Wearing high heels can cause blisters, calluses, hammertoes, bunions, toenail fungus, stress fractures, joint pain, and back problems. It’s best to wear them only when necessary and switch to comfortable shoes for the rest of the day. Properly fitting shoes can also reduce problems.
There are many documented problems caused by wearing high heels. Some of these are minor, occurring only with occasional wear and tear, but others can be more serious and require treatment, especially as women get older.
One of the most common problems of people who wear high heels is blisters on their feet. This occurs when the shoe rubs the foot the wrong way, pushes two toes together, or otherwise squeezes the toes. Some blisters can be reduced by making sure your shoes fit properly. New high heels should be worn with bandages on the toes and heel until the shoe breaks down. People can also try moleskin or other padding to stop new shoe blisters before they occur.
When a shoe that causes blisters or soreness is ignored, a person may get calluses. These are a common and minor problem often caused by wearing high heels. A tight toe in a shoe, feet pushed forward in the toe, and friction between the foot and the shoe can lead to painful calluses. The feet may also become thickly calloused.
Tight toes and downward sloping foot are often the reason for the problems caused by wearing high heels. When the foot is stuck in the shoe, the wearer can experience not only blisters and calluses, but also problems with hammertoes, bunions and toenail fungus. Other problems can affect the structure of the foot and the rest of the body.
Keeping your feet in an elevated position for many hours of the day sometimes creates a shortened Achilles tendon. This shortening can make wearing lower shoes less comfortable or nearly impossible. If a person feels uncomfortable wearing lower shoes, he may want to periodically lower the height of his heels. This may mean that he gradually tackles the problem without causing major foot discomfort and that he gets a new pair of shoes every month. He can also help you walk barefoot at home.
Other problems caused by wearing high heels include the following:
Stress fractures: Cracks or breaks in bones, more common as people get older.
Twisted/sprained/broken ankles — twisting one foot while wearing a high-heeled shoe.
Pump Bump – an enlargement of the back of the heel causing it to stick out and be red or swollen.
Joint pain – especially in the toes and balls of the feet, the joint can become chronically irritated, and this gets worse when the heels are worn continuously.
Neuroma: Growth of tissue under the toes that causes extreme pain.
Back problems: These can be related to wearing high heels and poor postural alignment.
With so many potential problems, it’s a good idea for people to choose to wear heels only occasionally or to wear them only when they’re needed, such as in an office setting. However, casual use, or even daily use, is unlikely to cause many problems if people only use their shoes for work or play and then switch to a more comfortable and supportive shoe for the rest of the day. Problems can also be reduced by purchasing shoes that fit properly and have adequate room in the toe.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
