When it comes to footwear, wearing ill-fitted shoes is never a good idea for your long-term health. Your feet are what keep you grounded, and so when you have bad footwear on your feet, that’s going to lead to problems further down the line for your feet.
From high heels to worn-out, unsupportive footwear, damage to foot health over time can result in structural deformities and instabilities.
Let’s take a look at how bad footwear can damage foot health over time and what types of problematic footwear exist for your feet.
Long-term consequences of bad footwear
Bad footwear can often result in long-term consequences, and the impact that bad footwear can have can be pretty significant.
Structural deformities
Narrow-toed shoes, such as heels or pointed shoes, will often squeeze toes, and that can lead to bunions and hammertoes as a result. It also means any shoes aren’t going to last long with those on your feet.
Chronic pain and conditions
The lack of arch support that comes from some shoes, like flat, thin-soled shoes, often causes plantar fasciitis, which can be painful.
Skin and nail issues
Tight shoes that cause friction can result in your feet having corns, calluses, and even ingrown toenails, which can be a problem in itself.
Muscle weakness and injury
Overly flexible and worn-out shoes will often force your muscles and ligaments to overwork, which causes chronic strain. That can also weaken the foot’s structure if you’re not careful. You must see a podiatrist whenever you have any problems with your foot health in general.
Compromised stability
Inadequate, slippery, or ill-fitted shoes will often increase the risk of falls and injuries, especially in older adults, if you’re not careful.
Circulatory problems
When there are tight and restrictive shoes on your feet, over time, it can limit the blood flow to your foot and toes. This can cause numbness, as well as lead to serious circulation issues.
Types of problematic footwear
There are a number of problematic footwear options to avoid. These include the following:
- High heels
- Thin-soled/flat shoes
- Narrow/pointed shoes
- Worn-out shoes
How to protect foot health
In order to protect your foot health, there are several tips that you can embrace and implement into your routine.
Firstly, make sure you’re keeping on top of the hygiene of your feet, washing them daily and drying them thoroughly to prevent fungal growth.
Be sure to moisturise and look after toenails by cutting the nails straight and not too short. Use a pumice stone for any hard skin.
The right footwear is important, so choose the right shoes and avoid going barefoot where possible to prevent injuries and conditions like athlete’s foot. Avoid high heels and make sure you’re checking your feet regularly for any blisters, cuts, or infections.
Where it’s necessary, see a professional. Bad footwear can be just one of the main causes of damage to foot health over the years, so be wary of what you put on your feet.
