Your choice of footwear plays a crucial role in the health of your feet. Wearing shoes that are ill-fitting or inappropriate for your foot shape and size can lead to a variety of painful foot problems. Here are six common issues caused by wrong footwear:
-
Ingrown Toenails:
Tight shoes in the toe box can cause toenails to grow into the surrounding skin, leading to inflammation, swelling, and tenderness. To prevent ingrown toenails, wear shoes with a wide toe box and trim your nails straight across.
-
Blisters:
Friction from ill-fitted footwear can cause blisters, which are small bubbles filled with clear serum. Blisters can become infected, so it's important to clean and bandage them promptly.
-
Corns:
Corns are a type of callus that develops when tight shoes put constant pressure on the skin. They can be painful and uncomfortable.
-
Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis):
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain, especially in the morning. It can be exacerbated by wearing shoes that don't provide proper support or fit poorly.
-
Bunions:
Bunions are bumps that form at the base of the big toe, causing pain and discomfort. They can be aggravated by wearing narrow or pointy shoes.
-
Hammertoe:
Hammertoe is a condition where the joints in the toes bend abnormally, causing them to rub against the inside of the shoe and leading to pain. It can be treated by wearing more comfortable footwear with a wide toe box and using toe splints.
