BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- They are cool, they are comfortable, and many people flip for the footwear this time of year.

Melinda Parham said she practically lives in her flip flops.

"Every day, any time I go anywhere outside. The only time I don't I think is when I go to church. No, I do, but nicer flip flops," said Parham.

Dr. John Etcheverry, a podiatrist at the Foot & Ankle Institute, said wearing the summertime footwear daily may cause foot problems that can take months or even years to heal.

"You're basically lacking that support and really relying on your muscles and tendons of the foot. Then you are going to be really more susceptible for an injury when you do that all day every day," said Etcheverry.

And with so many brands on the market, are all flip flops created equal?

"The$10 pair you're going to buy at a drugstore with a plastic strap is really probably the worst one there is," said Etcheverry.

The worst because they offer very little arch and heel support, which can lead to a very painful inflammatory condition called plantar fasciitis.

"There's a ligament on the bottom of the foot that runs from the toe to the heel, called the plantar facia. And when you have a lot of repetitive trauma to the heel, it gets inflamed where it attaches to the bone," said Etcheverry.

So does this mean you should ditch your flip flops completely? Etcheverry said no, there are several sandals on the market that offer support. Such as the Ortho Heel, which can be found at the Good Feet Store in the southwest.

"They have support built in to them, and it also has a cup for the heel back here so it supports your arches in your feet," said Tony Fox, manager of Good Feet Store.

But if you don't want to invest in a new pair, Fox said you don't have to. The store can fit you for an arch support that that can be worn in any sandal you own.