Seasonal changes can be difficult on peoples’ feet… especially women. As the summer turns to fall, many women change their footwear from open toed shoes and flip flops to something more appropriate and suiting for colder weather. These fall and winter “appropriate” shoes are many times much tighter than their spring and summer counterparts which can often cause pain if you have foot conditions such as bunions or hammertoe. When deciding on footwear this fall and winter, consider a few things below to keep your feet warm, comfortable and pain free. But before, let us help clarify what a bunion and hammertoe actually is.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. It occurs when some of the bones in the front part of your foot move out of place. This causes the tip of your big toe to get pulled toward the smaller toes and forces the joint at the base of your big toe to stick out. The skin over the bunion might be red and sore.”
They continue by stating that, “Wearing tight, narrow shoes might cause bunions or make them worse. Bunions can also develop as a result of the shape of your foot, a foot deformity or a medical condition, such as arthritis.”
In contrast, according to Cleveland Clinic, hammertoe “is a term for progressive symptoms and joint changes that involve one or more of your toes. A hammertoe is a joint on your toe that points up instead of lying flat. This deformity happens because muscles in your foot or leg get weak and the tendons to your toe pull abnormally. You might find that you also have a corn or callus on top of your deformed toe, which may be painful. Eventually, you may be unable to move the affected toe.”
Now that we understand the difference between the two, it’s important to recognize that the pain from both of these conditions can cause undue stress and discomfort to the feet especially in women while wearing tight fitted, closed-toed shoes or high heels. So, here are the few tips we suggest to help reduce the tenderness and irritation that bunions and hammertoes can cause.
- Don’t force your foot into a shoe that is too tight or doesn’t fit correctly. In many cases of bunions or hammertoe, it could occur on only one foot meaning a different size shoe may be needed to help comfortably wear them on a daily basis
- Be sure to choose a shoe that complements your foots style. Meaning that selecting a shoe that conforms to the shape of your feet including the sole, instep and width is important to having a comfortable experience throughout the day.
- Shoes with pointed toes, those that are tight conforming or that have heels higher than 2 – 2/12 inches can put pressure on the tender areas of your feet. Try to pick footwear with wide toe boxes to help alleviate pain.
No matter what shoes, heels, boots or other footwear you choose, there is still a chance that your foot irritation and pain may continue. In those cases, it’s important to seek out professional treatment from a licensed podiatrist. They can help diagnose your condition and come up with a game plan to keep your feet comfortable throughout the seasonal changes of footwear. Finally, remember to keep your feet warm and dry this season and… happy walking!