By W. Frank Slade
A staggering 75% of American women can expect to suffer from some type of foot pain during their lifetime. Failure to wear wide shoes is a contributing factor to the foot problems they continue to endure for the sake of fashion. Podiatrists already know that wearing shoes that are too narrow or walking in high heels for long periods can lead to orthopedic based foot pain and possibly even knee or back injuries. But, solutions are available to avoid these abusive side effects.
It's interesting that when asked, women openly admit that narrow, stylish shoes make their feet hurt. They acknowledge that wearing stilettos with heels too high is a problem for them. But they continue to dress to be fashionable rather than practical. Actually, we can understand such thinking because we also admire the look and style of a beautiful pair of women's shoes. So what can we do to help alleviate the problem?
First, women should stay away from shoes with pointy toes. This is one reason why wide width shoes are suggested. Here we are speaking of footwear with a wide toe box. This tip alone can help prevent calluses and corns which form around your toes, especially the little toe. Calluses can also appear on the bottom of women's feet. Wide toed shoes can do their part in eliminating bunions and bunionettes. Bunion shields are another possible treatment if you suffer from this condition.
In general, shopping for trendy boots, sandals or shoes that fit your foot correctly may be the ideal remedy to avoiding most problems with ladies feet. A good fit should lead you to a firm sole and a soft, supple upper that feels comfortable almost from the moment you slip your foot into your new shoes. Did you know that you should wear test your footwear late in the day? It's true. After you've been walking for most of the day, your feet will naturally swell to a slightly larger, wider size. This is the time when you want to wear test a brand new pair of shoes. If they feel comfortable now, then you can usually be assured of having a good fit.
Another way to relieve foot pain is to reduce the amount of time you actually wear your high heels. Alternate the wearing of heels with a pair of quality flats or other women's wide shoes. This way you can still enjoy your new stilettos without injuring yourself. By varying the size of the heels, you can help ensure your feet will remain healthy. You might want to shop for some comfy, walking pumps. These performance pumps are great for work or maybe a casual, social event.
A third way to avoid potential problems with your feet is to consider the hosiery that you wear. Since nylon traps your body heat, excess perspiration is generated which is a perfect place for athlete's foot to form. Even your dress boots can create the type of damp area around your foot leading to fungal infections. Avoid cheaper brands of nylon pantyhose. They tend to be more constrictive to women's feet when walking. When constricted too much, the toes can be pulled backwards and over time the whole process could produce hammertoes and ingrown toenails. Buy more expensive nylons in order to get a better fit and help protect your feet.
If a woman is diligent about shopping for shoes with the correct fit, looking for wide widths and remembers to purchase quality nylon pantyhose, she has taken three important steps to protecting her feet. You see, it is possible for women to care for their feet and still be seen wearing those stylish new shoes.
W. Frank Slade is an accomplished writer and author for several web sites spanning a variety of subjects. His current articles on women's wide shoes have been published on numerous online sites and he is a contributing writer for www.womensfullwidthshoes.com/womens-wide-width-shoes.html.