While it may seem like common sense to find a great, supportive pair of shoes you love, and with that, wear them nonstop, this isn't doing your feet any favors. According to foot surgeon Jackie Sutera, wearing the same shoes day in and day out which can cause foot fatigue because you are constantly using the same areas of the foot for support and walking. Keep a few pairs of comfortable shoes and rotate them throughout the week.
2. Your shoes are too old
While breaking in new shoes may be a drag, having shoes that are too old will mess up your gait, causing pain. Dr. Sutera says, “When shoes are old and worn out, they will tilt your feet, forcing you to strike the ground in an awkward way,” adding that, “even the slightest angle can hurt your feet and cause back and hip pain.” As a rule of thumb bear the following in mind, replace the shoes you wear daily, this includes your running shoes, every six months. For other shoes keep an eye on the soles and replace or re-sole them when you notice that the support is getting low.
While ballet flats and sneakers or flipflops may seem like a comfortable option, they don't provide good arch support. This means that if you wear such shoes on your walk to work Monday through Friday you are putting your feet at risk for bunions, hammertoes, and a collapsed arch.
4. Your toenails are cut funnily
If your toenails are cut too short or they are rounded it can result in ingrown nails. The nail starts to grow into the skin causing discomfort. Shoes can also irritate the situation more by rubbing or squeezing the feet together. The best option would be to make sure that the nails are cut straight as this would avoid the development of any ingrown nails.
Gym sneakers are not a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to exercising and sports. Dr. Sutera says “There is a lot of technology that goes into the design of sneakers,” adding that “Each activity has specific qualities necessary for the correct shoe. For example, running and walking shoes are made for straight-ahead motion, while basketball and tennis shoes are made for side-to-side movements.”
6. You always carry your bag on the same side
Do you constantly carry a briefcase or heavy purse on one side? Then you are likely creating a shift in weight that causes tendinitis, as well as neck and back pain. So be sure to alternate the side you carry things on or carry two smaller bags to help distribute the weight more evenly.
If you have dry skin on the bottom of your feet it may eventually lead to skin fissures. But over time they may worsen or could lead to infection. A great way to go about it is to use a pumice stone in the shower and to regularly moisturize to keep your feet healthy. If your feet are scaly then you may have a fungal infection. In which case, the best way to get rid of scales is with antifungal cream.
8. You exercise in bare feet too much
While there are times where working out with no shoes can't be avoided, such as yoga and Pilates, make sure that you have enough variety in your routine. Dr. Sutera says “People who do the same barefoot workout several times a week may experience tendon pain, heel pain, and even joint pain.” To save yourself from more pain, make sure you incorporate a mix of sneaker-wearing workouts and low-impact barefoot exercises.
