Women's Feet...

What is the correct shoe shape for my feet?

We need to remember that feet came before shoes - so the first consideration is to match the shape of the shoe to the shape of your foot. Check toe lengths - if your second toe is the longer one, then a peep toe style may suit you better. The longest toe (not necessarily the big toe) sets your foot length. The cascading shape formed by the different lengths of your toes is what decides the front profile or shape of your foot.

How do I know my shoes are the correct shape?

The cascading shape formed by the different lengths of your toes is what decides the front profile or shape of your foot. If the first three toes are almost the same length, you may have a square shaped foot and should not look at pointed styles. Very few people have a pointy foot shape. The typical foot shape is spatular and oblique in front. This foot shape needs squared toe shoe shapes.

What’s the best style of shoe to care for my feet?

Strictly speaking, there are only two places that a shoe should grip on the foot - across the instep and behind the heel. Styles that incorporate this are the ones that tire out the foot the least. Open backed low cut shoes will tire out the foot more because they force you (subconsciously) to use more muscle energy to grip with your toes to keep them on.

Is it okay to wear synthetic plastic shoes?

No, leather is best because it breathes and eases its shape to the foot like no artificial fabric yet invented. Remember that a new leather shoe will ease its shape to your foot in a process properly called “mulling”. Mulling happens due to the foot’s warmth, moisture and motion. Soft leather will mull or ease its shape more than hard leather.

What can happen if I don’t wear leather shoes?

Avoid using closed shoes made of plastic or lined with plastic - these will increase the temperature inside your shoe as well as the perspiration level - making this an ideal environment for both fungal infections and wet corns caused by pressure and friction as your foot slightly slides around in the shoe.

Is it okay to wear the same pair of comfortable shoes every day?

The average woman perspires 250ml from her feet in a single day. Leather can absorb a large amount of moisture without visibly showing it. For good care of leather shoes, you must allow a full 24 hours for natural drying before using them again. Never dry leather shoes in an oven or in front of a heater. Shoe “trees” (spring forms) or scrunched paper inside helps maintain the shape and structural integrity of quality leather shoes.

Is it okay to wear high heels?

Heel heights have to be appropriate for how long you wear them. If you’re on your feet all day, then it can be devastating to foot structure in the long term to wear 60mm or 4-inch heels on a regular daily basis. Damage to feet may take years to show up, for example, in the form of hammertoes or bunions. Make an informed choice and wear high heels for short periods, and not frequently.

What’s the best heel height for foot care?

The best heel height is close to natural - 10 to 15mm - in other words, the same height difference from heel to toe that you find in a good pair of sports shoes. If you want a change, you can safely alternate this height with heel heights up to 35mm high. Anything higher will significantly alter your centre of gravity, spinal alignment and muscle function.

Does it matter if it’s a stiletto type or a chunky heel?

A stiletto style heel only contacts the ground with a small area roughly equivalent to a 20c piece. The step shock from the ground then passses to your heel in a small concentrated high pressure area. Conversely, the larger area in a chunky heel spreads the pressure evenly under your whole heel. Also important is that thin heels do not encourage ankle stability while chunky heels are more stable.

How can high heels look so good but be so bad?

High heels make the calf muscles contract, look more curvaceous and this is considered attractive. However, in wearing high heels, we alter natural muscle function in the leg and foot with potentially deforming forces. High heels also alter your centre of gravity as well as affect spinal alignment and this is why we should limit their use.

I’ve always worn high heels. Why are flats uncomfortable for me?

High heels make the calf muscles contract, and in turn, over a period of time, will result in shortening of the Achilles tendon at the back of the calf. Many years of high heel use can make this change semi-permanent and cause pain when the tendon is stretched. A shortened Achilles tendon can be gently stretched back to normal within three months. Consult your podiatrist or physiotherapist for details.

If high heels are harmful, does that mean i can never wear a sexy high heel?

Today’s woman can be aware of the consequences and make informed choices. Use what is appropriate - if you’re on your feet for long hours - wear flats or, at absolute most, 35mm heels. To improve foot health and muscle function, alternate your heel heights: one day flats, one day 35mm heels. Anything higher than a 35mm heel should be restricted for short term use - a party or special event or a candlelit dinner for two at home!

I have painful skin under my foot. Why does this happen?

Do you remember the hard skin on the inside of your pen or pencil finger at school? It’s called callus and only happens on glabrous skin. Glabrous skin is a different kind of skin found on the contact areas of our hands and feet, fingers and toes, knees and elbows. It behaves differently from other skin when there is pressure and friction, causing callus. Callus can build up into a corn with a small centre of pressure sometimes called a root. This forms from layers of hard keratin skin cells at the surface being pushed into the soft tissue underneath.

How can I avoid corns and callus?

To prevent corns and callus, remove or prevent the source of pressure and friction. This is why it is so important to choose well fitting shoes. Avoid shoes that are too tight or too loose, or shoe shapes that do not match your foot shape. Genuine soft leather is best. Choose shoes that have a system of cushioning in both the outer and inner sole design. Avoid frequent use of high heels as your foot will slide into the front of the shoe, putting pressure on the tops of toes where they touch the shoe lining.

What’s the best way to soften hard skin or callus on my feet?

For South African condititions, use a foot scrub followed by a good heel balm that contains at leat 20% urea. (see Froggie’s Own Footcare Range) Urea is made from carbon dioxide and ammonia in a laboratory so it is acceptable for all religious beliefs. It helps to trap moisture in glabrous skin, the special skin type found in everyone’s soles of their feet, keeping heels soft, attractive and healthy. If corns or cullus persist, have a podiatrist check your foot biomechanics - you may have an imbalance in the way you walk.

What causes smelly feet?

Feet may still smell in spite of frequent washing, due to over-active sweat glands caused by genetics, accidents to nerves, illness or nervous conditions, tight shoes and shoe materials that cannot “breathe”. Too much moisture promotes a population explosion of the skin’s natural flora (good bacteria) and loss of skin cells which decay after a few hours. Consult a podiatrist for specific remedies to control over perspiration in the feet.

What can I do about sweaty feet?

Stick to leather shoes to avoid the “plastic bag” effect of non-leather shoes. Use absorbent foot talc in socks and closed shoes. Use frequent changes of socks or stockings. Wash feet daily with 5 grains of permanganate of potash in 1 litre water (this may stain skin light brown) or use the new specially formulated foot anti-perspirant spray from Froggie. Consult a qualified podiatrist for prescription strength anti-perspirants, and specific advice.

Is Athelete’s Foot really such a problem?

Athlete’s Foot is a fungal infection of the skin, which if left untreated, can infect your toenails as well. Conversely, if toenail fungus is untreated, it can reinfect the skin. If you are fond of walking barefoot, every step you take will leave a potential trail of infection for someone else. Consult your podiatrist for effective treatment as well as advice on how to safely decontaminate your footwear and environment.

I have pain under my heel and under my arch. What can it be?

Heel and arch pain can reault from inflammation of the fibrous band (plantar fascia) under the foot. Common causes include overloading by long hours of standing, carrying weights, pregnancy, or imbalance of the foot or ankle. Signs include heel pain on first standing in the morning that then eases up. It may also happen on standing up after sitting for a while. It’s worse during and after exercise. This is called plantar fascitis and is best treated by a podiatrist.

What can i do about pain under my heel and under my arch?

Avoid non-cushioned thin-soled shoes for everyday use. Replace worn out heels as these can tilt the foot and ankle out of balance. Wear shoes with cushioning systems in soles and inners to absorb shock. Ice-packs, rest and taping help decrease the pain of inflammation until you can see a podiatrist for effective treatment. Since heel pain can have other serious origins, always consult a podiatrist for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

What can i do about Varicose Veins?

Alternate the heights of the heels you wear from day to day. This will exercise your calf muscles which tone the veins in your legs. Walk often or do calf raise exercises: Hold onto a chair and go up onto tip toes then back down onto your heels. Do as many as you are comfortable with to help your veins function better. Avoid very hot baths as these can further dilate the veins in your legs. Avoid crossing your legs when sitting.

Call the SA Podiatry Association 0861 100 249 to locate your nearest podiatrist.

Foot Facts brought to you by Froggie 031 450 0207, in the interest of better footcare.