ByPodiatry Station

Foot Care for Children

Child Foot Care & Back-to-school Shoe Advice

Did you know that in just six months, your child’s feet can grow up to two sizes? This means it is important to choose the right shoes to account for this growth. When choosing the correct shoe size, make sure the shoe is around a 1cm longer than the longest toe. This will allow for growth and elongation of the foot when walking, keeping your child’s feet comfortable.

Tips and advice on child footcare:

1. It’s crucial to check for adequate cushioning and arch support in both new and old shoes to prevent the likelihood of your child having future foot conditions.
2. Shoes should be snug around the heel but not too tight or too loose to stop the likelihood of rubbing.
3. Toes should not be squashed from the top or sides, allowing the toes to move freely.
4. Your child’s shoes should be frequently checked for severe signs of wear on the inside or outside of the heel.
5. Inspect your children’s feet regularly. Look for irritated nails and red pressure marks on the tops of the toes’ joints. Also examine the area below the ankle bones and behind the heel to check for signs of rubbing and blisters.
6. There are certain types of shoes that are more likely to cause foot issues. For example, girl’s ballet style pumps should be avoided as they lack support to the inner border of the foot and provide no shock absorption.

Main foot conditions children experience

The most common foot conditions that children may experience are flat feet, toe walking, ingrown toenails, and verruca’s/warts.

Flat feet: Flat feet refers to a condition in which a child’s feet have little or no arch. Treatment is needed if discomfort is felt in the foot or leg which may create difficulties walking, or if one foot is flat compared to the other. This condition can be problematic since the inward bend of the ankles may result in the child developing weak ankles. However, this is a condition that frequently corrects itself.

Toe walking: Many toddlers suffer from this condition. This is where children continuously walk on their toes, but this habit usually disappears by the age of 3. Usually some stretching exercises are required to correct the muscle imbalance and or insoles in more severe cases.

Ingrown toenails: Ingrown toenails can affect anybody, regardless of age, although they are more common in children, particularly teenagers. This may be due to shoe wear, as a child’s growth spurts are more likely to result in tight-fitting shoes. We offer a range of ingrown toenail treatments at Podiatry Station. Read more of our treatments here.

Verruca’s/warts: Verruca’s are caused by a virus and can be spread through close skin contact. To prevent your child from getting a verruca make sure they don’t share items such as towels, socks or shoes and wear flip-flops in changing rooms and on the poolside. Most verrucae will eventually clear up without treatment. However, if the verruca does not disappear and it becomes painful then treatment is advised. Click here to find out how Swift Microwave Therapy can help.