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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:
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.
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