boots bad for feet?

Because of the minimal arch support and toasty environment of the boots, users are now experiencing some unwanted side effects: back and foot pain as well as skin infections such as foot fungus and dermititis.

The lack of arch support means that feet and ankles are put into unnatural walking patterns when worn for extended periods of time. Ugg boots then reportedly cause pain to shoot to the hip and back. Ugg-associated pain seems to stem from overuse and each person's individual feet.

Users have also complained of foot fungus from Ugg boots, a result of bare feet in the hot sheepskin. MSNBC interviewed podiatrist Krista Archer who advised wearing socks and spraying the liner with an anti-fungal solution once a month.

Uggs were never made for long-distance walking. Nor have they been advertised as such. Whether the health issues from Ugg boots would result in some type of personal injury lawsuit appears unlikely, but never say never.

Not only are Uggs promoted as a comfortable slipper to stay warm in, but the company hasn't marketed them for long walks. Put another way, if Ugg boots are bad for feet, the company never advertised that they were good for feet (as it relates to support and stability) in the first place. Users may have a better case when it comes to foot fungus as the ability to contact some type of foot infection may require the simple act of wearing Ugg boots.

Related Resources:

• The Cold Sends Shoppers In Search of Uggs (The Independent)
  
• What Is False Advertising (FindLaw)
• Defective and Dangerous Products (FindLaw)