How to Identify and Avoid Problems With Your Child's Feet
Strong and healthy feet are essential for your child's development. Without healthy feet, your child will not be able to walk, run and play and they may be in pain. Unfortunately, when you have a small child, you have so many other things to worry about, and it can easy to forget about their feet. Below is a guide which will allow you to easily identify and avoid potential problems with your child's feet.
Examine your child's feet
You should establish a foot checking routine for your child. When you bathe your child, take a little time to examine their feet. Because you child will be relaxed in the warm bath, they are unlikely to wriggle and resist. You should inspect your child's feet for any abnormal lumps or bumps. Gently squeeze your child's foot, if they seem to wince in pain, this could be a sign that there is an internal problem with the muscle or bone. Also, remember that while playing children can sometimes scrape or cut their feet. If you notice any scrapes or cuts, you should wash and dress the area with a bandage to prevent infections.
Keep your child's feet clean and dry
Keeping your kid's feet clean and dry can help to prevent bacterial or fungal infections. Once you have inspected your child's feet in the bath, you should thoroughly wash them. After bath time, you should ensure that the feet are dry, paying particular attention to the area between the toes. Moisture between the toes can provide the ideal place for infections such as athlete's foot to develop.
Choose the right footwear
Incorrect or inappropriate footwear can cause problems with your child's feet. When choosing footwear, you shouldn't just focus on how pretty the shoes look, you should look for footwear that also supports your child's foot and ankle. Because children's feet grow at such a rapid rate, you should measure your child's feet every time you buy them new footwear. If you buy shoes which are too tight or small, this can lead to ingrown toenails, blisters and calluses. If you child appears to be in pain when wearing shoes they have worn for a while, or they keep taking their shoes off, this could be a sign that they have outgrown their current pair.
If you have any concerns about the health of your child's feet, you should book an appointment with a podiatrist, who will be able to offer an assessment and treatment.