Don’t Share Shoes

It may be tempting to borrow your girlfriend’s adorable heels for your big date, but sharing shoes can lead to fungal infections, too. You should never share shoes (or socks) that have been worn by another person - this includes rentals at places like bowling alleys. To keep your feet healthy, always wear your own footgear.

Limit Heel Time

Heels are walkable works of art, but they damage our feet and leg muscles with prolonged use. If you wear heels at work, consider wearing comfortable shoes to and from the office, and slipping them off while you’re sitting at your desk. And if you do wear heels, opt for shoes that have sturdy heels and traction on the bottoms to avoid nasty ankle-bending sprains or other injuries.

Wear Your Socks

There are more than 250,000 sweat glands in each of your feet. When your feet sweat, it creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. By wearing socks that are made of fibers that wick moisture away from your feet, your feet will stay drier and healthier. You should also avoid wearing tight pantyhose, which can trap moisture on your feet and increase the conditions for a bacterial breeding ground. To further help keep your feet dry and healthy, you should wear shoes that are made of natural, breathable materials.

Wear Shoes That Fit

This may seem obvious, but especially for women, squeezing our feet into pointed-toe shoes or shoes that are slightly too small seems like it’s an innocent price to pay for fashion. In reality, wearing shoes that are too tight or that don’t fit our feet properly can cause long-term foot damage. Experts suggest shopping for shoes at the end of the day, rather than in the morning, so that we can buy shoes that will accommodate for swelling that happens throughout the day. Instead of pointed toes, choose shoes that have a broad, rounded front with room for your toes and a wider heel.

Your Feet Need Doctors, Too

If you notice that you have a fungal infection that isn’t clearing up with home remedies, or if you’ve developed ingrown toenails, calluses or other foot problems, don’t try to treat them yourself. And if you have any pain, redness or discoloration that persists, you should have your feet examined by a podiatrist. While most problems can be cleared up with medication or simple, in-office procedures, but neglecting to get medical attention will go a long way toward keeping a minor problem from becoming a major issue.