Foot Problems from Fall Shoes

As styles transition from sandals and open shoe styles to more traditional closed in shoes for fall, we at Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle expect to start seeing more patients at our Hudson office (727-868-2128 or 352-683-5799) with certain foot complaints. Below are some of the more common issues we begin to see at this time of the year.

Bunion/Hammertoe Irritation—if you succeeded in finding summer shoes that left bunions and hammertoes friction-free, going back to closed styles may cause considerable pain. Remember, these types of toe deformities are progressive conditions, getting worse over time. It may be time to have our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales, evaluate your bunions or hammertoes and possibly modify your treatment plan.

Ingrown Toenails—another negative about closed-toe shoes is the increased risk of ingrown toenails that comes when toes spend significant time up against one another. Choose styles with roomy, wide fronts. Inspect toes periodically, and if you feel any pain or irritation, check to see if a nail is starting to grow back into the nail bed. Soak in warm water several times a day and then gently massage the nail out of the skin. Don’t use any sharp instruments to try to dig out the nail!

Neuromas—sometimes, more structured shoe styles will put pressure on a nerve resulting in a neuroma. These are characterized by pain, tingling, or numbness. If this happens to you, consider getting your feet professionally measured to see if you’ve gone up a size. It is not uncommon as you age, yet many people continue to wear the size they’ve always been wearing, leading to foot pain.

Fungal Infections—closed in shoes tend to be dark, warm, and moist—the perfect breeding ground for fungus! It’s best to have more than one pair of shoes to switch off with to allow time for each pair to air out after you wear them. You can also spray inside your shoes with disinfectant. Be sure not to allow feet to sit in damp socks, even it means changing a few times during the day.

If the fall season finds you in foot or ankle discomfort, contact us for an appointment at your earliest convenience.