Definition: Toecaps provide a protective covering over toes. This could be necessitated by breaks in the skin but they are used most often by those with ingrown toenails, as well as hammer, mallet, claw and overlapping toes to prevent rubbing on the top and bottom of the toes. Toecaps come in gel, foam, nylon and wool, depending upon the brand, and in different sizes. Gel toecaps secrete oil that moistens as it protects. There are some who are allergic to this oil.
Diabetics are advised not to wear toecaps unless specifically approved by their physician because toecaps tend to crowd and reduce space in the shoe, increasing moisture and an environment where bacteria thrive. A better alternative is to wear extra depth, double or triple depth shoes or shoes with stretchable uppers. Toecaps are thick and crowd the toe box more when a crowded tow box is usually causing the problem in the first place.
Benefits: Those who wear these regularly swear by them but as noted above, it is better to wear shoes that won’t aggravate or cause these problems.
Text: Copyright 2005-2010 Carole Romig Image: Pedifix.com