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Many adult foot problems have their beginnings in childhood and some are present at birth. Neglecting foot health can cause problems in other parts of the body, such as the legs and the back. Children with troublesome feet walk awkwardly and usually have poor posture. Preventive foot care and periodic professional examination can minimize these foot problems in later life.
The feet of young children are soft and pliable and feet grow rapidly during the first year of life, reaching almost half their adult foot size. This is why foot specialists consider the first year to be the most important in the development of the feet.
Here are some suggestions to help you assure that this development proceeds normally:
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Look carefully at your baby's feet. If you notice something that does not look normal to you, seek professional care immediately. Deformities will not be outgrown by themselves.
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Cover baby's feet loosely. Tight covers restrict movement and can retard normal development.
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Provide an opportunity for exercising the feet. Lying uncovered enables the baby to kick and perform other related motions which prepare the feet for weightbearing.
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Change the baby's position several times a day. Lying too long in one spot, especially on the stomach, can put excessive strain on the feet and legs.
When a child is physically and emotionally ready, the child will walk. It is not wise to force a child to walk. The age for independent walking ranges from 10 to 18 months. Shoes are not necessary indoors when a child first begins to walk. Allowing a child to go barefoot or to wear just socks helps the foot to grow normally and to develop strong
muscles. When walking outside or on rough surfaces, a child's feet should be protected in lightweight, flexible footwear made of natural materials.
As a child grows and the feet continue to develop, it may be necessary to change shoe and sock size every few months to allow room for the feet to grow. Improper or ill-fitting footwear can aggravate preexisting conditions. Shoes or other footwear should never be handed down from one child to another.
To maintain good foot health in children, here are a few simple things you should do:
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Bathe feet daily; dry them thoroughly.
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Check feet frequently for pain, corns, calluses, cracks, and other abnormalities. Changes and/or pain in the feet and ankles are not normal and could indicate a serious foot ailment or circulatory problem.
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Keep feet warm.
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Trim toenails straight across, slightly longer than the end of the toe.
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Wear properly fitting socks.
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Wear properly fitting, protective footwear.
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Walk __
once a child has started to walk, provide a safe area in which the
child can walk. Walking is the best exercise for feet.
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Seek medical attention at the first sign of an injury or infection in the foot or ankle. Self-treatment
is not always a good choice and can turn a minor problem into a major one.
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Prevent foot problems by
using these suggestions and by visiting your podiatrist as part of an annual health check-up. The podiatrist is a specialist who diagnoses and treats foot disorders and injuries medically and surgically. By visiting the podiatrist regularly, you can insure a lifetime of good health for your feet.
Foot problems can start early in life and contribute to pain in knees, hips, and lower back. Healthy feet are critical to a healthy productive life. |
