Properly-fitting footwear should have little or no negative impact on our health. Poorly chosen and incorrectly-fitting footwear can harm our feet. If footwear is incorrect, short-term problems can become long-term and create a reluctance to pursue activities such as walking. Today, Dr. Hubert Lee of CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists is discussing some issues that may be caused by poorly-fitting shoes.
Corns: Corns are a lump of dead, hard skin that occurs over a bony bump, like a joint. In many cases, they are caused by sustained pressure to the specific area, typically from poorly fitting footwear. Loose shoes can cause your foot to rub and slide and cause corns.
Nail problems: Wearing socks with shoes that don’t fit properly and are too tight puts too much pressure on the sides of the toes and can push the skin into the nail plate, causing an ingrown toenail. Avoid wearing tight footwear and hosiery that can cause damage to the toenail through recurring trauma. This can also create a moist environment in which toenail fungus can occur.
Athlete’s foot: This condition is caused by a fungal species that live on the skin. It causes inflammation, flaking of the skin, and intense itching. The condition is simultaneously uncomfortable, unsightly, and extremely contagious. Wear light, breathable shoes that won’t lock in moisture or overheat your feet. If possible, try alternating the shoes you wear to give each pair a chance to dry out between uses thoroughly.
Collapsed arches: Fallen arches, more commonly known as flat feet, occurs when a person’s feet have no or low arches and, therefore, they press flat against the ground. This typically happens when there is tightness in the Achilles tendon and the muscles at the back of the leg when walking.
Preventative Steps
The answer to avoiding these problems in both the long and short term is quite simple. Be mindful of the footwear you buy, and how often you wear a particular style. A change in footwear will encourage and enable you to walk farther and for more extended periods, leading to a healthier lifestyle.
If you’re experiencing any issues with your feet, or want to be sure you’re wearing properly-fitting footwear, contact the office of Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists to schedule a consultation. Call our office today at (425) 455-0936 to book your visit or schedule an appointment online.
