Protect your feet: Balance shoe style, support

•Flats, slides and ballet slippers can cause arch and heel pain and pulling on the Achilles tendon. The solution? Try cushioned inserts for shock absorption. Select a sole that does not twist excessively.

•Flip flops and toe-ring sandals can cause irritation, callus and dead skin buildup around heels, and twisting of foot. The solution? Choose natural materials such as leather.

•Platforms can cause ankle sprains and knee, hip and lower back pain. The solution? Wear low platforms with secure straps. Avoid uneven terrain.

•Pointed toes and narrow, round toes can cause ingrown toenails and hammer toes. The solution? Prevent ingrown toenails by buying shoes that properly fit. Look for a shoe style with a deep toe box to avoid hammer toes.

•High heels, stilettos and wedge heels can cause pain on ball of the foot and ankle sprains. The solution? Use a padded insert to alleviate pressure on the ball of the foot. Try lower heels to reduce pressure.

•Strappy sandals, ankle straps and gladiator-style sandals cause irritation, blisters and ankle sprains. Straps can choke foot circulation. The solution? Wear a low, wide heel with a wide sole, such as a kitten heel, which allows more support and offers greater balance.