“Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” – Marilyn Monroe

A new pair of shoes cannot hurt anyone, what does hurt is the shoe bite that those tight shoes leave behind. Shoe bites are the painful sores that result from your skin continually rubbing against the edges of tight or poorly fitting shoes.

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Not only do they mar the appearance of your freshly pedicured feet, but they also make it difficult for you to stand or strut around. Sometimes shoe bites can also result in inflammation, swelling, pain and unsightly dark spots.

Home Remedies to Get Rid of a Shoe Bite
Shoe bites can lead to painful sores

The first step to get rid of a shoe bite is to stop wearing those tight shoes until the wound has healed completely. However, if those new shoes are a pair of Manolos, it can be challenging to keep your hands off them.

Don’t be disheartened. We’ve got you covered. There are some pretty easy hacks to break in those tight shoes, without spending an extra dime. Also, if you are already in pain due to a shoe bite, you can use natural remedies to heal the bite and prevent scarring.

Read on to learn 10 useful hacks to prevent as well as get rid of a shoe bite.

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Prevent a Shoe Bite

Method 1: Band-Aid or Duct Tape

The easiest way to prevent a shoe bite is to cushion your skin to avoid any friction. A Band-Aid can come in handy here. Not only will it prevent a shoe bite, but it will also help heal an existing one.

You can also use duct tape for this purpose, but only if you don’t already have a sore.

Single-Step Method: Stick a Band-Aid or duct tape

Stick a Band-Aid or a piece of duct tape where you might get sores to prevent or treat shoe bites
Stick a Band-Aid or a piece of duct tape where you might get sores
  • Stick a Band-Aid or a piece of duct tape where you might get sores from the ankle straps or the edge of the shoes.

Method 2: Double Socks

Create a buffer between your skin and the shoe by wearing an extra pair of socks. It will also provide extra warmth in the winter, so that can be a win-win.

Single-Step Method: Wear two pairs of socks

Put on 2 pairs of socks to prevent or treat shoe bites
Put on 2 pairs of socks
  • Put on 2 pairs of socks and then slide into your shoes. Doing this will help prevent a shoe bite and also help loosen the shoe.

Method 3: Heat

You can use some heat to stretch out your shoes. However, use the heat treatment only on leather or suede shoes. It can damage shoes made of other materials, and you don’t want to end up with a pair of tight and ruined shoes.

Things you’ll need:

things you need to prevent or treat shoe bites

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  • Blow-dryer
  • Thick socks
  • Tight shoes

Step 1. Put on a pair of thick socks

Put on a pair of thick socks to treat shoe bite
Put on a pair of thick socks
  • Put on a pair of thick socks. If you don’t have thick socks, put on 2 or 3 pairs of regular socks. The tighter the shoes, the thicker your socks should be.
  • Slip on your tight shoes.

Step 2. Blow-dry the tight areas of the shoes

Blow-dry the tight sections of your shoes and try on the shoes to test the fit to treat shoe bite
Blow-dry the tight sections of your shoes
  • Blow-dry the tight sections of your shoes wiggle your toes and flex your feet to stretch the material.
  • Switch off the heat and keep wearing the shoes until they cool off.
  • Remove the socks and try on the shoes to test the fit.

The shoes should now fit comfortably. If you need to loosen them further, repeat the process.

Shoes will now fit comfortably to treat shoe bite
Shoes will now fit comfortably

Method 4: Candle Wax

Apply wax on the hard edges of the shoe to smooth out the areas and prevent shoe bites. Be generous with the wax, as it will wither off soon and the shoe might bite again.

Single-Step Method: Rub candle wax on the hard edges of the shoes

Apply wax on the hard edges of the shoe to treat shoe bite
Apply wax on the hard edges of the shoe
  • Rub clean candle wax on the areas of the shoes that are causing discomfort.
  • Repeat whenever the shoes begin to hurt.

Do it for a couple of days until the shoe stretches and stops hurting.

Method 5: Freezing

Another quick hack to prevent shoe bites is by putting a bag of water inside them and freezing it to loosen up the shoes. The water will expand upon freezing, and in turn, stretch your shoes.

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Things you’ll need:

Things you'll need to treat shoe bite

  • Large ziplock bags
  • Water
  • Tight shoes

Step 1. Fill the ziplock bags with water

Fill 2 large ziplock bags with water to treat shoe bite
Fill 2 large ziplock bags with water
  • Fill 2 large ziplock bags with enough water to fill up the toe cap of the shoe. If you want to expand the whole shoe, prepare 2 bags for each shoe.
  • Squeeze out all the air and seal the bags.

Step 2. Insert the water bags into your shoes and freeze them

Place the shoes with ziplock bags in the freezer to treat shoe bite
Place the shoes with ziplock bags in the freezer for 4-8 hours
  • Place the bags of water inside your shoes.
  • Put the shoes in the freezer for 4 to 8 hours, to allow the water to freeze.

Step 3. Remove the ice bags and check the fit

Remove the ice bags from the shoes and put them on to check their fit to treat shoe bite
Remove the ice bags from the shoes and put them on to check their fit
  • Once the water has turned to ice, remove the bags and put them on to check their fit.
  • If needed, repeat the process to stretch them further until they are comfortable to wear.

Treat a Shoe Bite

Method 6: Dry Powder

More often than not, shoe bites happen when your feet sweat, leading to friction and ultimately a nasty lesion. The powder will not only keep your feet dry but also reduce burning and irritation if there is an existing sore.

Single-Step Method: Apply dry powder on your feet

Apply dry powder on areas that are prone to a shoe bite to treat shoe bite
Apply dry powder on areas that are prone to a shoe bite
  • Apply any dry powder on areas that are prone to a shoe bite.
  • You can also coat an existing sore with the powder to prevent it from rubbing against the tight edges of the shoe and causing pain.

Continue doing so several times throughout the day to keep your feet dry and get rid of a shoe bite.

Method 7: Vaseline

Smear some petroleum jelly on the sore on your foot and doze off to get rid of the shoe bite overnight. The jelly forms a protective layer on your bruised skin, nourishing it and relieving the pain within a few hours. You can also make petroleum free jelly at home.

Single-Step Method: Apply Vaseline on the shoe bite

Apply Vaseline on the shoe bite and leave it overnight to treat shoe bite
Apply vaseline on the shoe bite and leave it on overnight
  • Before going to bed, apply a generous amount of petroleum jelly on the shoe bite.
  • Leave it overnight. You can leave it as is or put on a pair of socks to prevent the jelly from rubbing off onto your bedsheets.

If your skin doesn’t heal after the first night, apply it 2 or 3 more nights to heal your skin completely.

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Method 8: Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can also be used to get rid of a shoe bite, as it acts as an excellent moisturizing agent. It nourishes the skin and aids in faster recovery. It is also antibacterial and prevents any infection from developing in the wound.

Since coconut oil makes your skin soft and smooth, it also prevents further shoe bites caused by dry skin rubbing against the shoe.

Single-Step Method: Apply coconut oil on the shoe bite

Apply coconut oil to heal a shoe bite
Apply coconut oil to heal a shoe bite
  • Apply coconut oil over the bruised skin and massage it gently until the oil is absorbed into the skin.

Do this twice a day for 3 to 4 days to get rid of a shoe bite.

Method 9: Turmeric & Indian Lilac

Both turmeric and Indian Lilac (neem) are age-old remedies for skin healing. Both have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that not only heal the wound but also protect it from infections. Blend some Indian Lilac paste and turmeric powder to treat a shoe bite quickly.

Things you’ll need:

Things you'll need to treat shoe bite

  • Indian Lilac paste (antibacterial) – 1 tablespoon
  • Turmeric powder (anti-inflammatory) – 1 tablespoon

Step 1. Make a paste of Indian lilac and turmeric

Mix neem and turmeric to make a paste to treat a shoe bite
Mix neem and turmeric to make a paste
  • Put 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder in a bowl.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of Indian lilac paste.
  • Mix the two thoroughly. If needed, add in a few drops of water.

Step 2. Apply the paste on the shoe bite

Apply the paste on the shoe bite to treat a shoe bite
Apply the paste on the shoe bite
  • Apply the paste on the sore.
  • Let it sit for 20 minutes, then wash it off with warm water.
  • You can follow it with some coconut oil to keep the skin moisturized.

Do this twice a day for 3 to 4 days to heal the shoe bite completely.

Method 10: Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is another natural ingredient that helps get rid of a shoe bite. The clear gel derived from the aloe vera plant has a cooling effect on the skin, reducing the pain and burning of a shoe bite. It also helps keep the skin hydrated, thus aiding in the faster recovery of the sore.

Single-Step Method: Apply aloe vera gel on the shoe bite

Apply aloe vera gel several times a day to get rid of a shoe bite
Apply aloe vera gel several times a day to get rid of a shoe bite
  • Apply aloe vera gel on the shoe bite and let it dry completely.
  • You can choose whether or not you want to wash it off with cool water.

Reapply several times a day to get rid of a shoe bite.

Tips

  • Always try on shoes before buying them. Prevention is always better than the cure!
  • If nothing has worked for you, take the shoes back to the store where you bought them. Most merchants will fix your shoes for free.
  • You can also get your shoes resized by a professional shoe repair shop.
  • Keep your feet clean and dry to prevent developing an infection in the wounded area.
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