School shoes rubbing blisters

[Dancergirl]

Bought 11 year old dd a pair of Start-Rite black patent brogues from the Angry Angels range. They were properly fitted at a reputable shoe shop.

Two days in and they are rubbing the back of her ankles badly. We went back to the shop yesterday and they advised a proper ankle sock (rather than trainer sock) and said the leather should soften up with wear.

I spoke to Start-Rite direct today who said sometimes shoes need wearing in especially after the summer when children have been wearing sandals and trainers. But I've never had this before.

Dd is newly diagnosed ASD and we had big problems with her finding a pair of shoes that she was happy with and that were acceptable for school.

What would you do? Go back to the shop again and ask for a refund? Or give it a bit longer?

abba I don't think the shoes will fit with thicker socks.

I manipulated the back of dds shoes to soften them and she wore blister plasters. She also had an old pair of softer school shoes that she wore for a few days to let them heal

Agree with the suggestions above. I'd remove the heel grip as that's what's changing the fit. If she can wear other shoes while the blister heals that's probably helpful. Then put a new Compeed on before wearing the new shoes again as a preemptive measure (if DD will let you).

Possibly try wearing two pairs of thin socks instead of one pair. Two pairs can reduce rubbing and I've found it helpful in the past.

I have ASD too and I wore boys’ school shoes instead, as they were much comfier!

I think girls’ school shoes tend to be really impractical and uncomfortable generally and the same can be said for ladies’ smart shoes too!

If she isn’t bothered by how shoes are labelled according to gender I would seriously suggest getting her shoes from the boys’ section next time. If she doesn’t like the sound of that then maybe thicker socks could be worn or help her choose shoes from the girls’ that don’t aggravate any sensory issues or that are scratchy. I have no tips on how to get used to wearing ladies’ shoes unfortunately as to this day I still shop in the mens’ - I’m a size 8 which doesn’t help lol!

Hope this message has helped in some way :)

Sorry that is a lot of exclamation marks! 😂

I get blisters from shoes really easily but have found this stuff really helps. Only to prevent new blisters though so mightn't be much help to her at the minute. If she doesn't usually have problems with shoes rubbing then I would definitely try to return them and buy different ones
www.mollymojo.co.uk/family-health/first-aid/plasters-dressings/compeed-anti-blister-stick-8ml.html?fo_c=1573&fo_k=4c5a5289ceda440e077cf5450ea8973b&fo_s=gplauk&utm_source=NMPi&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=CJn69-iSp90CFQoJGwodvVwMRw&gclsrc=ds

My name always wrapped small potatoes in newspaper and stuffed one in the toe area of each new shoe overnight to stretch the shoe a little.worked wonders.

In this situation with my DD a few years ago (spd) I went and brought new shoes and gave the patents to the charity shop.

She can't cope with breaking in shoes and I'm not going to push it unless I have to.

Sympathies!

Sorry should read my nan

The point of wasting thick socks is to stretch the leather - I do this too with new shoes around the house.

You can also get a blunt knife and repeatedly rub the back of the heal over and over till it losens

I'd take them back op, it sounds like you've taken reasonable steps to make them more comfortable and it's not working.

Years of breaking in shoes here - my ankle is quite up and down at the back, and shoes generally curve in slightly.

Wet the leather, and add a little bit of soap as a PP said. Pull the leather repeatedly over a small rounded surface - end of a wooden broom handle is perfect, or a small bannister knob - to loosen. Push in from the back as well to loosen the stiff lining. Then thick socks on and blast with the hair dryer on the backs, then wear them about for a while. My mother occasionally crammed her feet into my shoes for half an hour or so when I was in my teens.

Thank you, some great tips here. But I can't help thinking this is a lot of effort to go to for an expensive pair of Start-Rite shoes that have supposedly been properly fitted and should fit well from the off. Or am I wrong?

They might fit but if the leather is stiff then it can rub sensitive skin. Dd had a pair from Clark's once that I did return as they ripped her heels to shreds in minutes. Her shoes from schuh are a bit softer than others she has had

If I feel for you, my DD has SPD & shoe shopping is a nightmare

Definitely zinc tape, plus give her a zinc supplement, easy blistering can be a sign or deficiency

If you want to keep the shoes & they are black, warm olive oil on a table spoon rubbed into the inside of the leather with the back of the spoon can help. Or a cobbler can help

The shoes will fit the foot but blisters on the ankle are common with leather shoes until they soften up. I run a student services department and can confirm I have given plasters to over ten children in the last 2 days alone.