Every day, we make many small choices that go on to impact our overall health. Over time, these little things can have a significant impact on your feet’s health.
By making decisions that stress your feet, podiatrist Thomas Rambacher, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA, of Podiatry Hotline Foot & Ankle in Mission Viejo, California, warns you that you can put yourself at risk long-term of foot and ankle injuries and chronic conditions. Read on to learn what everyday habits could be harming your feet.
The shoes you wear offer important support and protection for your feet. The right pair of shoes fits you correctly and properly supports you during your chosen activity.
The wrong footwear choice can cause you to injure yourself, develop chronic conditions, and even exacerbate already existing problems. Conditions that can be caused entirely by bad shoes include:
It’s time to evaluate if you’re making any of these shoe errors:
High heels and shoes that squeeze your toe box are hard to walk in or wear for any length of time. They’re a common culprit of conditions like bunions, neuromas, calluses, corns, and injuries.
When you need to wear high or tight shoes, stick to low heels and wear them for short periods. Go to and from the event in a more comfortable and supportive pair, and change into them mid-event if needed.
Aging, weight changes, pregnancy, and hormones can all cause your shoe size to change over time. To avoid uncomfortable, unsupportive shoes, get a proper fit regularly, and remember that some shoes can run small or large.
Many fashion shoes, high-heeled shoes, and flip flops give your arch no support and give your foot no padding or protection. Stick to shoes that support your feet unless you’re wearing the shoes for brief periods. This is especially important if you’re doing a sport or athletics.
If you have a chronic condition like plantar fasciitis, bunions, flat feet, or diabetes, you might need special shoes or medical-grade custom orthotics to keep your feet comfortable and safe.
Wearing supportive shoes nearly all of the time is important, even when you’re relaxing at home. Going barefoot for long periods can cause foot pain and chronic conditions such as plantar fasciitis. Being barefoot outdoors puts you at risk for cuts, blisters, and bites.
Just like you brush your teeth regularly, your feet need regular care. Clean and gently pat your feet dry with warm soap and water daily to reduce your risk of cuts and infections.
To avoid fungal infections, you also need to avoid damp, communal spaces, like communal showers, poolside, and locker rooms, or wear rubber shoes all the time when you use them. Don’t share hygiene items, such as towels, with others.
If you go to a salon for pedicures, ensure they’re properly licensed and have high safety standards to avoid getting infected there.
When you wear shoes, you should always wear socks to wick moisture. Wear different socks and shoes each day, and change them sooner if your feet get sweaty or wet.
Cutting your toenails wrong can leave you vulnerable to painful ingrown toenails and infections. To prevent ingrown toenails, clip your nails regularly in a straight line. Avoid touching the cuticles. Ensure you or your salon uses sterilized nail trimmers.
Pain, swelling, redness, and general discomfort in your feet and ankles are signs that something is wrong. If it doesn’t go away quickly, make an appointment with our team to get it evaluated promptly.
Ignoring symptoms at best leads to foot discomfort that could be prevented, and it can cause your condition to get much worse and harder to treat. By seeing our team soon after problems start, we can get you diagnosed and started on treatment right away.
Contact us for efficient, supportive treatment of any foot and ankle problem.
