The end of summer brings with it the return to the office, the first mid-season looks, and also a small problem that repeats every year. After weeks of wearing sandals, espadrilles and open-toed shoes, slipping the foot back into a ballet flat, a moccasin or ankle boots can be much less pleasant than we remembered.
Heels reddened, toes sore, sensation of pressure or the dreaded blisters are some of the most common discomforts. It is not unusual. During the hot months we change the way we walk and also the type of footwear we use, while the foot can swell more due to high temperatures and sweating increases friction. In fact, specialists point precisely to the change of footwear, the heat and rubbing as some of the factors that promote blister formation.
Why it’s better not to wear new shoes on the first day
During the first days it is advisable to wear them for short periods and alternate them with other pairs that we know won’t hurt us. This makes it easier to detect which areas generate pressure or rubbing before a blister appears.
Moreover, not all closed-toe shoes are the same. Podiatrist Elena López Gaspar explains, via Quirónsalud, that proper footwear should securely hold the foot, be flexible and breathable, and have a sole that provides cushioning.
That is, if a shoe clearly tightens at the toe box, compresses the toes or causes pain from the first moment, trusting that it will simply “give” may not be the best solution.
Protect the areas you know tend to rub
You don’t have to wait for the blister to appear to act. If every year your loafers rub your heel or you know that certain flats irritate a particular toe, you can protect those areas before leaving home.
It’s advisable to pre-cover the areas where blisters tend to form and to use dressings or padded protections that reduce friction. It also advises acting as soon as that heat or stinging sensation appears that usually precedes a blister.
Compeed Anti-Chafing Stick.
The anti-friction sticks can be another practical alternative at specific points, especially when wearing shoes without socks.
The return to closed-toe shoes usually coincides with days when it is still hot, something that can increase sweating inside the footwear. And humidity precisely favors the appearance of blisters.
Therefore, when the type of shoe allows it, socks can become great allies. It is recommended to choose fabrics capable of managing moisture well and to change socks when they are damp, since keeping the foot dry helps to reduce friction.
Carlos Martínez, podiatrist at Policlínica Gipuzkoa and Podoactiva, also advises turning to socks when planning long walks or activities that may generate a lot of rubbing.
Why it’s important to keep your feet well hydrated
After summer it is common for the skin on the heel to be somewhat drier or thicker. Keeping it flexible through regular hydration can help it tolerate rubbing better. Martínez points out that proper skin hydration is exactly among the measures to prevent chafing.
Mixa Ceramide Protect Body Cream.
That said, applying a large amount of cream just before putting on the shoes can make the foot slide too much. A good option is to incorporate it into the nightly routine and pay special attention to heels and other dry areas.
The trick is to transition gradually
After several months of letting a large part of the foot be exposed, switching directly to a rigid shoe for full days is probably the perfect recipe to end up with chafing.
Alternating different pairs, starting with more flexible shoes, protecting the problematic points before discomfort appears, and keeping the feet dry and hydrated can make the return to autumn footwear much more bearable.
Because, even though those loafers, flats or low-heeled shoes we’ve been waiting weeks to wear are part of our first looks back to routine, no shoe deserves to end the day walking on tiptoe.
