Tips for Improving Children’s Foot Health
At Goldsmith Podiatry, we know the podiatric care that the youngest of our Manhattan patients receive can be an important predictor of the health of their feet as adults. We urge parents to be just as conscientious about taking care of their children’s feet and ankles as they are about all other aspects of their lives.
Here are some simple ways you can improve the health of your child’s feet:
For babies allow space for them to kick freely and do not confine feet with tight socks or shoes. Don’t force toddlers to take first steps; wait until they are ready on their own.
Check shoe size frequently. A young child’s foot can increase as much as half a size in six months or less. Improperly fitting footwear is one of the most frequent reasons for foot problems.
Establish a good podiatric hygiene routine for your child. Wash feet daily and put on clean socks each day. Change shoes and socks if feet get wet. Over time, your child will see that foot hygiene is important and will continue this habit on their own as they mature.
Keep nails trimmed and filed straight across. Young children often pick at their nails and are more likely than adults to develop ingrown toenails as a result.
Inspect your child’s feet every day. Look for skin rashes, toenail changes, growths, bruising, swelling, or lumps. If you notice anything unusual, contact our Upper West Side office by calling: (212) 877-1002 so that our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith or Dr. Rosanna Troia can examine your child’s feet and promptly diagnose any foot disorders.
Look for non-verbal cues that your child is experiencing foot pain: limping, a lack of desire to engage in physical play, walking on tiptoe, or another unusual gait.
Educate your child about the importance of not walking barefoot in public places like the school locker room or town pool. Teach your child not to share shoes, socks, towels, emery boards, or any items that touch other people’s feet. It will reduce the risk of fungal infections.
If your child participates in sports, make sure there are sufficient rest periods between practices and games. Don’t allow your child to be pressured to play if they have foot or ankle pain.
Taking good care of young feet now will help ensure a healthy and active life now and in the future. If you have questions about the health of your child’s feet, don’t hesitate to contact us.