5 Foot Care Myths You Can Dismiss Forever

When it comes to the health of our feet, the daily details we remember are cleanliness, wearing shoes and exercising. Still, there’s so much misinformation out there about these amazing body parts! Common myths about basic foot care abound, so let’s put some of them to rest:

Myth #1: Foot pain is inevitable as we get older.
Yes, many conditions cause foot pain – arthritis, inflammation that causes plantar fasciitis, toe deformities, and bursitis, to name a few. The myth, however, is that you have to suffer, and you don’t simply have to put up with foot pain. Clifton Foot & Ankle Center treats all problems of the feet and ankles with the latest technology and methods, all helping to keep you pain-free.

Myth #2: Having dirty feet causes warts.
Warts, or plantar warts that appear on your feet, are caused by a virus, not because you didn’t take a bath. The virus enters your skin through cuts on your feet. Even microscopic cuts create a gateway for the virus, which you can pick up while walking barefoot in public pool areas and gyms. Wear flip-flops or shoes to protect yourself from these types of viruses.

Myth #3: If you can walk after a foot injury, you don’t need medical help.
The first cousin to this myth is “You can’t do anything for a broken toe.” You should consult our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm, for any toe, foot, or ankle injury that doesn’t get better after a couple of days. Prompt treatment can mean the difference between a simple fix and something challenging to treat and gives you long-lasting pain.

Myth #4: All shoe inserts are the same.
Inserts, also called orthotics, are designed to reduce foot pressure and pain. Custom orthotics, which we offer here at our office in Centreville, Virginia, are molded to your foot, providing a precise fit. Over-the-counter inserts are generic, and they may not last as long nor provide as much targeted comfort and pain relief as custom orthotics.

Myth #5: Wearing high heels will give you bunions.
A person is predisposed to developing bunions because of their genetics. Wearing high heels can hasten the process or make existing bunions worse. But it’s inaccurate to say that high heels directly cause bunions to form.

Bypass the myths and go straight to the facts about proper foot care at our Fairfax County podiatry office. Make an appointment with Dr. Wilhelm online or call (703) 996-3000.