Why You Should Think Twice Before Wearing Pointed Toe Shoes

Foot problems are the worst — ask anyone who's ever struggled with them and they'll tell you that foot pain seems to affect nearly everything. It goes without saying that shoes can severely help or hamper your feet's ability to support the rest of your body. Especially when you wear things like high heels or various types of shoes that don't provide support for your feet, you may be regretting it the next day and later in life. 

In addition to the classic offenders, wearing pointed-toe shoes can be harmful for your feet. These types of shoes don't leave enough space for your toes to fan out and do what's required to support your weight. In fact, podiatrist Andrew Shapiro, explains, "In addition to metatarsalgia and hammer toes, pointy-toed shoes can cause neuroma, an inflammation of the nerve between the toes" (via WebMD). Since pointed-toe shoes jam all of your weight onto the front of your foot, it shouldn't come as a surprise that this type of footwear can cause nerve damage and deformation over time.

Because modern footwear often narrows towards the front of the foot, many people struggle with issues like bunions and nerve damage. This issue leads to deformed feet with toes jammed together, according to YogaBody. Since pointed-toe shoes artificially distribute weight unevenly, blisters and painful bunions can be the result. Bunions originate as lumps at the base of the big toe from too much pressure being placed towards the top of your foot, as WebMD explains. These bumps can make the big toe stiffen and put pressure on your other toes, worsening other foot problems and often making it difficult to walk, Healthline notes. If you want to avoid bunions, nerve issues and hammer toes, steer clear of pointed-toe shoes. 

To alleviate this issue, choose shoes that have a wide sole and use inserts for extra support. Avoid wearing pointed-toe shoes and other varieties that confine the toes in spaces that are too small — your feet will thank you for it.