You may have bought shoes that did not fit your foot size, especially if you bought them online. Sometimes, the offered size does not match the actual size of your foot, which can be either too small or too big. As a result, wearing them can cause discomfort and may even lead to health problems. Please read on for more details.
Health risks of wearing shoes that are too big
Research has found that wearing shoes that are not the right size can bring health risks, such as:
Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is defined as nerve injury that occurs outside of the brain and spinal cord. This injury produces weakness, numbness, and discomfort, particularly in the hands and feet. This disorder can sometimes interfere with bodily functions like digestion, urine, and blood circulation.
People with peripheral neuropathy frequently experience tingling, numbness, pain, sensitivity to touch, and pain with exercise in their feet and hands. Peripheral neuropathy also causes a lack of coordination and an increased risk of falling.
Read more: Peripheral Neuropathy - Definition, Cause, Symptom, And Laksana AI Care (ai-care.id)
Ingrown toenail
Ingrown nails are also known as canker sores. Ingrown nails are more likely in people with diabetes, poor blood circulation, nerve and muscle damage, or foot infections. Infections in the feet might occur when the shoes are too small.
Calluses
The layer of skin that rubs against the shoe may harden and thicken as a self-protective reaction to friction and pressure. This condition is more commonly known as calluses. Calluses often form on feet and toes that rub against shoes, especially if the shoes are too small.
Metatarsalgia
Metatarsalgia is a common injury that causes pain and inflammation in the metatarsals (soles of the feet). This condition is common among runners, athletes, people who play high-impact sports, spend much time barefoot, or wear ill-fitting shoes.
Injury of the toe
People who use oversized shoes or are too narrow are at risk of falling which causes injuries to the toe. The injuries can vary, ranging from minor to broken injuries or loss of toeprints.
Read more: Choose The Wrong Shoes Can Cause Back Pain AI Care (ai-care.id)
Tips for choosing the correct shoe size
To avoid the risk of injury, Wear shoes of the proper size. Make sure to measure your feet every time you buy shoes. Determining shoe size is about the sole's length and the foot arch's width and length.
Measuring the correct foot should be done in a standing position so that the size and shape of the foot are known precisely. Make sure to stand up straight by looking straight ahead so that the body weight is completely centered on the feet.
If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or use the consultation features available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
Looking for information about tips and health tricks, first aid, and home remissions? Click here!
- dr. Yuliana Inosensia
Terence Vanderheiden, DPM (2022). Why It's Important to Wear the Right Shoe Size. Available from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/do-people-wear-correct-size-shoes-1337769.
Mayo Clinic (2022). Peripheral neuropathy. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061.
Cleveland Clinic (2020). Ingrown Toenails. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17664-ingrown-toenails.
Mayo Clinic (2022). Corns and calluses. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/corns-and-calluses/symptoms-causes/syc-20355946.
Cleveland Clinic (2019). Metatarsalgia. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15890-metatarsalgia.
Terence Vanderheiden, DPM (2022). How to Find Shoes That Fit Your Toes. Available from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-find-shoes-that-fit-1337774.
