Top 3 Ways You Mistreat Your Toes

Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, but often left off the list of things appreciated are your toes! Sure, you’re grateful for family and good health, but don’t you think it’s time you showed your toes some love, too? After all, they help you stand taller and jump higher, yet rather than being doted on, these digits are mistreated on a daily basis! Here are the top 3 ways you could be mistreating your toes without even knowing it:

1. Wearing shoes that don’t fit well. Those pointy-toed boots are super cute, but could be wreaking havoc on your toes. High heels might not hamper your style, but they can certainly hinder your toe health. Shoes that are too narrow or tight can put pressure on places causing a plethora of piggy problems. Footwear faux pas like these can lead to painful ingrown toenails, an aggravated bunion, hammertoes, corns, and black toenails.

Solution: Make sure shoes fit (and save the stilettos for special occasions).

2. Wearing the wrong shoes for what you do. You wouldn’t go for a run in a ballerina slipper, nor would you head out for a hike in high heels. Wearing a shoe that’s inappropriate for the activity is asking for problems like a broken toe, turf toe (sprain), nerve issues, or even the onset of arthritis from an injury.

Solution: Get the right cleats, boots, or shoes for the activity you plan to do!

3. Wearing no shoes at all. Fungal toenails and athlete’s foot can find your toes if you bare them in places like locker rooms, gym showers, and public saunas and pools.

Solution: Two words: shower shoes!

Can you believe a poor choice of footwear (or lack thereof) can be to blame for so many toe tribulations? It’s true!