VANITY INSANITY

Flaunting the latest in fashion earns you the tag of a 'trend-setter', but experts warn that it could come at the cost of your health, reports Vikas Hotwani

STILETTOS
Stilettos may add that sex appeal, but walking on stilts is certainly not the most natural state for your body. "The make-up of the human body is such that we are meant to walk on the entire foot. Stilettos give you added height, but meanwhile, the centre of gravity is pushed forward. Carry on strutting around in stilettos and in the long run, you might end up with back and knee aches," says physiotherapist Dr Rangwala of G D Somani school Polyclinic, Cuffe Parade.
    The long-term health hazards of sporting stilettos are many, the most common ones being 'bunions' and foot deformity that leads to swelling at the base of the toe. Even celebrities are not immune to these. Last year, Victoria Beckham reportedly developed bunions thanks to strutting around in high heels for long hours. Rangwala adds, "If you the the stilettos you wear are closed and extremely tight at the end, they will cramp your the feet and you may develop hammertoes in the long run." Damage Control: Give up stilettos altogether! If that's not a viable option, try not to wear them for long hours. Taking a walk barefoot for 15 minutes every day is also a good idea; it exercises the various acupressure points in the foot. When buying heels, see that your toes have enough space. Also, shop for heels at dusk since your feet tend to naturally expand, ever so slightly, at that time of the day.
THONGS
Thongs are certainly not the best option if you want to steer clear of nasty infections and keep your fertility intact. Tight undergarments rub against your skin every time you walk and don't provide breathing space for your genitals. Elaborates sexologist Dr Mahinder Watsa, "Anything other than cotton makes it difficult for your skin to breathe. Moreover, in Mumbai's humid weather where your private areas tend to sweat a lot, it can lead to higher chances of contracting an infection. This holds true for both men and women."
    In fact, men face an added risk factor. "It is believed that the testicles are situated out of the male body because it's important for them to remain cool. Their temperature must be maintained at a degree less than normal body temperature. Wearing thongs pulls the testicles closer to the body and keeps them warmer. This might affect fertility in the long run," warns Dr Watsa. Damage Control: Again, ditch 'em. But if you still can't resist wearing them, Dr Watsa advises, "Make sure the material is pure cotton. When at home, don't wear underwear. It's important to keep the area cool and dry." SKINNY JEANS
Skinny jeans may flaunt your toned legs, but aren't the best option if you care for your skin. "The tight fitting hardly allows aeration for the skin, making the sweat to stay longer on the skin. This increases the risk of suffering from frequent fungal infections," says dermatologist Dr Raj Parikh of Skinodent Clinic in Ghatkopar.
    Moreover, the pitfalls for men don't end here. "In case of men, skinny jeans might put more pressure on the scrotum and even cause damage to testicles in the long run. Also, the tight-fit might damage the hair follicles on the legs, lead to excessive pulling and thereby causing folliculitis.
Damage Control: Strike a balance. Make sure your wardrobe isn't overloaded with skinny fits. At the first signs of a skin issue, give them up and contact your dermatologist.
BIG BAGS
You may love your oversized totes for squeezing your world into them, but the bad news is that they cause posture problems. "Over-weight bags strapped on one shoulder increase chances of you tilting to one side. This affects your gait and walking around with that unnatural tilt might lead to back and shoulder pain in the long run. Moreover, it affects your overall posture and strains the shoulder blade," says Dr Rangwala. Damage Control: Keep alternating the bag between your shoulders, so that one shoulder doesn't bear the brunt. Also, try to go for bags with a wider strap so that the weight is distributed over a wider area of the shoulder. Most importantly, remind yourself that every small thing you put in to the bag contributes to the overall burden. So, think twice before you dump your stuff in. If you can't reduce the burden, go for a two-shoulder backpack.