Imagine your child’s first steps on a crisp autumn day, their tiny feet adjusting from the freedom of summer sandals to the confines of new school shoes. As they bounce off to school, their shoes might feel like a fortress compared to their summer footwear, and with this transition comes a whole new set of foot care challenges. As parents, understanding the intricacies of children’s foot health is not just beneficial but essential for ensuring their long-term well-being.
The Importance of Early Foot Care
Children’s feet are not just smaller versions of adult feet; they are still growing and developing. In fact, a child’s foot bones remain soft and malleable until they reach their late teens. According to a study published in Pediatrics, nearly 30% of children experience foot problems by the age of 16, with issues ranging from flat feet to ingrown toenails (Pediatrics). This highlights the importance of attentive foot care during these formative years.
Because a child’s foot bones are still growing, they’re softer and more vulnerable than an adult’s. They won’t be fully developed until the child reaches his or her late teens. That’s why focusing on foot health and obtaining expert foot care from a chiropodist is never more important than during the early years of your son or daughter’s life. Feet that are well looked after throughout childhood are less likely to cause problems later on.
Seasonal Changes and Foot Health
Autumn, with its return to school and new footwear, is a critical time for foot health. Children’s feet, accustomed to the freedom of summer, often face discomfort as they transition to more structured shoes. This seasonal shift can lead to common issues such as blisters, calluses, and fungal infections. Verrucae, or warts, are particularly prevalent as children start using communal changing rooms and PE facilities, where they can easily spread
Foot Health Tips for Parents
Instilling good foot care habits early on can have a lasting impact. Here are some essential tips:
- Regular Washing and Drying: Help your child wash their feet thoroughly and dry them completely, especially between the toes, to prevent fungal infections like athlete’s foot.
- Proper Nail Care: Trim toenails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails. Avoid rounding the edges, which can lead to discomfort and infections.
- Balanced Diet: Ensure your child’s diet includes calcium and vitamin D. Foods like milk, broccoli, and oily fish support healthy bone development
- Active Lifestyle: Encourage regular physical activity to strengthen muscles and tendons, which supports overall foot health.
Choosing the Right Shoes
Properly fitted shoes are crucial. Ensure that shoes are measured and fitted correctly, ideally at a professional shoe store. The Children’s Foot Health Register can tell you which local retailers offer that level of service.
We recommend that parents check whether their children’s shoes still fit every few weeks. When shoes are only about 5mm longer than your child’s longest toe, it’s time for a larger pair. Another tip is to help your child practise walking with their feet nice and straight.
Specialised Chiropody Services for Children
If you notice any problems such as discoloured toenails, persistent pain, or skin infections, consulting a chiropodist is wise. Our team at Feet By Pody offers comprehensive chiropody services in our five London clinics, including:
- Treating skin disorders
- Eradicating viral and fungal infections
- Removing dead skin cells
- Caring for infected wounds
- Trimming toenails
Expert Care for Flat Feet
In addition to general foot care for children, we provide specialised care to resolve problems caused by foot abnormalities. For example, if you’ve noticed that the soles of your son or daughter’s feet are flat instead of arched, our foot specialists can help.
Kids typically have flat feet until just over the age of five; arches should then appear. However, some children’s feet remain flat or develop arches only to lose them later. If your child still has flat feet and experiences foot pain, discomfort or stiffness, it’s important to seek professional advice. The same is true if he or she has knock knees, toes pointing inwards or outwards, shoes with very uneven wear or an unusual gait (i.e. manner of walking).
We recommend you book a gait analysis session if your child has any of the above issues. We’ll examine the distribution of pressure across the soles of the feet with the innovative GaitScan™ system, diagnose any problems and provide effective treatment. Treatment usually includes custom-made orthotics that support the feet and relieve pain.
Children’s Foot Treatment in London
Taking proactive steps in managing your child’s foot health can lead to fewer problems and healthier feet in the future. For expert foot care for your child from a London chiropodist, please call Feet By Pody today on 0207 099 6657 or book an appointment online.