We often wear shoes to protect our feet from injury, dirt, and harsh weather, but wearing shoes all day, every day can actually cause more harm than good.
According to Dr Vikas Basa, Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon, Kokilaben Hospitals, Mumbai wearing shoes for extended periods locks your feet into a specific position, making the muscles in your feet stiff and weak. This constant confinement reduces the natural range of movement and can lead to long-term foot problems.
How can wearing shoes the whole day affect your feet?
Shoes, particularly those that are ill-fitting or closed tightly around the foot, can result in a variety of foot issues, such as:
Blisters, Corns, and Calluses: Constant friction between your skin and the shoe’s interior causes these painful conditions. Ill-fitting shoes, or shoes that don’t allow for proper foot movement, increase the likelihood of these skin irritations, said Dr Basa.
Fungal and Bacterial Infections: Wearing shoes throughout the day in hot and humid environments, especially in India, can lead to excessive sweating. Dr Siddharth Yadav, Orthopaedic Consultant at Apollo Hospitals, noted that trapped moisture inside the shoe creates a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, which can cause infections like athlete’s foot.
Foot Weakness: Dr Basa explained locking the feet into a fixed position weakens certain muscle groups in the foot. This loss of muscle strength can lead to further complications like foot pain, plantar fasciitis, and even posture problems as your feet struggle to support the body’s weight.
Posture Issues: Shoes with poor support or improper fitting can throw off your body’s alignment, leading to posture-related problems such as back pain or hip discomfort. Poor foot positioning for long hours can eventually lead to chronic issues in other parts of your body.
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Shoes with poor support or improper fitting can throw off your body’s alignment (file)
How to take care of your feet
To keep your feet healthy, it’s essential to give them a break from shoes. Dr Basa recommends removing your shoes at regular intervals to allow your feet to breathe. Here are some other ways you can care for your feet, according to Dr Yadav:
- Stretch and exercise: Regular stretching helps maintain flexibility and strength.
- Daily foot care: Wash, dry, and moisturize your feet daily.
- Clean footwear: Keep shoes clean and dry to prevent fungal infections.
- Sun-dry shoes: Expose shoes to sunlight to kill bacteria and eliminate odors.
