Use of Toe Caps for Foot Protection

A broken or irritated toe can be painful and annoying. Surgery to correct toe problems, including breaks, can require lengthy recovery and impede the ability to work. Many toe injuries can be avoided by wearing toe caps, which provide safety and protection against injury.

Shoes with Built-In Caps

• Tough boots

  Many different styles of shoe, from work boots to sporty sneakers, have built-in toe caps to provide protection from falling objects, punctures and other dangers. Certain workplaces, such as warehouses and construction sites, require employees to have shoes with toe protection, though having a pair of toe cap shoes on hand is just a smart idea. They can be worn when carrying heavy items or to a concert where another attendee's misstep could crush a bystander's foot. Toe caps can also help prevent injuries to toenails, which can be extremely painful, particularly when blood becomes trapped under the nail. Such injuries can neccesitate surgical removal the afflicted nail, a painful and slow healing procedure, as toenails can take up to 3 months to grow back. Steel toe boots can be purchased online and in many shoestores.

For Sport and Comfort

• Silicone toe caps don't provide the same protection as their steel counterparts, but are worn for different purposes, preventing corns, a thick callus which forms on the toe and irritates underlying tissues. Such caps also help prevent painful blisters and correct overlapping of the toes, which can can eventually contribute to the development of arthritis. There are also foam caps available, but silicone usually lasts longer and doesn't absorb odor and sweat the way foam can. Websites, shoe stores, and pharmacies often have a selection of toe caps for sale.

Alternatives

• Special needs for feet

  Those seeking toe-protection but who find steel toed boots and shoes to be uncomfortable might appreciation external caps that slip on over any pair of shoes and provide a buffer against injury, like a jammed toe, which can cause tearing of ligaments in the foot. External models are an excellent option for wearers of special shoes (such as orthopedic shoes) who may not find steel-toe footwear suited to their specific needs.