7 Foot Problems Caused Ill-Fitting Shoes

Your feet carry all your body weight. They experience heavy loads and overcome long distances every day. For this reason, your feet are especially susceptible to the development of different conditions. But even knowing this information, people aggravate the stress caused to the feet by wearing ill-fitting shoes. Doing this can take a toll on the health of your feet and lead to the development of painful conditions.

Below are 7 foot conditions that can be caused by wearing tight and ill-fitting shoes. 

1. Bunions

Tight-fitting shoes can cause a condition called bunions. A bunion is a deformity of the joint at the base of the big toe that looks like a bump. It forms when the tight shoes press your big toe too much. Apart from deformity, the bunion causes symptoms like pain, swelling, redness, and a limited range of motions in the big toe. An untreated bunion can lead to the development of bursitis and arthritis of the affected joint. 

2. Ingrown nails

An ingrown toenail is a common health concern for people who wear ill-fitting shoes. This issue occurs when your toenail grows into the skin surrounding this nail. When your shoes are tight, your nail doesn’t have any space. As a result, the nail is forced to grow into the soft tissues around it. An ingrown toenail often causes symptoms like pain, redness, and swelling of the affected site. An ingrown toenail also increases your risk of infection. 

3. Athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot is a common feet skin infection caused by an overgrowth of fungal infection. This disease is commonly associated with walking barefoot, but tight-fitting shoes can also contribute to the development of an athlete's foot. If you wear tight shoes, the skin of your feet cannot breathe and start sweating. This creates a perfect environment for the breeding of bacteria, which leads to infections. The symptoms of an athlete's foot usually includes an unpleasant smell, itching, redness, and peeling skin. 

4. Blisters

Blisters are probably the most common feet issue. They occur because of friction that occurs between your shoe and foot skin, thereby irritating it. To prevent damage to the deeper layers of the skin, fluid collects between the upper layers of skin. This fluid cushions and prevents further damage. This allows the skin to heal and prevents infections. If the blister has popped, be sure to clean and bandage it regularly. Otherwise, the blister can get infected. 

5. Peripheral neuropathy

While diabetes is the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy, tight-fitting shoes can also lead to this condition. Because of pressure and foot deformation, nerve damage may occur. Peripheral neuropathy can cause stabbing, burning, or tingling pain in the foot. The foot may become sensitive to touch. If you have this condition, it is important to visit the best foot doctor to get qualified medical help. 

6. Heel pain

Wearing tight shoes can cause a foot condition called plantar fasciitis. This condition leads to inflammation of the tissue that connects your heel bone to the toes. Plantar fasciitis causes intense pain that occurs with your first morning steps. The pain usually decreases when you start moving your feet. Wearing well-fitting shoes or orthotics often helps to ease pain and heal plantar fasciitis. 

7. Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot joint condition. It usually affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, and fifth toes. When you wear tight-fitting shoes, it puts pressure on your toes. Over time, this leads to abnormal bending of the toes called hammertoes. This condition develops gradually. Hammertoe usually causes pain, redness, inflammation, and contracture of the toe. Besides, hammertoe increases your risk of getting corns and calluses. In severe cases, hammertoe can lead to the development of open sores. This puts your feet at risk of skin infections.