Some shoes hurt your feet, but it's not an unsolvable problem. Before you go through the torture of pain, irritation, and blisters, try some of the tricks outlined in this article. However, remember that some shoes have manufacturing defects, so it is impossible to fix them completely. Read on to find out how to prevent footwear from hurting you - or at least make the discomfort a little more bearable.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use Protective Plasters, Insoles, and Other Tools
Step 1. Prevent sores, irritation and cuts by sticking protective blister patches into the shoe
Buy them at a shoe store (or at the shoemaker). Place a patch behind the strap or heel part and trace the outline with a pencil. Cut out the shape, peel off the sticker and attach the patch.
- This method will also work on other areas that tend to irritate the feet. If they are in the shoe, cut out a small circle or oval slightly larger than the affected area. Peel off the sticker and place it.
- You can also attach the patch directly to your foot and remove it at the end of the day.
Step 2. Prevent friction and blistering by using an anti-friction stick, available at the pharmacy
Apply it directly to the skin, right on the spots where irritation and blisters usually occur.
You don't have to apply it to existing blisters. In this case, try to buy special patches. They protect them and keep them clean so they don't get infected
Step 3. Try using an antiperspirant stick to reduce sweating
Sweat and moisture that arise from irritation can cause blisters or make them worse. An antiperspirant reduces sweat, in turn fighting blisters.
Step 4. Use an insole to keep your foot in place, but also to prevent irritation and bruising
When the foot slips from one side of the shoe to the other, blisters can form along the front and back, where the material rubs against the skin. If you find your foot moving when you wear wedge shoes or similar, slip gel or cushioned insoles into your shoes to reduce movement.
Step 5. Relieve forefoot pain with foot pads
If they hurt you at the end of the day, your shoes may be too stiff (this often happens with high heels). Buy a pack of special pads and slip them into the front of your shoes, right where your toes rest. They usually have an oval shape.
If you have high-heeled sandals with a tab between your toes, you might want to buy a heart-shaped cushion. The rounded parts will fit on each side of the tongue
Step 6. Use silicone gel pads or adhesive sponge (sold as a tape) to relieve excessive pressure on smaller areas
They can be found in shoe stores. The silicone gel pads are transparent and blend easily with the skin, while the adhesive sponge can be cut out to be the right shape and size.
Step 7. If your heels hurt, use silicone insoles designed for this area or targeted insoles to support the arch
Pain usually occurs when the part of the shoe corresponding to the heel or the buttress area is too hard. It is also possible that the footwear does not sufficiently support the arch of the foot. Try slipping on a silicone heel pad or arch insole. Both of these devices can be cut out to be the right size, plus they have a sticker on the back so they don't slip.
- Arch support insoles are usually sold under the name "arch support" or "orthopedic insoles". If you have trouble finding them, look for a thicker insole in the middle, where the arch should be.
- Putting an insole into a tight shoe could compress your feet and make you feel uncomfortable. If that happens, try using a thinner insole.
Step 8. Avoid pinching fingers when wearing high heels:
just ask a cobbler to shorten the heel slightly. Sometimes the angle created between the heel and the forefoot is too wide, so the foot tends to slide forward and press the toes against the front of the shoe; reducing the heel height can solve the problem. Don't try to do it at home: contact a shoemaker. Most heels can be shortened by up to 3 centimeters.
Method 2 of 3: Adjust the Dimensions
Step 1. A shoe of the wrong size can damage your foot, but find out how to fix it
Shoes that are too large can be just as harmful as shoes that are too tight. The former do not support the foot sufficiently and make it move too much, causing irritation and compressing the toes; the latter leave the feet sore at the end of the day. Thankfully, it is possible to make footwear a little wider, but you can also use devices to make it smaller.
Remember that some materials are easier to spread than others
Step 2. If the shoes are too big, try putting on an insole
It will create an additional cushion in the shoe and prevent the foot from moving too much.
Step 3. If the shoe is too big and the foot is moving excessively, use a leather adhesive strip for the back of the heel
You can also buy a special clear gel band for this area. Just remove the protective sheet and attach it to the inside of the shoe, right where the heel rests. It will pad the back area of the shoe, preventing the heel from becoming irritated and keeping the foot in place.
Step 4. If the shoes are too big in the toe area, use some wool
Have you bought loafers or work shoes that are too big? Fingers likely slide forward and cross. Try to fill this area with wool balls; it is a breathable and lightweight material, much more comfortable and less likely to roll up than handkerchiefs. You can also use cotton balls.
Step 5. Enlarge the shoes with a wooden form
It can maintain the shape of the footwear or widen them, depending on its length or width. Insert a last into each shoe after taking it off. This technique is preferable for leather and suede, while it does not work for rubber or plastic.
Step 6. Use a shoe expander
Spray the shoe widening spray, then slip on the shoe widener. Each model of this device has small differences, but almost all of them feature an iron handle and an ambidextrous shoe shape. The first deals with the length, the second with the width. Turn the iron handle until the shoe stretcher has stretched the shoe material, then leave it inside for 6-8 hours. At this point, rotate it in the other direction (to shorten it) and remove the shoelace from the shoe. It is a great solution for work shoes and too small loafers.
- There are several types of shoe expanders, including those for high heels. Those that allow you to operate in length and width are the most effective.
- Some shoe extenders have special accessories for ailments such as bunion. Put them on before using the device.
- Shoe extenders can only soften shoes, so they aren't too tight. They can't make them bigger.
- Shoe extenders are most effective for natural materials, such as leather and suede. They can work on certain types of canvas, but are not very effective with synthetics and plastics.
Step 7. Ask a cobbler to stretch the shoes
This will give your toes more space, avoiding squeezing and sore feet. But be careful: this technique only works with leather and suede footwear. If you have an expensive pair of shoes that you don't want to DIY ruin, it's a good alternative.
Step 8. Use ice to spread shoes that are too tight at the toe
You can do this by partially filling two airtight bags with water and closing them tightly, so that there is no air left in the bags and the water does not spill. Slip each bag into the front of the shoes and place them in the freezer. Wait for the water to freeze, then remove them. Remove the bags from the shoes and put them on. As they warm up, they will adapt to the shape of the foot.
- Since the water expands when it freezes, this helps to widen the shoes at least a little.
- This method only works for natural materials, such as leather, suede, and canvas. It may not be very effective for plastics and other synthetic materials.
- If leather or suede shoes get wet, they can get stained. Try wrapping them in a towel to protect them.
Method 3 of 3: Troubleshoot Other Problems
Step 1. Buy specific socks
Sometimes wearing the right socks is all you need to fix uncomfortable shoes. Some types of socks support the feet, create a moisture barrier, help prevent irritation and blisters. Here are some types of socks you might find and what function they perform:
- Sports socks are tighter in the arch area. Since they support it, they are great for sports shoes.
- Socks that create a moisture barrier help fight sweat. This will keep your feet dry and prevent blisters from forming.
- The running socks have an additional pad at the bottom. This helps absorb the impact of the foot when you run.
- Socks with separated toes are like gloves for the feet. They cover each finger separately and help prevent blisters between them.
- Consider the material. Some, like cotton, absorb sweat too easily, which can cause blisters. Acrylic, polyester and polypropylene help fight it, leaving your feet dry.
Step 2. Prevent flip flops from hurting you by creating a cushion in the string part
The flip flops are comfortable and easy to wear. However, when the string begins to press between the fingers, they can become painful. Here are some tricks you can try to fix it.
- Use silicone flip flops devices. They have the same shape as the forefoot pads, only they have a small vertical cylinder at the front. Insert the device into the front of the flip flops, then slip the string part into the cylinder. This will help prevent it from pressing between your fingers.
- Wrap the string area with a blister patch. This is especially effective for plastic or rubber flip flops. Helps create a cushion and soften sharp edges.
- Wrap some fabric around the string. You can also use it to completely cover it, in order to make the flip-flops more colorful and original. Secure both ends of the fabric to the shoe with a drop of shoe glue.
Step 3. Find out how to fix shoes that give off bad odors
You can use microsuede insoles to absorb sweat or you can slip tea bags into your shoes after wearing them; throw them away the next day.
Step 4. Try joining the third and fourth fingers together using flesh-colored medical tape
Helps relieve pain affecting the toes. This method works because there is a nerve between these two fingers; when you wear heels and some pressure is exerted on the area, the nerve becomes stressed. Joining these fingers at least partially removes the tension.
Step 5. Soften stiff shoes by wearing them for short intervals of time
If your shoes hurt because they are hard, you can soften them by wearing them when you are at home. Take breaks often and take them off when the discomfort becomes unbearable. Over time, they will soften and become more comfortable.
Step 6. Use a hair dryer to stretch and soften hard shoes
Set it to the lowest temperature and direct the jet of air towards the inside of the shoe. Heat it inside for a few minutes, then turn off the hairdryer. Put on two pairs of socks and put your shoes on. As they cool, they will adapt to the shape of the foot. This method is preferable for footwear made of natural materials, while it is not recommended for plastics and other synthetic materials, as it can damage them.
Advice
- Before putting on a pair of shoes to go out, bring them into the house. This will soften them and spot potential problems before they hurt you too much.
- After taking off your shoes, take a foot bath with warm water. The heat will soothe your feet and can make you feel much better.
- When you are wearing stiletto heels and you know you will be walking on unstable ground, put on a transparent or black heel protector. This device increases the heel support surface, so there will be less chance of it getting caught.
- If blisters form, take a foot bath with hot green tea for 10 minutes. Its astringent properties eliminate bacteria, reducing bad odors and the likelihood of an infection developing. The heat will also help relieve pain.
- Remember that the feet change. They can swell in hot weather and shrink in cold weather. Furthermore, the number can also change over the years. It is helpful to take a professional foot measurement from time to time.
- If you suffer from bunion, look for baggy shoes. Some shoes have different models: narrow, normal / regular or wide.
- Try changing your shoes later in the day. If you have to walk to work or an event, wear comfortable footwear. Once you get there, exchange them.
