Who doesn’t love the excitement of slipping into a brand-new pair of shoes? Whether it’s heels, sneakers, or flats, new shoes can instantly lift your mood and style. But nothing ruins that joy faster than the dreaded shoe bites!
The discomfort can make even the most stylish pair a nightmare. But it doesn’t have to be that way! With the right strategies, you can easily learn how to avoid shoe bites and enjoy your shoes without any pain.
In this guide, we’ll share proven shoe bite hacks, from how to avoid shoe bites altogether to quick fixes that keep blisters at bay.
How To Avoid Shoe Bites
Before we step into knowing how to prevent a shoe bite, first understand what a shoe bite is.
For those unaware, shoe bites are painful sores or blisters that develop on the skin when shoes rub against your feet. They can happen to anyone but are majorly found with women due to heels. Shoe bites can cause bumps and rashes on your skin and make walking uncomfortable.
Majorly, shoe bites are caused due to tight or ill-fitting footwear. Did you know that 60% of people experience blisters or discomfort from ill-fitting shoes within the first week of wearing them?
But the good news is, shoe bites don’t have to be part of your story! Here are some easy actionable steps to avoid shoe bites:
- Apply Shoe Tapes – A study was conducted on marathon athletes, and paper tape was applied randomly before the race. The result shocked everyone. The paper tape successfully reduced blisters by 40%.
- Use Padded Insoles: Inappropriate footwear is one of the significant causes of foot ulceration. Nearly 2/3rd of shoe bites are due to shoe straps or hard mid-soles. This is why you must opt for padded insoles. These soft insoles cushion your feet and reduce the pressure points that can cause shoe bites.
- Wear Socks: Opt for moisture-wicking socks that help reduce friction and prevent blisters.
- Gradually Break in New Shoes: It can take a while for your new shoes to loosen up. Try to occasionally wear them for short periods to allow the material to soften and adjust to your feet.
- Use Blister Pads: Blister pads or silicone heel cushions can protect sensitive areas from rubbing.
How To Choose The Right Footwear to Avoid Shoe Bites
Choosing shoes that fit well is crucial in preventing shoe bites. Look for:
- Shoes with Soft, Breathable Materials: Use soft foam material shoes. Leather and fabric shoes tend to be softer and cause less friction.
- Proper Shoe Size: Avoid shoes that are too tight or too loose. Ill-fitting shoes often cause the most shoe bites.
- Design Features: Shoes with padding or additional cushioning in areas like the heel or toe box are more comfortable.
How To Avoid Shoe Bite From New Shoes
New shoes often cause more shoe bites as the materials haven’t conformed to your foot shape yet. So, while purchasing, always select the correct footwear size that fits you well. Make sure it’s neither too rigid nor too loose.
Besides these preliminary precautions, here’s how to avoid shoe bites from new shoes:
- Use Breaking-In Techniques – New shoes can be tempting, but to avoid shoe bites, you must break them in gradually. Wear new shoes for short intervals around your house to help them stretch as per your feet.
- Wear Socks – Layer yourself with thin socks while wearing new shoes. Do this during the break-in period to soften them up.
- Consider Buying Quality Material – Wearing stiff heels can make you more prone to bites. Instead, opt for soft and comfortable footwear with durable material.
- Protective Products: You can use products like blister pads or silicone heel cups. They provide a protective layer between your skin and prevent shoe biting.
What To Apply On New Shoes To Avoid Shoe Bites
Here’s what to apply on new shoes to avoid shoe bites:
- Protector Pads – Protector pads are designed to provide gentle cushioning and protection from skin blisters. Stick these heel pads at the back of your shoes.
- Talcum Powder – Sprinkle it inside your shoes to reduce friction movements.
- Shoe Insoles – Insoles are peanut-shaped foams that are applied to new shoes. Moreover, they help you if your shoe size is big.
What Are Specific Products Or Remedies For Shoe Bites?
If you’ve already developed a shoe bite, don’t worry—we have 5 simple remedies to help you heal faster:
- Use Aloe Vera Gel – Aloe Vera has cooling and healing properties. Applying it directly to the affected area can soothe irritation and speed up healing.
- Coconut Oil: Apply a small amount of coconut oil to the edges of your heels or shoes that are causing blisters. Continue this for a few days to heal irritation and make your shoes less abrasive.
- Apply Honey – Honey is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. Dabbing honey on the affected area of blisters can help reduce its effects.
- Ice Packs: If the affected area is swollen or painful, applying an ice pack can reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Bloy Dry your shoes – To stretch snug-fitting leather shoes, wear thick socks and use a blow dryer on tight areas for 20-30 seconds. The heat softens the material, allowing it to mould better to your feet.
- Freeze Your Shoes – Lastly, freezing shoes can help break them in. Fill plastic bags with water and place them in your shoes. Then, put the shoes in the freezer overnight. The expanding ice will gently stretch the material.
Does Vaseline Stop Shoes From Rubbing?
Dry skin can cause itchiness and can get more prone to friction, exacerbating the risk of shoe bites. Hence, keeping your feet moisturized can help a long way. One such moisture is Vaseline.
Yes, Vaseline – the OG petroleum jelly that has worked wonders, can help stop shoes from rubbing. Vaseline can help reduce friction and avoid blisters as well.
To apply, simply:
- Rub a small amount of Vaseline on the areas of the shoe that tend to rub against your skin, like the heel or sides.
- Let it absorb for a few minutes before wearing the shoes.
Vaseline acts as a barrier, softening the shoe material and reducing the chance of blisters.
What Are The Causes Of Shoe Bites
The causes of shoe bites can be many. But the main reasons for their occurrence are as follows:
Incorrect Shoe Fit
Shoes that are too tight or too loose are one of the main reasons for shoe bites. Tight shoes press against your skin, causing irritation, while loose shoes move around too much, leading to rubbing.
Bad Shoe Material
Shoes made from hard leather or synthetic materials are harsher on the skin. Such rough materials, especially in new shoes, can cause friction.
Shoe Design
Some shoe designs, like high heels or shoes with rigid seams, can dig into some regions of your feet, making you more prone to shoe bites.
Wearing New Shoes
New shoes tend to cause abrasion between your feet and shoe, leading to bumps, redness, blisters or even open wounds.
Why Do New Shoes Often Cause Shoe Bites?
We saw how new shoes cause shoe blisters. But why does this happen? This is because the material of a brand-new shoe hasn’t softened, and the shoe hasn’t adjusted to your foot shape yet.
The new shoes are generally stiff and unyielding, and that’s the primary reason they cause shoe bites. But there’s more to it:
- Poor Ventilation: New shoes often lack flexibility, causing your feet to sweat, which increases friction.
- Tight or Improper Fit: New shoes might feel snug initially, especially if they haven’t moulded to your feet, leading to blisters.
To Minimize Shoe Bites with New Shoes, you can –
- Try to break in
- Use a shoe stretcher to loosen tight shoes
- Apply anti-friction balms to your feet to prevent swelling
- Use padded inserts to protect your heels and toes
How Long Do Shoe Bites Take To Heal?
Shoe bites usually heal within a week, but more severe ones can take longer. To speed up recovery:
- Apply Soothing Creams: Use antibiotic or healing ointments to prevent infection and promote healing.
Keep the Area Clean: Wash the area with mild soap and water and cover it with a bandage.
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Avoid Shoe Bites
To prevent shoe bites, always ensure that your shoes are the right size, made from comfortable materials, and properly broken in before wearing them for long periods.
- Always check your shoe size and material
- Layer your new footwear with thin socks
- Wear new shoes in breaks to stretch the material
