Unsightly bunions, one of the side effects of wearing high heels, can be prevented.

They look good, and are sure headturners no matter where you go. Too bad they do not feel as great as they look. High heels which has clogged the closets of women for decades are in fact, bad for you.

According to chiropodist/ podiatrist Joan Bogle, the consequences of continuously wearing such shoes are well ,quite ugly. She said that wearing high heels causes pressure to be shifted to the balls of the feet to the bones and to the base of the toes.

"My motto is that the feet are the foundation of the body," she said. "The recommended height for heels to be worn daily is about two inches."

Bogle told all woman that constantly wearing high heels causes lesions such as unsightly bunions and corns.

"You really should not be wearing high heels all the time," said Bogle. "The period of time that you wear them can really hurt because your feet are not meant to be in such cryptic positions constantly."

High heels are sexy but they can cause problems.

She said that you can get other painful problems such as fracturing your ankles, and damaging your Achilles tendon which is in fact quite painful.

"It also causes leg pain, because an enormous amount of pressure is put on the calves," explained Bogle. "High heels can also cause back pain, because when you are walking in high heels it causes you to pitch forward."

When you walk in flat shoes, the muscles of the leg and thigh are given an opportunity to contract and stretch out. However, when wearing your high-heeled shoes, the foot is now held in a downward position Because of this knee and the hip, for example, are somewhat in a flexed position. This prevents the muscles from stretching out as they normally would.

This is definitely not a good sign as it will lead to pain and increase the likelihood of injury. Furthermore, heels also cause misalignment in the body including the hips.
Clawing of the toes, another unattractive feature is also a consequence of excessive wearing.

"Clawing of the toes occurs because you are trying to grip the shoes, to keep them on your feet," explained Bogle. She said this is common particularly in open-toed high heeled shoes.
Your cute digits are also splayed by high heels. She said that corns are caused by the constant friction of the toes in the shoes. A bunion is an enlargement of bone or tissue around the joint at the base of the big toe. She said that bunions can be hereditary but that they can be caused by the narrowness of the shoes as well .

"Sometimes you get a small sack (bunion) and these can be very painful." said Bogle.

"These are a result of the bodies reaction, to try and protect the soft tissues in the foot," she explained.
With everything being commercial these days, it is tempting to buy corn pads being advertised to hide these conical shaped lesions.

"I do not agree with these commercial corn pads because they can do more harm than good," said Bogle. She said that she had a situation where a patient tried to use a corn pad and their toes got burnt up.

Trying to do it yourself is also a big no.
"People have tried so many things," noted Bogle. "They normally cut down too far, and end up seriously injuring themselves."

She said that normally a topical anaesthetic is used and a scalpel to remove them.

And for bunions if they get too big then the patients are normally referred to an orthopaedic surgeon to have them removed.

Meanwhile, she said that bunions are sometimes treated by putting a piece of felt over the sore, and having a hole in it to alleviate pressure. But as is commonly known some women are willing to risk their health just to look good.

"Flat shoes with a little heel are okay," recommended Bogle. She said that if you do not want to completely give up your heels, then you should consider wearing shorter heels.
According to Bogle, taking your feet out of your stiletto-like heels for a couple minutes will not make much of a difference.

"They must not be uncomfortable, the toes must have sufficient room to move around."

Bogle warns that although the negative effects of continuously wearing heels are not life-threatening, diabetics should take precautions when it comes to their choice of footwear.

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