| If the shoes feel off a bit, there are many ways to | | | | spacing, disperse the pressure on the toes in the box, |
| make them exactly the right fit. | | | | or on the wings. |
| If you check the Dr. Scholls (or some similar foot care | | | | Plastic wrap is great to put in between the tops of the |
| brand) area of a store you'll find all kinds of insoles, gel | | | | toes and your tights - you get a slide instead of the |
| soles, corn and blister pads and other things you can | | | | friction that rubs the weave of the tights into your skin. |
| cut up and put in your shoes, or on your toes, to make | | | | If you have a bruised toenail, it takes a while to go |
| a pointe shoe fit exactly. | | | | away. A podiatrist may be needed to cut into the nail |
| In fact, many professional ballerinas customize every | | | | and drain the fluid from beneath it. Then, you may |
| pair of shoes that they have. They develop all kinds of | | | | need a full sponge toe cover over the nail, and even a |
| tricks to make the shoes enhance their dancing. | | | | half size larger shoe, until the bruise has healed. |
| Heel grips can help the back of your pointe shoe if it | | | | In other words, use everything that is available to |
| seems a little wider than usual, even though the size is | | | | dance safely, and know that you can avoid dancing in |
| the same as a pair you had that was a perfect fit. | | | | pain. Especially if you have an exam or a |
| Gel soles can be cut up and glued into the shoe or | | | | performance, you do whatever you have to do to |
| around or in between your toes, to get the perfect toe | | | | dance your best. There is no rule against that. |