Podiatrists reveal the biggest mistakes you're making with your feet that could cause permanent damage
A staggering 81 percent of Americans reported foot pain in 2024.
Kuru Footwear's Prevalence of Foot Pain report said this is a 'marked increase over the past decade', with 77 percent reporting pain back in 2014.
Foot pain can be caused by a variety of factors including injuries like sprains, overuse from exercise, wearing poorly fitting shoes, arthritis bunions, and calluses.
From research into various types of foot pain, the Kuru Footwear report revealed that pain in arch of foot is the most prevalent (39 percent), followed by pain under the heel (35 percent), pain in ankle (34 percent), pain in ball of foot (33 percent), pain in some toes (25 percent), pain on top of foot (20 percent), and pain in the toes (10 percent).
In a bid to help curtail the upward foot pain trend, a group of top podiatrists - doctors who specialize in foot, ankle, and lower limb disorders - have revealed the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to looking after their feet.
While they are considered one of the most comfortable shoes on the market, the foot experts say wearing Crocs all the time is a no-no.
The shoes, which launched in 2002, have a flat sole with minimal arch support, which can put stress on your feet and increase the likelihood of heel pain.
The plastic material they are made from could also lead to sweaty feet and even blisters.
Kuru Footwear, which commissioned the Prevalence of Foot Pain report, said this is a 'marked increase over the past decade', with 77 percent reporting pain back in 2014
Dr Ebonie Vincent, a board-certified podiatric foot and ankle specialist in California, told HuffPost: 'Don't get me wrong, Crocs are a decent shoe to wear around the house or while doing small tasks.
'However, when I see people wearing Crocs at Disneyland or for long hours of standing, I know they will probably suffer from some foot issues down the line.'
A lack of arch support in shoes can be detrimental because it forces your foot muscles to work harder to maintain proper alignment, leading to potential pain and strain.
Next up Dr Jason Gold, a board-certified podiatrist at the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center in Florida, warns about walking around barefoot.
He says during the Covid pandemic, more people started ditching footwear as they spent more time at home.
However, he says the lack of foot support - especially when walking around on harder surfaces such as tiles and concrete - can cause foot and ankle issues.
He explained: 'Time and time again, we hear that people live on their bare feet and are supposedly comfortable that way.
'If you consistently don't provide support for your feet, you will develop calluses or even fat pad atrophy, [which means the fat pad on the heel of your foot thins and causes discomfort].
'If this happens, walking barefoot will no longer be comfortable, and you will limit your options on which shoes you can wear in the future.'
According to a National Foot Health Assessment, about 18 million American women and 4million men report having bunions every year.
Dr Gold says for women, high heels, with their elevated heel and narrow toe box, can accelerate the growth of bony bumps at the base of the big toes. These bumps, which can be painful and unsightly, are called bunions.
They can also cause corns, heel spurs - small, bony growths that develop on the underside of the heel bone - and pain in the Achilles tendon - the tissue that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone.
High heels, with their elevated heel and narrow toe box, can accelerate the growth of bunions
He advises wearing high heels in moderation and occasionally, with supportive footwear - such as sneakers or specially designed flat boots - worn at least 80 percent of the time.
For women looking to add a little height to their look, Dr Gold says platform heels are better than stiletto-style shoes, as they can help alleviate stress on the foot, with a less angled design.
Sticking to the footwear theme, Atlanta-based podiatrist Dr Jay Spector warns against working out in poorly made shoes not designed for exercise.
He says: 'Avoid running in shoes that are not running shoes.
'Many people will get a cheap pair of shoes and try running, and that can create pain.
'Also, wear the right shoe for the right activity,' Spector added. 'Avoid wearing running shoes to play tennis and vice versa.'
Wearing poorly fitted or worn-out workout shoes can also contribute to knee and joint problems, as they can alter the way you move and put unnecessary strain on your joints due to lack of proper support and cushioning.
After finding the right fitness shoes, he recommends changing them every 300 to 500 miles or every six to eight months.
Another place where people go wrong, the foot specialists say, is the way shoes are tied.
They advise looking at different lacing techniques if you are suffering from specific food problems.
For example, Performance Therapies recommends an intricate crisscross technique that can help provide greater support to the ankle and make sure your shoe isn’t too tight.
Meanwhile, a more open style of lacing called 'wide forefoot lacing' can allow for more space for the forefoot and in the toe box of your running shoe.
On the subject of lacing Dr Michael J. Trepal, a professor of surgery and academic dean at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, says: 'Especially in pediatric patients, I would avoid not opening laces and retying them when putting on.
Hospitalized: Kandis Saville-Parsons, a mom from Alberta, Canada, suffered a cut on her big toe during a pedicure on July 24, 2018, that led to a life-threatening infection
The former nurse, who has type 1 diabetes and is more prone to foot injuries from poor circulation, was accidentally cut with a nail file during the salon visit
'The support function of the shoe is lost or greatly reduced in an unlaced or under-laced shoe.'
He noted this is especially true with a flat or low-arch foot type, as those are prone to developing symptoms with inadequate support.
Moving to foot hygiene, the podiatrists say there are many areas where people go wrong.
Firstly, going barefoot in hotel bathrooms and other germy public spaces such as a gym is advised against.
Explaining why, Dr Gold says: 'I never walk barefoot in a hotel or take showers without flip-flops to avoid chances of wart/verruca or foreign body exposure.
'Walking barefoot in a hotel or public places increases your chances of obtaining a virus on your feet, which is known as a plantar's wart or verruca.
'Warts can multiply and become quite large on the foot and are sometimes difficult to remove.'
Likewise, Dr Gold warns about visiting untrusted nail salons, as they can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
He notes: 'I would never go to a salon that doesn't sterilize their instruments after usage, which helps avoid chances of fungal or bacterial infections.
'Fungal infections will cause your nails to become severely thickened and discolored with time.'
They advise paying attention to safety practices when you are at a nail salon, such as ensuring instruments have been opened out of fresh packaging.
Some of the other post-pedicure conditions the podiatrists warn about include MRSA staph infections, ingrown nails, and foot cellulitis.
DailyMail.com previously reported on Kandis Saville-Parsons' story.
The mom from Alberta, Canada, had to have her toe amputated and almost died from toxic shock syndrome after she contracted the life-threatening bacterial infection from a pedicure.
The former nurse, who has type 1 diabetes and is more prone to foot injuries from poor circulation, was accidentally cut with a nail file during the salon visit.
Her only passing concern at the time was that the injury on her big toe wouldn't heal properly but it quickly progressed into a life-threatening wound.
The fabric of your socks can also make a difference in terms of foot health, Dr Spector says.
He recommends avoiding cotton socks, as they 'retain moisture and can cause blisters and foot and nail fungus'.
Instead, synthetic materials 'wick out sweat and moisture'.
Lastly, for those suffering with foot problems, the specialists advise seeking specialist care straightaway as self-treating ailments could lead to misdiagnosis or cause issues to worsen.
