Are you hurting your feet?

Our poor feet often get the short end of the stick, constantly subjected to toe-stubbing, smelly socks and super high (and super painful) heels. But that’s not the only reason they can start to protest with cramps, rough skin and unsightly sores and bunions. There are actually a few ways you could be causing your feet harm without even realising. So to treat your feet a bit better, avoid these four mistakes:

#1 Forgetting to dry your feet properly

Each time you get out of the shower, it’s important to towel off everywhere. Many of us skip in between the toes, which when left damp, can cause cracking, splitting and peeling in the toe web – also known as tinea. It’s also a good idea to expose your feet to air as much as possible to prevent overheating and perspiration, which can also contribute to the skin infection.

#2 Wearing tight shoes

Finding the right fit when it comes to shoes is really important. If they’re too loose, they can rub and cause blisters, and if they’re too tight, you’re setting yourself up for bunions and corns. So even though they may feel nice and secure, your close-fitting shoes could be causing damage. The solution? Try on and road-test every pair of shoes you buy, as it’s pretty common to be a different size depending on the style. And if you’re prone to bunions and corns, avoid pointed shoes.

#3 Not strengthening your arches

Constantly stretching out foot cramps? These painful pangs are often caused by weak arches. To strengthen your arches, place small rubber balls (roughly the size of golf balls – or you can even use golf balls!) on the ground and pick them up using your toes. Repeat this on each foot for at least five minutes per day and the cramps should lessen.

#4 Being overweight

Do you ever feel pain in the bottom of your heel? This is known as plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a thin ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot, supporting your arch and helping you to walk. The pain in the heel is usually caused by too much pressure on the feet, which then damages or tears ligaments, resulting in the plantar fascia becoming inflamed. You’re at greater risk of developing plantar fasciitis if you’re overweight – yet another reason to feast on nutritious foods, stay active and maintain a healthy weight!