Wearing High heels a risk

When it comes to wearing a fashionable 'must have' pair or heels, girls in search of glamour will gladly suffer the price of painful feet, says Marcella McEvoy.

Yet, past studies have shown that wearing high heels regularly can contribute to the development of health related conditions. This is why females have four times as many foot problems as males. So, before dreaming about your next pair of heels, should you be showing your tootsies a tad more respect?

"Proper foot care is essential to healthy feet," says Sandy Farma, a state registered Chiropodist and Podiatrist. "It should be an integral part of our daily routine.

Top tip

If you've got space in your bag, take a change of shoes when you go for a night out. Flat shoes can be a blessing for the trip home if it's been murder on the dance floor!

Mr Farma blames a lot of teenage foot problems on their choice of footwear. "Today a lot of younger people have ingrown toenails and this is partially due to their foot wear. Whilst there is more money around for teenagers to buy the appropriate footwear, fashion trends tend to influence their choice of shoe.

"When you wear high heels the back of your heels are lifted abnormally high and heels tend to narrow the front of the feet. This results in hard skin (callus), corns, bone and various joint deformity such as clawed toes and bunions."

This view is supported by the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists who believe high heels can also result in back problems, as heels cause the spine to bend backwards to compensate. High heels with an often narrow heel width can also cause the ankle to become unstable, resulting in ankle sprains.

So, should we think twice before purchasing our next pair of heels? Mr Farma believes we should, but he realises that this is not going to stop women buying them. "If you are going to wear them I would recommend you only wear them for a few hours at a time and adhere to the following tips:"

Tips for wearing high heels

1. If you have to walk to school, college or work, wear trainers (or comfy flip flops in the summer) to and fro, and take your shoes off when sitting at your desk.

2. Save your high heels for special occasions and invest in some gel cushion support pads, for the inside of your heels, which help to support the balls of your feet.

3. Try and limit the amount of time you wear backless shoes, as these force your toes to claw when you walk, and can strain muscles in your feet if worn over a long period of time.

4. Vary the type of shoes that you wear so you have a mix of flat and heeled shoes.

5. Protect the health of your feet by cleaning them daily and drying them thoroughly between the toes.

6. Thin straps can cut into your heels or over your toes. If you are going to wear them, invest in some blister pads to put on the teeny bits to cushion your skin.

7. Remember, too-tight shoes can be stretched at the cobblers, and worn-down heels should always be repaired - otherwise they can throw you off balance and create strain.

Remember now that flatter shoes, like ballet-style pumps are fashionable as well as flattering and comfortable. Why not get some pairs in a few colours and save your heels for sashaying on a Saturday night!

Treat those tootsies!

Try a full-on pampering session and do a DIY pedicure. You can attack any hard skin (go gently though, as over-buffing can make your feet sore-especially where the hard skin is near bone), soften cuticles with oil or moisturiser and trim and paint your nails.

Finally, if you do have a foot problem don't try and tackle it yourself. Self treating can be hazardous! Always seek advice from your local chiropodist.