A “bad fit” doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to slip the shoe onto your foot. It could mean that the toe box is too close to the tips of your toes, the heel notch is digging into your skin, or the top is pressing into the bridge of the foot. If you don’t notice these discomforts, here are some warning signs that your shoes are too small:
Blisters
Unless they are caused by a sunburn, an infection or an allergy, foot blisters are caused by friction from the shoe material repeatedly rubbing against your skin. If you’ve noticed the fluid-filled pockets appearing on your feet, your shoes are probably too small.
Bruised Toenails
Toenail bruises come from impact. The impact could be stubbing your toe on a step. Or the impact could be knocking your toenails on the edge of the toe box over and over — this is why runners often have bruised toenails.
The blood trapped under the nail makes it change colour. The nail goes from red to brown to purple and then black. It will stay that colour until it grows out after 6 to 9 months or until the nail falls off.
Hot Foot
You may recognize a sensation commonly called hot foot, where your feet are incredibly hot after going for a walk or finishing a workout. Friction from too-tight shoes will make your feet swell and feel like they’re burning.
Calluses
A foot callus is a rough and dry patch of skin on the sole. When the area is dealing with too much friction or pressure, the skin thickens and develops a callus.
Normally, you can try to get rid of your callus by doing a foot soak and removing the dry skin with a callus shaver. If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, you should make an appointment with a chiropodist for foot callus removal because you don’t want to risk a foot infection.
Corns
Corns are similar to calluses. They are hardened, raised bumps that form because of too much friction or pressure on the area. They tend to appear on top or between toes. They can be painful to the touch. You can make an appointment with the experts at Feet First clinic to undergo a safe and effective corn removal procedure.
If your shoes don’t fit properly, you shouldn’t wear them. You should get a new pair of shoes as soon as possible. When you’re buying a replacement pair, you should follow these steps to guarantee a proper shoe fit:
- Have your feet measured to determine the accurate size.
- Try on the shoe with the laces tied up.
- Walk around in the shoes to test if your heel slips, your toes hit the toe box or the material pinches.
Consider getting custom orthotics to give your feet additional comfort and support. These specialized accessories will help counteract the effects of standing all day and walking all day, like soreness, calluses and corns.
Whatever you do, don’t ascribe to the mentality of breaking in your shoes. The method is reserved for leather dress shoes, which can be stretched to prevent any aches and pains. It was never meant for running shoes, sneakers or sandals.
If your shoe doesn’t fit properly in the store, it won’t fit when you get home. Don’t bear through discomfort in hopes that your footwear will eventually mold to your feet. Getting the right size and fit should be your number one priority.
