Amelia Grant

It's enjoyable to chuckle at old wives' stories and myths. As youngsters, we believed them. However, there are some beliefs that are not to be laughed at, especially when it comes to your health. In this article, we have gathered eight myths about feet that you shouldn't believe in.

1. Heels are the root of all women's foot issues

Even though high heels are not excellent for your feet, many common foot disorders occur at equal rates in people who don't wear them. Heels can certainly hasten foot problems, but the factors that create the foot problem in the first place are also present.

2. The risk of fungal infection increases during the summer

Many people link athlete's foot or toenail fungus with going barefoot around the neighborhood pool or beach changing area. While it is true that fungal diseases are transferred by direct touch, such contact can also take place in a nail shop, gym locker room, or shower. During the colder months, when feet are more likely to be in socks and closed shoes, there is a larger likelihood of feet sitting in a dark, wet environment—the habitat in which these sorts of illnesses thrive.

3. Ingrown toenails can be treated by a pedicurist

Your ingrown toenail should not be handled by a pedicurist. This is because nail salons and whirlpools are bacterial breeding places that can put you in danger of severe illness. If you have an ingrown toenail, the first person you should see is a podiatrist. They are educated and qualified to treat a wide range of foot ailments, from bunions to ingrown toenails.

4. Corns have roots

Corn is a tiny skin buildup created by friction. Many corns are caused by hammertoe, a condition in which the toe knuckle grinds against the shoe. Corn, unlike a callus, has a firm center core. However, corns don't have roots. Attempting to remove a corn at home might result in severe inflammation. A foot doctor can easily evaluate your condition and perform a corn removal.

5. Feet have an unpleasant odor.

Feet do not create odor on their own. However, feet do contain numerous sweat glands, and if feet are kept in confined, heated, and dark surroundings (such as within a shoe), particular bacteria that break down perspiration have a chance to flourish and cause smell (bromodosis). Feet that are exposed to open air, on the other hand, don't allow these germs to flourish, and hence don't produce the typical smell.

6. Toenail fungus is just an aesthetic issue

A toenail fungus is more than just an unsightly appearance. Untreated fungal infections, on the other hand, can cause long-term harm to nails and nail beds. If you detect a change in the color or texture of your toenails, especially if they have thickened, turned yellow, or become otherwise discolored, you should see your foot doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

7. Once you reach adulthood, your feet don't change anymore

Your feet will undoubtedly alter throughout the course of your life. Arches, for example, can rise or fall. When women get pregnant, the hormone relaxin causes their feet to widen and lengthen. This can lead to a variety of problems. The good news is that we can generally reverse these effects and cause the foot to return to a similar size later on.

8. Bunions are caused by shoes

Bunions are most commonly caused by a hereditary flaw in the foot's structure. The bunion itself is not hereditary, but certain foot types render a person more prone to developing one. While shoes that squeeze the toes together might make bunions more uncomfortable over time, shoes don't cause bunions. Although various therapies can alleviate bunions' pain, only surgery can fix the condition.