Footwear

Shoes play a vital role in supporting the feet in their daily activities. Wearing the wrong shoes can have many long and short term effects on the health of your feet. Shoes that are too small can cause toe deformities such as bunions, claw toes and hammertoes, which subsequently can help to develop corns and calluses. When wearing shoes made out of plastic material the skin on your feet is not able to breath properly and the moist and warm environment becomes a breeding ground for fungal infections.

Badly fitting shoes may contribute to falls. Many people slip, trip or stumble because of a slippery sole. Although high-heeled shoes might be more fashionable, wearing them increases the risk of developing heel and ankle pain. Furthermore, they make it more difficult for you to sustain your balance and therefore make you more susceptible to falling. Shoes should be selected for comfort and safety.

For more tips on what to look out for when buying shoes, please go to the 'footwear' section under prevention.