Do you take your foot health for granted? 75% of Americans will experience foot problems at some point in their lives. Foot problems become more common as you age.

You spent years walking and running. You likely wore uncomfortable shoes that may not have fit properly. All of this will impact your foot health as you age, resulting in aching feet.

Aching feet are a nuisance as it is, but did you know foot pain can lead to a myriad of different problems?

Do you always say, "my feet always hurt?" Here are 5 problems associated with aging, aching feet and how to improve your foot health.

1. Bunions

A bunion is a bony bump that appears on the inside of your foot, near your big toe. These are often described as painful; some bunions are so severe that they change your foot's structure.

Bunions develop slowly. That's because the big toe joint is forced to lean toward the second toe. If the problem persists, a bunion forms.

The most common causes of bunions include ill-fitting shoes and wearing high heels too often.

2. Hammertoes

One of the reasons you could experience foot pain is because of weakened foot muscles. If your foot muscles become severely weak, you could develop hammertoes.

Hammertoes point upward because of the pressure forced on the joints and tendons. This condition only increases your foot pain, making it difficult to wear shoes.

3. Flat Feet

As you age, the ligaments in your feet can stretch out. While this is often normal, it can flatten out the natural arch in your feet.

Without that supportive arch, your ankles can experience pain and swelling. You may also experience issues with your hips and knees. Physical activity will become difficult, often painful.

4. Corns and Calluses

Corns and calluses are usually lumped in the same category, but they're slightly different.

Calluses are thick patches of skin that protect parts of the foot. While calluses are normal, they can be painful. Your calluses can get even more painful with friction, such as brushing against your shoes.

Corns are a type of callus. They're made of dead skin and usually form on the side of your toes. They're usually small in size and are circular.

Corns can be hard or soft. Hard corns usually form on bony areas of the foot and soft corns form on the areas that hold moisture.

Corns and calluses are both not dangerous, though they can be uncomfortable and painful. But if they worsen, they can get infected or form ulcerations. This is common in those with poor blood circulation in the feet, such as those with diabetes.

5. Arthritis

Over 49% of those aged 65 years and older reported they have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. You can develop arthritis in many places, including your feet. Most patients experience arthritis in the joints of the feet as well as the ankle joints.

6. Toenail Issues

Toenail issues can happen for many reasons. For example, many people stub their toe or toenail, which is when you kick your toe against a solid object. This causes pain in the toe, though the pain lasts briefly.

Many seniors have difficulty maintaining their toes, making the toenails grow out long and thick. Failure to maintain your toenails can cause them to become painful and may even start cracking.

In severe cases, seniors can develop an ingrown toenail. Since aging toenails are thicker, there's an increased risk of developing an ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails occur when the corner or edge of your toenail grows into the surrounding skin.

Most individuals experience pain, swelling, and redness. If an ingrown toenail is left untreated, it can get infected.

What You Can Do?

If you're experiencing any of these issues, it's best to address them immediately.

Each of these problems has its own solutions; for example, some issues you can treat at home using foot soaks and taking over-the-counter pain medications to control the pain. However, some issues require a doctor's visit.

If you have foot pain but don't have these issues, there are ways you can prevent your foot pain from becoming more severe.

Start by taking care of yourself. Eat a healthy diet and lose weight. If you're active, wear the proper footwear.

These measures can also help prevent ailments, such as diabetes.

Properly maintain your feet. This includes soaking and moisturizing them, clipping your toenails, and regularly washing your socks. Check your feet and look for ingrown toenails and other visible problems.

You'll also want to wear comfortable shoes that fit well. Many of these issues, such as bunions, occur when you wear ill-fitting and uncomfortable shoes. Certain shoes can also increase the risk of these issues occurring, such as flip-flops.

Which Shoes Should You Wear?

What are the best shoes for foot pain and for specific issues?

For aching feet, the secret is in the material. Italian Nappa soft leather is one of the most recommended materials. These shoes are soft and mold to the feet.

Ostrich exotic skin shoes are also highly recommended. This leather is high-quality and extremely comfortable.

Deerskin is another great option for foot pain. This type of leather is naturally soft and stretchable, perfect for foot support. Even though deerskin is soft, it's also very durable. Your deerskin shoes will last a long time.

Keep in mind, those with certain foot conditions will need shoe recommendations and inserts recommended by their doctor.

"My Feet Always Hurt!" Shop for Shoes to Help Your Foot Pain

Do you find yourself saying, "my feet always hurt?" It's important you know what's causing your foot pain, especially if you're a senior. If foot pain persists, it can lead to severe issues, including arthritis and bunions.

While certain foot issues require a doctor's visit, simply switching your shoes can dramatically reduce your foot pain. Wearing comfortable shoes that fit correctly can also prevent many of the foot issues we discussed.

Are you looking for better shoes? We sell high-quality shoes for both men and women.

You can find casual and luxury shoes as well as boots in our collection. Take a look at our catalog!