What to do to prevent the shoes from chafing your feet? Check out our ways

Why are my shoes chafing?

There are at least several reasons for the occurrence of painful abrasions on the feet. The most common is, of course, the fact that the shoes are new, so they have not yet had time to adjust to the shape of your feet. However, this is not the only reason. Why are my shoes chafing?

• The shoes are wrongly chosen. It is worth noting that the feet can rub both too small and too large shoes. Usually, we blame too tight shoes for annoying abrasions on the heels, ankles or toes. This is true, of course, but shoes that are too loose and lack stable foot support are also a problem. This can result in chafing, but also a more serious injury. In turn, too tight shoes, in addition to abrasions and painful blisters, contribute to increased foot sweating, deformation or damage to the nail plate. Don't underestimate the problem and always choose your shoe size carefully, because it turns out that a scratched heel, although painful, is one of the lesser problems. 

• Poor quality material. The problem of chafed heels occurs most often in the case of shoes made of inferior quality materials, e.g. ecological leather. The decisive feature in this case is a much lower price, so you can afford several pairs instead of one made of genuine leather. On the other hand, shoes made of natural leather are much more expensive, but they are characterized by greater airiness and plasticity, thanks to which the foot does not sweat, and the shoe itself adjusts to its shape faster. This issue should be paid attention to especially by people with sensitive feet, prone to blisters, abrasions and nagging pain.

Abrasions on the feet, although they begin quite innocently, can result in serious problems, and in extreme cases - an inflamed infection that requires the intervention of a doctor. Don't underestimate the problem and act before the inconspicuous reddening of your heel ends with painful, bursting blisters and bleeding wounds.

What to do to prevent the shoes from chafing?

Chafing on the heels is an unpleasant and often painful problem. Discover some proven ways to rub your shoes and wear them with joy!

• Try to gently stretch the shoes. A slightly damp, thick sock will work well. A several-minute walk should deal with the problem of too tight footwear. If necessary, you can repeat the activity for several days. Also see our article, in which we suggest other solutions to help break down too small shoes. 

• Brush your shoes with a greasy cream. The cosmetic will soften the material, so it will not irritate the skin on the feet. In addition, the cream gives a glide, which allows the foot to work more freely inside the shoe. This method is also great for sandals. 

• Talc or baby powder. The product will effectively minimize excessive foot sweating, which is a frequent cause of subsequent abrasions or chafing. Talc will absorb moisture, thus reducing the risk of damage to the epidermis. 

• Gel inserts. It's best to put them in your shoes right after you buy them to prevent a problem from arising. Gel insoles, available in shoe stores, are an excellent method for abrasive shoes, as they minimize the slipping of the foot inside the shoe, protecting the heel and midfoot. They will also work in the case of sandals, high heels and wedge-heeled models. 

• Heel tabs for shoes. You can buy them in shoe stores, and proper sticking of the product inside the shoes guarantees effective protection against abrasions.

• Enlist the help of a shoemaker. A good way is to return a troublesome pair of shoes to a shoemaker who, with the help of professional tools, will remove the cause of the skin abrasions.

Proper preparation of new shoes is crucial, so it is worth taking care of this issue before putting on for the first time. However, if you have already experienced redness or abrasions that make it impossible to walk comfortably, proper foot care will be necessary to reduce the nagging pain. A hot bath will bring relief to your feet, which will soothe ailments. You should also remember to protect the skin from further aggravation of the problem - use protective patches for this purpose, change shoes to a different model and leave the wound as often as possible without dressing, which will speed up healing.