There are three main reasons we wear shoes. Shoes protect our feet; they enable us to walk or run on rough surfaces and provide comfort when we have to be on our feet for long periods. If you choose the right kind of shoes, then you will have no health problems caused by the footwear. As such, when you are choosing shoes, ensure you have chosen those that have the right grip and have fastenings. When you choose the wrong kind of footwear, you may suffer short-term problems as well as long-term ones. You can visit brisonhealth.com to find out how to ease or even eliminate the foot problems.
Some of the shoes that could cause you problems are those with high heels, those with poor grip, and those that do not have fastenings or have inappropriate ones. These can result in impaired walking, lack of balance, and subsequent falls or even bring about foot constrictions. All these shortcomings could lead to short-term foot problems such as numbness, and paresthesia, a feeling of prickling of pins and needles.
Diseases Caused by The Wrong Footwear
We all love the trendy type of shoes. They add to our self-esteem and define us. Women love shoes that have high heels, stilettos, peep toes, tight-fitting and narrow shoes. Men also have a variety of trendy shoes that they love to wear. The unfortunate thing with some of these trendy shoes is that they are not comfortable to wear and therefore have a grim downside. These bring about many foot problems. Walking and running on these kinds of shoes can put lots of pressure on the feet, therefore end up disfiguring the feet.
Other than the above problems, these uncomfortable shoes cause foot diseases. Here are such diseases:
1. Blisters
If you have been actively running or working in the fields you have likely had blisters. When you walk or stand for a long time with sweaty feet, you are likely to suffer blisters. This is because of the friction caused when the feet rub against the shoes. It causes pockets that are full of fluid. These can be painful and annoying when they are broken. You can use a band-aid to cover these blisters when you have shoes on. Wrong footwear is the cause of blisters. This can be avoided when one wears the right kind of shoes. You should gradually break in your shoes. Another remedy for blisters is avoiding walking in wet shoes.
2. Athlete’s foot
This is another common foot problem that is caused by not wearing shoes. It is still a footwear problem! We catch this disease when the feet catch a fungus from wet places. Public showers and pools are the best places for the breeding of this fungus. To treat this problem, visit your drug store or a general practitioner. Over-the-counter treatment is sufficient to clear this annoying condition. To avoid this problem, always wear rubber sandals when in a public shower. Any kind of shoes can help you avoid this condition while you are walking in public.
3. Bunions
A bunion can be defined as a bump on one or two of the big toes. This bump causes inflammation and pain. Even though this problem can be hereditary, sometimes it comes as a result of wearing shoes that are not properly fitting. A common culprit of this condition is high-heeled shoes. To avoid this condition, avoid high-heeled shoes or any kind of shoes that make your feet uncomfortable.
4. Corns
This is another common condition that is caused by wearing the wrong footwear. Corns can be defined as circular thickened skin that comes about after repeated instances of blisters. When this condition develops, there is additional irritation. However, corns are not always painful though they are not good for the feet. To avoid this condition, you have to wear proper shoes so you do not develop bunions and blisters.
5. Plantar fasciitis
This condition can be defined as pain felt in the middle of the foot at the bottom of the heel. This condition is a result of the plantar fascia ligament being strained due to wearing the wrong kind of shoes. This condition may not require surgery to treat but can be uncomfortable in the long run. You can ease the pain through icing or medication. You can also use orthotics to ease the pain. Being overweight can also result in this condition. As such, apart from wearing the right shoes, you may have to adjust your lifestyle so you lose weight.
6. Hammertoe
Also known as mallet toe, hammertoe is a condition where the toe curves downwards instead of upward. Though this condition can sometimes be hereditary or results from other problems of the foot, it can be classified as a condition caused by bad footwear. To avoid this problem, wear the right fitting shoes and consider foot cushions and inserts in your shoes.
Tips to Choose the Right Kind of Comfortable Shoes
Now that we have said one should wear the right kind of shoes to avoid the above diseases, what are some of the things you should look out for when buying shoes? Well, here are tips to help you:
- Trace your foot on a piece of paper. Place any shoe you want to buy on the tracing. Buy shoes that fit the tracing.
- Shop for your shoes in the afternoon because feet expand during the day.
- Stand in the shoes you want to buy. You should have at least half an inch of space between the end of the shoe and your longest toe.
- To determine the comfort of the shoes, walk in them. Find shoes that fit you from the beginning.
- Consider the length and the width of the shoes. The shoes should fit in all directions, whether wide, long, leather fitting and so on.
- Ensure the soles are sturdy enough to protect the feet from sharp objects. Is there any cushioning? Walk on a hard surface as well as on a carpet to ensure the comfort of the shoes.
In conclusion, if you are not sure about the right kind of shoes comfortable and healthy for walking in, you can visit a podiatrist for better advice and guidance.