Pediatric Footcare: Foot Development in Infants

The first year of a child's life is considered to be the most important year of development by podiatrists.  A child's foot will grow rapidly during the first year; reaching about half of their adult foot size. Rapid growth combined with the complexity of the foot means your child's feet need extra special attention!

It is important to take special care of children's feet because their feet are soft and pliable and abnormal pressure can cause deformities.  Ignoring foot health in a child can lead to problems in other areas including the legs, back, and may cause problems with posture in the long run. A child who has an abnormal gait may retreat from social functions.  Be sure to contact your podiatrist if you notice anything unusual in the development of your child's feet. 

Tips to help foot development occur naturally in infants

• Provide exercise, lying uncovered allows the child to kick and move around which prepare the feet for weight bearing activities
• Change the baby's position several times a day
• Check your baby's feet often.  If you notice anything out of the ordinary, talk to your physician or podiatrist
• Cover the baby's feet loosely; tight blankets and covers restrict the baby's movements

If you notice any problems or abnormalities in your child's feet, don't hesitate to contact a podiatrist.  Call our office at 419-423-1888 or visit our website to request an appointment and learn more about foot health and development.  You can also check out our new Step Alive web center for more information about the services we offer.

KidsFest

Looking for something for you and your children to do together? Check out Time Warner Cable's KidsFest!  The event is scheduled for this evening, Thursday, July 19 from 2pm-8pm at Riverbend Park.  The event is full of educational and fun activities for your child to enjoy.  Best of all, the event is free!

KidsFest is going to have sports activities, arts and crafts, and snacks. Some of these activities are sure to spark an interest in sports in your child.  Take this opportunity to talk to your child about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.  This includes eating healthy and taking care of your body during sport's activities, including your feet! Here are some foot care tips to share with your child....

1.  Always make sure feet are clean and dry them thoroughly.  If feet sweat a lot, powder feet and change socks during the day.

2.  Trim toenails straight across.  This will help prevent ingrown toenails from occurring or recurring.

3.  Wear the proper shoes for your sport.  If your child is playing soccer, they should not be wearing a shoe made for playing tennis.

4.  Make sure your shoes fit!  Measure feet every time you shop (especially in children as their feet grow quickly) and try shoes on.  The shoe size is more of a guideline than a rule.

5. Don't walk barefoot in public places, like the pool or locker room, to avoid getting fungal infections. 

6. Don't ignore foot pain.  Foot pain is not normal!  If your child is experiencing foot pain he or she should see a podiatrist. 

If this conversation with your child leads to a confession of foot pain, don't hesitate to contact our office. Call us at 419-423-1888 or visit a website to set up an appointment.

Common Pediatric Foot Conditions

Children are more susceptible to some foot problems due to growth spurts and development.  There are some conditions that are common in children including ingrown toenails, flat feet, heel pain, and plantar warts.  This blog aims to help parents prevent or treat these conditions in their children.

1. Ingrown Toenails

• What Is It?
• According to Mayoclinic.com an ingrown toenail is a condition in which the corner or side of one of the toenails grows into the soft flesh of the skin.
• Prevention
• Cut toenails straight across
• Make sure shoes fit properly
• Treatment
• Lifting the nail
• Partially removing the nail
• Removing nail and tissue

2. Flat Feet

• What Is It?
• Your child has flat feet when the arch on the inside of the foot is flattened, allowing the entire foot to touch the floor when he or she stands up.
• Treatment
• Shoe Inserts
• Stretching Exercises
• In some cases, surgery

3. Heel Pain

• What Is It?
• Pain in the heels of the foot or feet.
• Prevention
• Properly fitted and supportive shoes
• Treatment
• Orthotics
• APC Injections
• Extra corporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

4. Plantar Warts

• What Is It?
• Plantar warts are noncancerous skin growths on the soles of your feet caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which enters your body through tiny cuts, breaks or other vulnerable sites on the skin of the feet.
• Prevention
• Avoid Direct Contact with warts
• Keep Feet Clean and Dry
• Don't Allow Children to go Barefoot in public areas
• Treatment
• Freezing
• Cantharidin
• Immunotherapy
• Minor Surgery
• Laser Treatment

If you suspect your child has any of these foot conditions, or one that is not mentioned above, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.  The sooner your child gets treatment the sooner the problem can be eradicated. Call our office at 419-423-1888 or visit our website to request an appointment.

Does Your Child Have an Ingrown Toenail?

Ingrown toenails are a very common podiatric ailment.  Some children are more prone to ingrown toenails than others due to heredity.  Other causes of ingrown toenails include improperly fitted shoes, improperly trimmed nails, and trauma to the feet as a result of normal activities.

Ingrown toenails are most common in the big toes and may be accompanied by pain, redness, swelling, odor, and drainage.  If you suspect your child may be suffering from an ingrown toenail do not try to remove it yourself.  An ingrown toenail should be treated by a podiatrist.  However, if you think the ingrown toenail may have caused an infection, soak your child's foot in warm salt water or soapy water.  Apply a bandage and antiseptic to the area after soaking.

You should contact a podiatrist immediately if you suspect your child has an ingrown toenail especially in the case of extreme redness or drainage. It is also especially important to seek medical attention if your child is diabetic or suffers from circulation problems.   The podiatrist will remove the ingrown portion of the toenail and may subscribe a medication. 

To prevent ingrown toenails in your child ...

• Trim toenails straigt across
• Make sure you child has properly fitted shoes; avoid pointed or narrow toeboxes
• Never rip or tear the edges of toenails

If you suspect your child is suffering from an ingrown toenail, contact our office at 419-423-1888 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.