Wearing high-heeled shoes can create an excellent fashion statement and can make your legs look longer and more attractive, but frequent use of these shoes may have negative effects on your nails during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, women are recommended to take extra care of their bodies, and this includes their feet. One of the easiest things to do is to avoid wearing high-heeled shoes. In this article, we will discuss the harmful effects of high-heeled shoes on nails during pregnancy.

Increased Pressure on Feet

Wearing high-heeled shoes increases the pressure on the feet and can restrict blood flow. During pregnancy, the increased pressure can cause spider veins or varicose veins.

When blood flow is disrupted, vital nutrients, enzymes, and oxygen may not reach the nails. Nails grow slowly during pregnancy, and it could take longer for them to recover from damage or infections. Pregnant women should avoid high heels to promote proper blood flow around their feet and nails.

Ingrown Nails

Ingrown nails occur when the nail grows into the skin surrounding it. High-heeled shoes can cause the toes to be pushed forward, putting pressure on the nails, and causing the nail to dig into the skin.

While this is possible for everyone, pregnant women are more susceptible to ingrown nails as they already have swollen feet. They should avoid wearing high-heeled shoes that put pressure on the toenails. Ingrown nails can be especially difficult to treat during pregnancy as some antibiotics can harm the baby.

Fungal infections

Fungal infections thrive in warm and moist environments. High-heeled shoes make your feet sweat, and regular use can cause these shoes to become moist, making it easy for bacteria and fungus to thrive.

When the toenails become infected, they may become discolored, thick, and brittle. Nails can lift off the nail bed, become fragile, and break easily. During pregnancy, the immune system is weaker, and the body may take longer to recover from infections.

Pregnant women should choose shoes made of breathable materials to reduce the risk of developing fungal infections.

Bunions

Bunions are a bony outgrowth that causes the big toe to move towards the rest of the toes. High-heeled shoes that push the weight of the body forward may cause the toes to be squeezed together, leading to bunions.

In some women, bunions can be painful and may require surgery to remove them. During pregnancy, it is best to avoid shoes that put pressure on the toes and cause bunions.

Joint pain

High-heeled shoes cause the weight of the body to be distributed unevenly, causing the knees, ankles, and toes to take on more weight than they can handle. This can cause joint pain and increase the risk of injury during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, a woman’s joints already have extra pressure from carrying the extra weight of the baby, so it is best to avoid wearing high-heeled shoes.

Decreased Balance

High-heeled shoes make it difficult for a woman to maintain her balance. They reduce stability and can cause falls, which is particularly dangerous during pregnancy.

A fall can cause complications and injury during pregnancy, potentially affecting both the mother and the baby.

Edema and Swelling

Swollen ankles and feet are a common symptom during pregnancy. Wearing high-heeled shoes could cause more pressure on the feet, which may aggravate edema, leading to discomfort and pain.

Nerve Damage

When the toes are squeezed together, it can lead to nerve damage. During pregnancy, nerve damage can be severe because the effects of pregnancy hormones can worsen the condition.

Nerve damage can lead to numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in the affected part of the body, which may not recover entirely. Therefore, high-heeled shoes that cause pressure on the toes should be avoided.

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are swollen veins that are twisted and raised on the surface of the skin. Wearing high-heeled shoes can worsen the symptoms of varicose veins.

During pregnancy, the increased pressure on the veins can lead to the development of varicose veins, which can cause discomfort and pain. Wearing comfortable shoes with a low heel can increase circulation and reduce the risk of developing varicose veins.

Conclusion

Pregnancy is a time when women should take good care of their bodies. Wearing high-heeled shoes can cause serious health problems for the feet and nails during pregnancy.

Such problems include ingrown nails, fungal infections, tenderness, nerve damage, varicose veins, and loss of balance. Pregnant women should consider using shoes that offer comfort and support and avoid high-heeled shoes altogether.