For most women, high heeled shoes are an accessory. They finish off a look, they make you look taller, and they can make the legs look slimmer than they actually are. There is no doubt about it that high heels really do boost a womans confidence and make them feel ultra sexy. So what exactly is the harm in that?

The Problems High Heeled Shoes Can Cause

Whilst high heeled shoes are not necessarily a danger if they are worn occasionally, consistent use can be a problem. Wearing them for special occasions does not usually present a problem, but when you are wearing them to work, out shopping, and around the house, things can turn nasty!

If you wear high heels you know that often your feet start to really hurt. This is due to the fact that they are permanently in an unnatural position whilst they are in high heels. Not only do your feet start to hurt, but extra pressure is placed on the neck and the back which can cause problems there too including developing problems with posture.

If you wear high heeled shoes for years, the Achilles tendon tends to get shorter. This means that if you ever try wearing flat shoes, you will have problems. This is due to the tendon becoming too short for flat shoes. This can be repaired over time, but with continued use of heels, the problem is only likely to become worse.

The most common foot problems associated with high heels are blisters, corns and calluses. Calluses are generally overly thickened skin patches which can be unsightly. They are usually not harmful but they can cause infections. Blisters are extremely painful and they can take a while to heel. Some blisters are so painful that you cannot walk on them at all. These problems are generally caused by a lot of pressure and crowding of the toes. Most high heeled shoes have really thin soles which do not help the situation either.

A more painful problem which occurs only in women is neuroma. This is a condition which occurs when the feet are forced into really tight and narrow high heeled shoes. The shoes end up pinching a nerve and tissue then starts forming around the nerve which can cause severe pain. Usually this problem occurs in the third or fourth toes and in rarer cases it can affect the soles of the feet. Sometimes if the problem is so severe, surgery may be needed to treat it.

Another obvious problem that heels cause is balance. Boots and shoes with thin high heels, always pose a threat of a fall. If you turn slightly and suddenly, you could be caught off balance and the result could be a twisted ankle or worse.

Another problem which can occur is Haglunds Deformity which occurs in the back of the foot. Usually there is a bony enlargement on the back of the foot and it can become aggravated. This could cause the bump to become inflamed, red and painful.

Finally, hammertoe can occur which is basically the cause of the toes being pushed against the front of the shoe. This causes the toes to bend and curl at the middle joint of the toes.

There are so many problems associated with wearing high heeled shoes but women simply ignore the warnings for cosmetic reasons. You do not have to stop wearing heels permanently but you should limit your use of them to special occasions only. It really is not a joke and in order to take proper care of your feet, the use of high heels does need to be limited. Always check that the shoes are the right size for you as this is often what causes bigger problems. The shoes you do choose should also be comfortable when you try them on, though many women think that they can break the shoes in even if they are uncomfortable at first. This is never a good idea so be sure that they are comfortable right from the start!

Overall women will never stop wearing high heels, but in order to look after their feet, they should really only wear them for special occasions.