Happy Feet: The Healthy, Pretty, Pain-Free Foot Care Guide

4 Big Fat Feet Lies

Surprising misconceptions -- finally set straight:

Lie #1: Flip-flops are totally foot-friendly.

They may seem ideal, but traditional flip-flops don't have support or cushioning. So chances are, your feet will hurt after walking in them for a few hours, says Jim Christina, director of scientific affairs for the American Podiatric Medical Association. In fact, wearing flip-flops for long periods can lead to tendinitis, arch pain, and ankle sprains.

Lie #2: Foot size and width stay pretty much the same.

Pregnancy, weight gain, even the simple fact of aging can cause ligaments in your feet to stretch, making them potentially a half to a whole size larger, says Donald Bohay, MD, an associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Michigan State University.

Lie #3: Some foot pain is completely normal.

"Definitely not!" says Dr. Ross. Any discomfort means that you need to wear different shoes, give your feet a rest, or change the surface you're exercising on (by switching to a treadmill, for example, which is more forgiving than concrete or pavement).

Lie #4: The best athlete's foot prevention is wearing flip-flops in the locker room.

It helps, but what really causes this virus to grow and spread is trapping your feet in a moist environment (like sweaty socks or sneakers that aren't well-ventilated) after being exposed to it. Immediately after exercise, swap your sneakers out for a pair of treads.