If there is one thing that we here at Chic Pedi despise it is ill-fitting shoes or new footwear that hurts your feet. Life is too short to be wearing uncomfortable shoes or experiencing pain especially when it involves shoe bites. So what can you do to stop the discomfort? Well, we are going to tell you what to apply on new shoes to prevent shoe bite so that you can wear your new footwear in comfort.
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What is Shoe Bite?
A shoe bite is a term used to describe the redness, marks, or eventually blisters that form on your feet due to friction from new shoes. As new shoes tend to be stiff and inflexible and haven’t molded to your foot shape they can rub against your skin and cause a painful burning sensation which can mark your skin or cause inflammation and blisters. These marks can turn into shoe bite scars.
Nobody wants to experience a blistered or painful area on their feet because it causes difficulty walking and will prevent you from wearing certain shoes. Therefore finding shoe bite prevention methods is important if you are to avoid a whole world of foot pain.
Why Shoe Bite Happens
To prevent shoe bite it makes sense for your to firstly understand why this common phenomenon occurs. We know that there are a few standard reasons why the problem exists and if you know what these are you can prevent shoe bite in the future.
The top reasons for shoe bite include:
- Buying new shoes that don’t fit properly or are the wrong size.
- Wearing Leather Shoes that have not been broken in.
- Having foot deformities that mean your feet rub against the material of a standard shoe.
- Friction is caused by ill-fitting shoes or sweaty feet.
New footwear is the number one cause of shoe bites but with some simple tips, we can show you what to apply on new shoes to prevent shoe bite so that you can avoid the problem in the first place.
How Do You Stop New Shoes From Biting?
So now you know what causes shoe bites what can you do to prevent them from happening in the first place? Well, the first place to start is when you are buying a new pair of shoes.
You can prevent shoe bites right at the start of your purchase journey by taking your time when you buy a new pair of shoes. Don’t rush when you buy shoes. Instead, visit a number of shoe shops and try on a number of different shoes before making your choice. This is a simple solution for shoe bite right at the start of your purchase journey.
Just because you may believe that you are a certain shoe size that isn’t always the case. Every brand has a slightly different fit which means that you may be one size in one shop and a completely different size in another. This means that you should always go by how the shoe fits rather than the number on the shoe.
Remember to always buy your shoes in the afternoon rather than in the morning. This is because your feet swell slightly as the day goes on. This means that comfortable shoes that you try on first thing may not seem nearly so comfortable later on.
Oh and never be tempted to buy a new pair of shoes that are even slightly uncomfortable when you try them on in the shop. That pinch or annoyance in the store can soon turn into a shoe bite scar when you get them home.
The Best Shoe Bite Hacks Include Wearing In Your New Shoes
When you do get your new shoes home the next thing you need to think about is wearing them in. This is an easy way to avoid shoe bite with new shoes.
That means putting them on your feet for small periods of time and allowing your shoes to mold to your feet gradually. This makes more sense than trying to wear them for a long walk and coming home with your feet in agony and covered in shoe bite marks.
As part of this wearing in process, it makes sense to wear some thick socks when you are at home in your shoes to allow a little more expansion.
When you wear socks with your new shoes you are going to be protecting your feet from any initial rubbing and friction which are causing shoe bites in the first place. Wear thick socks in your shoes or alternatively two thinner pairs of socks when you initially wear your shoes out and the chances of you developing blisters will diminish.
You can also buy anti-blister socks that have been designed specifically for the purpose of keeping your feet injury free.
What To Apply On New Shoes To Avoid Shoe Bite – Shoe Bite Protection Methods
Of course, not all shoes work well with socks which brings us to the next of our shoe bite hacks that work well and that is to use products that help to remove the friction.
If you want to start with a specially created product then look no further than Dr Scholls Blister Prevention Stick which is a great product you can buy on Amazon to deal with shoe bites.
This product looks a bit like a deodorant stick and all you need to do is rub the product on the areas where your shoes are pinching or rubbing. When the product is on the affected area you should find that your shoes will now glide over the skin easily without creating pain or marks.
Just remember to top up the product throughout the day in a thin layer as it does start to wear off after a few hours.
Avoid Shoe Friction with Petroleum Jelly
If you want to know how to prevent shoe bite and you haven’t got time to buy a blister defense stick then another household product that is great for stopping the friction from shoes is petroleum jelly.
Petroleum jelly is something that is simple, easy, and cheap to use. Just take some and start to rub it on the affected foot area. You should now have an effective blister prevention method as petroleum jelly will allow your shoes to glide over your skin instead of rubbing it and making it sore.
Oil Your Shoes To Prevent Your Feet Rubbing Against Your Footwear
This next way to avoid shoe bite needs to be used with caution and is really only suitable for leather shoes. If you are going to use our next tip then we suggest that you test the products on a small inside area of your shoes first in case they mark the leather.
Oiling your shoes on the inside is our next tip as this can help to soften the leather, particularly around the heel area which is one of the main areas where friction occurs. You can apply coconut oil, castor oil, or olive oil in small amounts and you should find that the leather on your shoe becomes more flexible.
Just be careful with these products especially on lighter-colored leather as you may get spotting or marks if used on the outside of your footwear.
Whilst olive oil may seem cheap it is probably better to pay a little bit extra and buy some Kiwi Leather Conditioner which has been specially created for shoes and does the same job.
How to Stop Shoe Bite Marks
Our next solution is a relatively simple one and that involves using a shoe bite protector. This could involve using a band-aid or surgical tape on your feet in the areas where you feel the shoes starting to rub.
A band-aid is a simple but effective tool that is simple and easy to use. They work because they protect any sensitive skin and form a barrier to prevent your shoe from digging into your foot. They are also versatile because they can be placed in different areas around the foot.
A similar solution is to use shoe pads or moleskin which can be stuck to problem areas in your shoes. These adhesive pads provide cushioning in the areas that are causing your problems. Just insert shoe pads on any affected area such as the heels, side of your shoes or even underneath the shoe tongue.
Simple Home Remedies For Shoe Bites
An easy way to do this without visiting a cobbler is to stretch your shoes so that they fit better. Shoe stretchers are relatively easy to buy now and will allow you to do the job at home. Just make sure that you buy a four-way stretcher as that gives you more options. Four-way stretchers don’t just help you stretch the size of your shoe but the width as well.
If you can’t afford a shoe stretcher you can double bag some freezer bags and partially fill them with water before sealing. Now pop them in your shoes placing them in the area where you have a problem.
Place your shoes in another plastic bag to protect them and place them in the freezer. As the water freezes it will expand and stretch your shoe.
Take your shoes out of the freezer and allow the water to melt before removing the bags and you should have a pair of shoes that is a better fit.
How to Protect Your Toes From Blisters and Rubbing
Whilst many people might associate shoe bites with the skin around the heels or at the side of your foot, many people forget that your toes can also suffer.
If you have toe deformities such as hammer toes or bunions then you are more likely to suffer from friction and rubbing because your foot doesn’t match your shoe shape. If you want to know how to avoid shoe bite in these areas then you need to protect your toes and think about buying toe caps or toe protectors to shield those problem areas.
There are tons of different types of toe protectors on the market and many can even be cut to size so that they meet your specific needs. These toe caps are a perfect example of a product that can help provide cushioning in closed shoes and stop blisters and shoe bites.
Use This Shoe Bite Treatment at Home
If it is too late and you have already got sore skin then your next step is treating your shoe bites to minimise your pain and inconvenience.
There are plenty of home remedies available that you can use as well as shop-bought products that work really well.
We love Dancers Dots which are great if you have shoe bites that aren’t very large. Whilst these are designed for dancers who do pointe work they are also a great way for everyone else as well.
These are cushioned gel pads that help to cool the skin and give instant relief when you are feeling those sore spots. If you already have a wound they will protect it but they can also be used to prevent blisters or shoe bites in the first place.
How to Cure Shoe Bite Blisters With These Home Remedies
Finally, if you want some simple home remedies to help treat shoe bites then all of our following suggestions can work.
Our favorite of all of them is to buy some aloe vera gel and apply it to the shoe bit to cool and soothe the area. Aloe vera gel is simple and easy to use and is known to help rashes and calm burning skin. In fact, many people use it for sunburn!
Seven Minerals Gel has thousands of positive reviews so it is a great brand to use if you want to try and treat the shoe bite yourself.
If you don’t have any aloe vera gel in the house then other simple home remedies can also work. Many people swear by putting honey on their wounds as it helps to heal the affected skin and has antibiotic properties.
Finally, if you just want something to soothe the area and take down the swelling then rubbing the impacted skin with an ice cube will also work. Whilst this won’t heal the wound it can give you temporary relief which can make all the difference.
Just remember that prevention is easier than a cure so learn about what to apply on new shoes to prevent shoe bite in the first place.
More Articles to Prevent Sore Feet
How to Prevent Sandals Rubbing the Top Of Your Foot
How to Stop Flip Flops Hurting Between Toes
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